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

May 30, 2018

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

 

 

SPIRIT MTA REIT

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   001-38414   82-6712510

(State or other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

2727 North Harwood Street, Suite 300

Dallas, Texas 75201

(Address of principal executive offices)

(972) 476-1900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing 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))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company  ☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Spin Agreements

On May 31, 2018, Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. (“SRC”) completed the previously announced spin-off of Spirit MTA REIT (the “Company”) through the taxable pro rata distribution of all of the outstanding common shares of beneficial interest of the Company to SRC’s holders of record as of the close of business on May 18, 2018, the record date of the distribution. Each holder of SRC common stock received one common share of SMTA for every ten shares of SRC common stock held as of the record date.

In connection with the completion of the spin-off, the Company entered into several agreements with SRC and certain of its subsidiaries that govern the relationship among the parties following the spin-off, including the following (collectively, the “Spin Agreements”):

 

    Asset Management Agreement

 

    Tax Matters Agreement

 

    Insurance Sharing Agreement

 

    Registration Rights Agreement

A summary of certain material terms of each of the Spin Agreements can be found in the sections entitled “Our Manager and Asset Management Agreement,” “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions—Tax Matters Agreement”, “—Insurance Sharing Agreement” and “—Registration Rights Agreement” of the Information Statement (the “Information Statement”) attached as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 6, 2018, as amended (the “Registration Statement”), and which is incorporated herein by reference. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Asset Management Agreement, Tax Matters Agreement, Insurance Sharing Agreement, and Registration Rights Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibits 10.1 through 10.4, respectively, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Indemnification Agreement

On or about May 30, 2018, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with each of the Company’s newly-appointed trustees (the “Indemnification Agreements”). The Indemnification Agreements require the Company to indemnify those individuals to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law. A summary of the Indemnification Agreements can be found in the section entitled “Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Declaration of Trust and Bylaws — Indemnification Agreements” of the Information Statement and is incorporated by reference herein. The form of Indemnification Agreement was included as Exhibit 10.1 to Amendment No. 2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed with the SEC on May 4, 2018.

 

Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

On May 31, 2018, in connection with and prior to the spin-off, Spirit Realty, L.P. (“SRLP”) and certain of its subsidiaries contributed to the Company the remaining assets of the Company not previously contributed. The Company’s combined financial statements included in the Information Statement are incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

On May 31, 2018, in connection with the spin-off, the Company issued 6,000,000 Series A preferred shares of beneficial interest to SRLP and one of its subsidiaries in consideration for the transfer of certain of the assets described in Item 2.01 above. The preferred shares issued to SRLP and its subsidiary were issued in reliance upon an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which exempts transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering. The offering was not a “public offering” because only two persons were involved in the transaction, none of the Company, SRLP or its subsidiary has engaged in general solicitation or advertising with regard to the issuance and the sale of the preferred shares, and none of the Company, SRLP or its subsidiary has offered securities to the public in connection with such issuance and sale of the preferred shares.


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

Changes to the Board of Trustees of the Company

On May 30, 2018, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Company increased the size of the Board from two to five members and elected Steven G. Panagos, Richard J. Stockton and Thomas J. Sullivan to the Board effective immediately for a term continuing until their respective successors have been duly appointed and qualified. The biographies of Messrs. Panagos, Stockton and Sullivan can be found in the section entitled “Management — Biographical Information for Non-Employee Trustees and Trustee Nominees” of the Information Statement and are incorporated by reference herein. There are no arrangements or understandings between Messrs. Panagos, Stockton or Sullivan and any other person pursuant to which any of them was selected as a trustee. Additionally, there are no transactions involving the Company and Messrs. Panagos, Stockton or Sullivan that the Company would be required to report pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. In connection with their elections, Messrs. Panagos, Stockton and Sullivan entered into an indemnification agreement with the Company, as described in Item 1.01 above.

On May 31, 2018, the Board appointed (i) Messrs. Stockton and Sullivan to join Steven H. Shepsman as members of the Audit Committee, (ii) Messrs. Panagos, Stockton and Sullivan to the Compensation Committee, and Mr. Sullivan as chairman of the Compensation Committee, and (iii) Messrs. Panagos, Shepsman and Sullivan to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Mr. Panagos as chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Stockton was appointed as the lead independent trustee and Jackson Hsieh was elected Chairman of the Board. The Board determined that each of Messrs. Panagos, Shespman, Stockton and Sullivan qualify as an independent trustee under the independence standards set forth in the rules and regulations of the SEC and the applicable listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), and that Messrs. Stockton and Sullivan satisfy the financial literacy and other requirements for audit committee members.

Spirit MTA REIT and Spirit MTA REIT, L.P. 2018 Incentive Award Plan

On May 31, 2018, the Spirit MTA REIT and Spirit MTA REIT, L.P. 2018 Incentive Award Plan (the “2018 Plan”) became effective in connection with the approval by the Company’s then sole common shareholder. A summary of certain material features of the 2018 Plan can be found in the section entitled “Management — Incentive Award Plan” of the Information Statement, which summary is incorporated by reference herein and qualified in its entirety to the 2018 Plan, a copy of which was previously filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed with the SEC on May 31, 2018 and is also incorporated into this Item 5.02 by reference. The foregoing summary is also qualified in its entirety by the form of Restricted Share Award Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.11 to Amendment No. 2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed with the SEC on May 4, 2018.

Non-Employee Trustee Compensation Program

As previously disclosed in the Information Statement, pursuant to the Company’s Non-Employee Trustee Compensation Program, each member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company, SRC or any of their respective affiliates and who was serving as a trustee as of May 31, 2018, the date of the spin-off, will be granted a restricted share award covering a number of the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest with a dollar-denominated value equal to $375,000. Each award will vest on the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the spin-off or (ii) the next meeting (rather than the next annual meeting) of the Company’s shareholders following the spin-off, subject to the trustee’s continued service.

The above disclosure is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company’s Non-Employee Trustee Compensation Program, attached hereto as Exhibit 10.8.

 

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

On May 31, 2018, the Company filed Articles Supplementary for 10.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Company. A description of the material provisions of the preferred shares can be found in the section entitled “Description of Shares — Preferred Shares” of the Information Statement, which is incorporated by reference herein. The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company’s Articles Supplementary for 10.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Company, attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1, which is incorporated herein by reference.


In connection with the spin-off, effective as of May 31, 2018, the Company amended and restated its declaration of trust (the “Articles of Amendment and Restatement”) and bylaws (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”). A description of the material provisions of the of the Articles of Amendment and Restatement and the Amended and Restated Bylaws can be found in the section entitled “Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Declaration of Trust and Bylaws” of the Information Statement, which is incorporated by reference herein. The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company’s Articles of Amendment and Restatement and Amended and Restated Bylaws, attached hereto as Exhibits 3.2 and 3.3, respectively, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events

On June 1, 2018, the Company issued a press release announcing the completion of the spin-off and the commencement of trading of the Company’s common shares on the NYSE. A copy of the Company’s press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit

    No.    

  

Exhibit

  3.1    Articles Supplementary for 10.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest of Spirit MTA REIT
  3.2    Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Spirit MTA REIT
  3.3    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Spirit MTA REIT
10.1    Asset Management Agreement between Spirit Realty, L.P. and Spirit MTA REIT
10.2    Tax Matters Agreement between Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. and Spirit MTA REIT
10.3    Insurance Sharing Agreement between Spirit Realty, L.P., Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. and Spirit MTA REIT
10.4    Registration Rights Agreement between Spirit Realty, L.P. and Spirit MTA REIT
10.5    Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Amendment No.  2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12B, as filed on May 4, 2018)
10.6    Spirit MTA REIT and Spirit MTA REIT, L.P. 2018 Incentive Award Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, as filed on May 31, 2018)
10.7    Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Amendment No.  2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12B, as filed on May 4, 2018)
10.8    Non-Employee Trustee Compensation Program
99.1    Press release dated June 1, 2018


SIGNATURE

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.

 

    Spirit MTA REIT
Date: June 5, 2018     By:  

/s/ Ricardo Rodriguez

    Name:   Ricardo Rodriguez
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Exhibit 3.1

SPIRIT MTA REIT

ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY

6,000,000

10.0% SERIES A CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

May 31, 2018

Spirit MTA REIT, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “ Trust ”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “ Department ”) that:

FIRST: Pursuant to the authority expressly vested in the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “ Board of Trustees ”) by Article VI of the declaration of trust of the Trust (as amended and supplemented to date and as may be amended and supplemented from time to time, the “ Declaration of Trust ”) and Title 8 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland (the “ Maryland REIT Law ”), the Board of Trustees, by resolutions duly adopted on or as of May 31, 2018, has authorized the classification and designation of up to 6,000,000 authorized but unissued preferred shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, of the Trust (“ Preferred Shares ”) as a separate series of Preferred Shares to be known as the “10.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest” and has set the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, transfers, qualifications, terms and conditions of redemption and other terms and conditions of such 10.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, and has authorized the issuance of up to 6,000,000 10.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest.

SECOND: The designation, number of shares, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, transfers, qualifications, terms and conditions of redemption and other terms and conditions of the separate series of Preferred Shares of the Trust designated as the 10.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest are as follows, which upon any restatement of the Declaration of Trust shall be made a part of or incorporated by reference into the Declaration of Trust with any necessary or appropriate changes to the enumeration or lettering of sections or subsections thereof:

Section 1. Designation and Number . A series of Preferred Shares, designated the “10.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest” (the “ Series A Preferred Shares ”), is hereby established. The number of Series A Preferred Shares initially shall be 6,000,000.

Section 2. Rank . The Series A Preferred Shares will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, rank: (a) senior to all classes or series of the Trust’s common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share (“ Common Shares ”), and all classes or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust now or hereafter authorized, issued or outstanding expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust; (b) on parity with any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust expressly designated as ranking on parity with the Series A Preferred Shares as to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust; and (c) junior to any class or series of shares of


beneficial interest of the Trust expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust. The term “shares of beneficial interest” does not include convertible or exchangeable debt securities, which will rank senior to the Series A Preferred Shares prior to conversion or exchange. The Series A Preferred Shares will also rank junior in right of payment to the Trust’s existing and future debt obligations.

Section 3. Dividends .

(a) Subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to dividends, the holders of shares of the Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by the Board of Trustees and declared by the Trust, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 10.0% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per Series A Preferred Share (equivalent to a fixed annual amount of $2.50 per Series A Preferred Share). Such dividends shall accrue and be cumulative from and including the first date on which any Series A Preferred Shares are issued (the “ Original Issue Date ”) and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on each Dividend Payment Date (as defined below), commencing June 30, 2018; provided, however, that if any Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day (as defined below), then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on such Dividend Payment Date may be paid, at the Trust’s option, on either the immediately preceding Business Day or the next succeeding Business Day, except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if paid on such Dividend Payment Date, and no interest or additional dividends or other sums shall accrue on the amount so payable from such Dividend Payment Date to such next succeeding Business Day. The amount of any dividend payable on the Series A Preferred Shares for any partial Dividend Period (as defined below) shall be prorated and computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear in the shareholder records of the Trust at the close of business on the applicable Dividend Record Date (as defined below). Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein, each outstanding Series A Preferred Share shall be entitled to receive a dividend with respect to any Dividend Record Date equal to the dividend paid with respect to each other Series A Preferred Share that is outstanding on such date. “ Dividend Record Date ” shall mean the date designated by the Board of Trustees for the payment of dividends that is not more than 35 or fewer than 10 days prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date. “ Dividend Payment Date ” shall mean the last calendar day of each March, June, September and December, commencing on June 30, 2018. “ Dividend Period ” shall mean the respective periods commencing on and including the first day of January, April, July and October of each year and ending on, and including, the last day of March, June, September and December (other than the initial Dividend Period, which shall commence on the Original Issue Date and end on and include June 30, 2018, and other than the Dividend Period during which any Series A Preferred Shares shall be redeemed pursuant to Section 5 or Section 6 hereof, which shall end on and include the day preceding the redemption date with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares being redeemed).

The term “ Business Day ” shall mean each day, other than a Saturday or a Sunday, which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

(b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares shall accrue whether or not the Trust has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends, and whether or not such dividends are authorized or declared.

 

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(c) Except as provided in Section 3(d) below, no dividends shall be declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment, and no other distribution of cash or other property may be declared and made, directly or indirectly, on or with respect to, any Common Shares or any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to dividends, on parity with or junior to the Series A Preferred Shares (other than a dividend paid in Common Shares or in any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon the Trust’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up) for any period, nor shall any Common Shares or any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon the Trust’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, on parity with or junior to the Series A Preferred Shares be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration, nor shall any funds be paid or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of such shares, and no other distribution of cash or other property may be made, directly or indirectly, on or with respect thereto by the Trust (except by conversion into or exchange for other class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon the Trust’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and except for the acquisition of shares made pursuant to the provisions of Article VII of the Declaration of Trust or Section 9 hereof), unless full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares for all past Dividend Periods shall have been or contemporaneously are (i) declared and paid in cash or (ii) declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof in cash is set apart for such payment.

(d) When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) on the Series A Preferred Shares and any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest ranking, as to dividends, on parity with the Series A Preferred Shares, all dividends declared upon the Series A Preferred Shares and each such other class or series of shares of beneficial interest ranking, as to dividends, on parity with the Series A Preferred Shares shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per Series A Preferred Share and such other class or series of shares of beneficial interest shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the Series A Preferred Shares and such other class or series of shares of beneficial interest (which shall not include any accrual in respect of unpaid dividends on such other class or series of shares of beneficial interest for prior Dividend Periods if such other class or series of shares of beneficial interest does not have a cumulative dividend) bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Series A Preferred Shares which may be in arrears.

(e) Holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or shares of beneficial interest, in excess of full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares as provided herein. Any dividend payment made on the Series A Preferred Shares shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividends due with respect to such shares which remain payable. Accrued but unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares will accumulate as of the Dividend Payment Date on which they first become payable.

Section 4. Liquidation Preference .

(a) Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, before any distribution or payment shall be made to holders of Common Shares or any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to rights upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, junior to the Series A Preferred Shares, the holders of

 

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Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Trust legally available for distribution to its shareholders, after payment of or provision for the debts and other liabilities of the Trust and, subject to compliance with section 7(f)(i) of these Articles Supplementary, any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to rights upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, senior to the Series A Preferred Shares, a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not authorized or declared) up to but excluding the date of payment. In the event that, upon such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the available assets of the Trust are insufficient to pay the full amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to rights upon the Trust’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, on parity with the Series A Preferred Shares in the distribution of assets, then the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and each such other class or series of shares of beneficial interest ranking, as to rights upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, on parity with the Series A Preferred Shares shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled. Written notice of any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, stating the payment date or dates when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable in such circumstances shall be payable, shall be given by first class mail, postage pre-paid, not fewer than 30 or more than 60 days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each record holder of Series A Preferred Shares at the respective addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the share transfer records of the Trust. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Trust. The consolidation or merger of the Trust with or into any other corporation, trust or entity, or the voluntary sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Trust, shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust.

(b) In determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation), by dividend, redemption or other acquisition of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust or otherwise, is permitted under Maryland law, amounts that would be needed, if the Trust were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall not be added to the Trust’s total liabilities.

Section 5. Redemption .

(a) Series A Preferred Shares shall not be redeemable prior to May 31, 2023 except as set forth in Section 6 hereof or to preserve the status of the Trust as a REIT (as defined in Section 9(a) hereof) for United States federal income tax purposes. In addition, the Series A Preferred Shares shall be subject to the provisions of Section 9 hereof pursuant to which Series A Preferred Shares owned by a shareholder in excess of the Series A Ownership Limit (as defined in Section 9(a) hereof) shall automatically be transferred to a Trust (as defined in Section 9(a) hereof) for the exclusive benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary (as defined in Section 9(a) hereof).

(b) On and after May 31, 2023, the Trust, at its option, upon not fewer than 30 or more than 60 days’ written notice, may redeem the Series A Preferred Shares, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not authorized or declared) thereon up to but not including the date fixed for redemption, without interest, to the extent the Trust has funds legally available therefor (the “ Redemption

 

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Right ”). If fewer than all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares are to be redeemed, the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall be redeemed pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional shares) or by lot as determined by the Trust. If redemption is to be by lot and, as a result, any holder of Series A Preferred Shares would have actual ownership, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership (each as defined in Section 9(a) hereof) in excess of the Series A Ownership Limit, the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit (as defined in Section 9(a) hereof), or such other limit as permitted by the Board of Trustees or a committee thereof pursuant to Section 9(b)(vii) hereof, because such holder’s Series A Preferred Shares were not redeemed, or were only redeemed in part, then, except as otherwise provided in the Declaration of Trust, the Trust shall redeem the requisite number of Series A Preferred Shares of such holder such that no holder will hold an amount of Series A Preferred Shares in excess of the applicable ownership limit, subsequent to such redemption. Holders of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall surrender such Series A Preferred Shares at the place, or in accordance with the book-entry procedures, designated in such notice and shall be entitled to the redemption price of $25.00 per share and any accrued and unpaid dividends payable upon such redemption following such surrender. If (i) notice of redemption of any Series A Preferred Shares has been given (in the case of a redemption of the Series A Preferred Shares other than to preserve the status of the Trust as a REIT), (ii) the funds necessary for such redemption have been set aside by the Trust in trust for the benefit of the holders of any Series A Preferred Shares so called for redemption, and (iii) irrevocable instructions have been given to pay the redemption price and all accrued and unpaid dividends, then from and after the redemption date, dividends shall cease to accrue on such Series A Preferred Shares, such Series A Preferred Shares shall no longer be deemed outstanding, and all rights of the holders of such shares shall terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price plus any accrued and unpaid dividends payable upon such redemption, without interest. So long as full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares for all past Dividend Periods shall have been or contemporaneously are (i) declared and paid in cash, or (ii) declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof in cash is set apart for payment, nothing herein shall prevent or restrict the Trust’s right or ability to purchase, from time to time, either at a public or a private sale, all or any part of the Series A Preferred Shares at such price or prices as the Trust may determine, subject to the provisions of applicable law, including the repurchase of Series A Preferred Shares in open-market transactions duly authorized by the Board of Trustees.

(c) The Trust may, at any time, redeem any or all of the Series A Preferred Shares to preserve the status of the Trust as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in which case such redemption shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 5 of these Articles Supplementary. If the Trust calls for redemption of any Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to and in accordance with this Section 5(c), then the redemption price for such shares will be an amount in cash equal to $25.00 per share together with all accrued and unpaid dividends to but excluding the dated fixed for redemption.

(d) Unless full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares for all past Dividend Periods shall have been or contemporaneously are (i) declared and paid in cash, or (ii) declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof in cash is set apart for payment, no Series A Preferred Shares shall be redeemed pursuant to the Redemption Right or Special Optional Redemption Right (defined below) unless all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares are simultaneously redeemed, and the Trust shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any Series A Preferred Shares or any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, on parity with or junior to the Series A Preferred Shares (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, junior

 

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to the Series A Preferred Shares); provided , however , that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase of Series A Preferred Shares, or any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, on parity with or junior to the Series A Preferred Shares, by the Trust in accordance with the terms of Sections 5(c) and 9 of these Articles Supplementary or otherwise, in order to ensure that the Trust remains qualified as a REIT for United States federal income tax purposes, or the purchase or acquisition of Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares.

(e) Notice of redemption pursuant to the Redemption Right will be mailed by the Trust, postage prepaid, not fewer than 30 or more than 60 days prior to the redemption date, addressed to the respective holders of record of the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed at their respective addresses as they appear on the transfer records of the Trust. No failure to give or defect in such notice shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any Series A Preferred Shares except as to the holder to whom such notice was defective or not given. In addition to any information required by law or by the applicable rules of any exchange upon which the Series A Preferred Shares may be listed or admitted to trading, each such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the redemption price; (iii) the number of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed; (iv) the place or places where the certificates, if any, representing Series A Preferred Shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (v) procedures for surrendering noncertificated Series A Preferred Shares for payment of the redemption price; (vi) that dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on such redemption date; and (vii) that payment of the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid dividends will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Series A Preferred Shares. If fewer than all of the Series A Preferred Shares held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to such holder shall also specify the number of Series A Preferred Shares held by such holder to be redeemed. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary in these Articles Supplementary, the Trust shall not be required to provide notice to the holder of Series A Preferred Shares in the event such holder’s Series A Preferred Shares are redeemed in accordance with Sections 5(c) and 9 of these Articles Supplementary to preserve the Trust’s status as a REIT.

(f) If a redemption date falls after a Dividend Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, each holder of Series A Preferred Shares at the close of business of such Dividend Record Date shall be entitled to the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of such shares on or prior to such Dividend Payment Date, and each holder of Series A Preferred Shares that surrenders its shares on such redemption date will be entitled to the dividends accruing after the end of the Dividend Period to which such Dividend Payment Date relates up to but excluding the redemption date. Except as provided herein, the Trust shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on Series A Preferred Shares for which a notice of redemption has been given.

(g) All Series A Preferred Shares redeemed or repurchased pursuant to this Section 5, or otherwise acquired in any other manner by the Trust, shall be retired and shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued Preferred Shares, without designation as to series or class.

(h) The Series A Preferred Shares shall have no stated maturity and shall not be subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption; provided , however , that the Series A Preferred Shares owned by a shareholder in excess of the applicable ownership limit shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 5 and Section 9 of these Articles Supplementary.

 

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Section 6. Special Optional Redemption by the Trust .

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below), the Trust will have the option upon written notice mailed by the Trust, postage pre-paid, no fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date and addressed to the holders of record of the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed at their respective addresses as they appear on the share transfer records of the Trust, to redeem the Series A Preferred Shares, in whole or in part within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, for cash at $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date (“ Special Optional Redemption Right ”). No failure to give such notice or any defect thereto or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any Series A Preferred Shares except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given. If, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined below), the Trust has provided or provides notice of redemption with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares (whether pursuant to the Redemption Right or the Special Optional Redemption Right), the holders of Series A Preferred Shares will not have the conversion right described below in Section 8 of these Articles Supplementary.

A “ Change of Control ” is when, after the original issuance of the Series A Preferred Shares, the following have occurred and are continuing:

(i) the acquisition by any person, including any syndicate or group deemed to be a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition transaction or series of purchases, mergers or other acquisition transactions of shares of the Trust entitling that person to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of all shares of beneficial interest of the Trust entitled to vote generally in the election of the Trust’s trustees (except that such person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition); and

(ii) following the closing of any transaction referred to in (i) above, neither the Trust nor the acquiring or surviving entity has a class of common securities (or American Depositary Receipts representing such securities) listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “ NYSE ”), the NYSE American (the “ NYSE American ”), or the NASDAQ Stock Market (“ NASDAQ ”), or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to the NYSE, the NYSE American or NASDAQ.

(b) In addition to any information required by law or by the applicable rules of any exchange upon which the Series A Preferred Shares may be listed or admitted to trading, such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the redemption price; (iii) the number of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed; (iv) the place or places where the certificates, if any, representing Series A Preferred Shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (v) procedures for surrendering noncertificated Series A Preferred Shares for payment of the redemption price; (vi) that dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on the redemption date; (vii) that payment of the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid dividends will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Series A Preferred Shares; (viii) that the Series A Preferred Shares are being redeemed pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right in connection with the occurrence of a Change of Control and a brief description of the transaction or transactions constituting such Change of Control; and (ix) that holders of the Series A Preferred Shares to which the notice relates will not be able to tender such Series A Preferred Shares for conversion in connection with the Change of Control and each Series A

 

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Preferred Share tendered for conversion that is selected, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, for redemption will be redeemed on the related redemption date instead of converted on the Change of Control Conversion Date. If fewer than all of the Series A Preferred Shares held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to such holder shall also specify the number of Series A Preferred Shares held by such holder to be redeemed.

If fewer than all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares are to be redeemed, the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall be redeemed pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional shares) or by lot as determined by the Trust. If such redemption pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right is to be by lot and, as a result, any holder of Series A Preferred Shares would have actual ownership, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership in excess of the Series A Ownership Limit, the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, or such limit as permitted by the Board of Trustees or a committee thereof pursuant to Section 9(b)(vii) hereof, because such holder’s Series A Preferred Shares were not redeemed, or were only redeemed in part then, except as otherwise provided in the Declaration of Trust, the Trust shall redeem the requisite number of Series A Preferred Shares of such holder such that no holder will hold an amount of Series A Preferred Shares in excess of the applicable ownership limit, subsequent to such redemption.

(c) If the Trust has given a notice of redemption pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right and has set aside sufficient funds for the redemption in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date, those Series A Preferred Shares will be treated as no longer being outstanding, no further dividends will accrue and all other rights of the holders of those Series A Preferred Shares will terminate. The holders of those Series A Preferred Shares will retain their right to receive the redemption price for their shares and any accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the redemption date, without interest. So long as full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares for all past Dividend Periods shall have been or contemporaneously are (i) declared and paid in cash, or (ii) declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof in cash is set apart for payment, nothing herein shall prevent or restrict the Trust’s right or ability to purchase, from time to time, either at a public or a private sale, all or any part of the Series A Preferred Shares at such price or prices as the Trust may determine, subject to the provisions of applicable law, including the repurchase of Series A Preferred Shares in open-market transactions duly authorized by the Board of Trustees.

(d) The holders of Series A Preferred Shares at the close of business on a Dividend Record Date will be entitled to receive the dividend payable with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of the Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right between such Dividend Record Date and the corresponding Dividend Payment Date or the Trust’s default in the payment of the dividend due. Except as provided herein, the Trust shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on Series A Preferred Shares for which a notice of redemption pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right has been given.

(e) All Series A Preferred Shares redeemed or repurchased pursuant to this Section 6, or otherwise acquired in any other manner by the Trust, shall be retired and shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued Preferred Shares, without designation as to series or class.

Section 7. Voting Rights .

(a) Holders of the Series A Preferred Shares shall not have any voting rights, except as set forth in this Section 7.

 

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(b) Whenever dividends on any Series A Preferred Shares shall be in arrears for six or more consecutive or non-consecutive quarterly periods (a “ Preferred Dividend Default ”), the holders of such Series A Preferred Shares (voting separately as a class together with holders of all other classes or series of Preferred Shares of the Trust ranking on parity with the Series A Preferred Shares with respect to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon the Trust’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (“ Parity Preferred ”)) shall be entitled to vote for the election of a total of two additional trustees of the Trust (the “ Preferred Trustees ”) until all dividends accumulated on such Series A Preferred Shares and Parity Preferred for the past Dividend Periods shall have been fully paid. In such case, the entire Board of Trustees will be increased by two trustees.

(c) The Preferred Trustees will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the election for a one-year term and each Preferred Trustee will serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies or until such Preferred Trustee’s right to hold the office terminates, whichever occurs earlier, subject to such Preferred Trustee’s earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. The election will take place at (i) either (A) a special meeting called in accordance with Section 7(d) below if the request is received more than 90 days before the date fixed for the Trust’s next annual or special meeting of shareholders or (B) the next annual or special meeting of shareholders if the request is received within 90 days of the date fixed for the Trust’s next annual or special meeting of shareholders, and (ii) at each subsequent annual meeting of shareholders, or special meeting held in place thereof, until all such dividends in arrears on the Series A Preferred Shares and each such class or series of outstanding Parity Preferred have been paid in full. A dividend in respect of Series A Preferred Shares shall be considered timely made if made within two Business Days after the applicable Dividend Payment Date if at the time of such late payment date there shall not be any prior quarterly Dividend Periods in respect of which full dividends were not timely made at the applicable Dividend Payment Date.

(d) At any time when such voting rights shall have vested, a proper officer of the Trust shall call or cause to be called, upon written request of holders of record of at least 10% of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and Parity Preferred, a special meeting of the holders of Series A Preferred Shares and each class or series of Parity Preferred by mailing or causing to be mailed to such holders a notice of such special meeting to be held not fewer than ten or more than 45 days after the date such notice is given. The record date for determining holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and Parity Preferred entitled to notice of and to vote at such special meeting will be the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the day on which such notice is mailed. At any such annual or special meeting, all of the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and Parity Preferred, by plurality vote, voting together as a single class without regard to class or series will be entitled to elect two trustees on the basis of one vote per $25.00 of liquidation preference to which such Series A Preferred Shares and Parity Preferred are entitled by their terms (excluding amounts in respect of accumulated and unpaid dividends) and not cumulatively. The holder or holders of one-third of the Series A Preferred Shares and Parity Preferred voting as a single class then outstanding, present in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the election of the Preferred Trustees except as otherwise provided by law. Notice of all meetings at which holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and the Parity Preferred shall be entitled to vote will be given to such holders at their addresses as they appear in the transfer records. At any such meeting or adjournment thereof in the absence of a quorum, subject to the provisions of any applicable law, a majority of the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and Parity Preferred voting as a single class present in person or by proxy shall have the power to adjourn the meeting for the election of the Preferred Trustees, without notice other than

 

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an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. If a Preferred Dividend Default shall terminate after the notice of a special meeting has been given but before such special meeting has been held, the Trust shall, as soon as practicable after such termination, mail or cause to be mailed notice of such termination to holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and the Parity Preferred that would have been entitled to vote at such special meeting.

(e) If and when all accumulated dividends on such Series A Preferred Shares and all classes or series of Parity Preferred for the past Dividend Periods shall have been fully paid, the right of the holders of Series A Preferred Shares and the Parity Preferred to elect such additional two trustees shall immediately cease (subject to revesting in the event of each and every Preferred Dividend Default), and the term of office of each Preferred Trustee so elected shall terminate and the entire Board of Trustees shall be reduced accordingly. Any Preferred Trustee may be removed at any time with or without cause by the vote of, and shall not be removed otherwise than by the vote of, the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and the Parity Preferred entitled to vote thereon when they have the voting rights set forth in Section 7(b) hereof (voting as a single class). So long as a Preferred Dividend Default shall continue, any vacancy in the office of a Preferred Trustee may be filled by written consent of the Preferred Trustee remaining in office, or if none remains in office, by a vote of the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares when they have the voting rights described above (voting as a single class with all other classes or series of Parity Preferred). Each of the Preferred Trustees shall be entitled to one vote on any matter.

(f) So long as any Series A Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of two-thirds of the Series A Preferred Shares and each other class or series of Parity Preferred outstanding at the time, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting (voting together as a single class) will be required to: (i) authorize, create or issue, or increase the number of authorized or issued shares of, any class or series of shares of beneficial interest ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Shares with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust (collectively, “ Senior Shares of Beneficial Interest ”) or reclassify any authorized shares of beneficial interest of the Trust into such shares of beneficial interest, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such Senior Shares of Beneficial Interest; or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Declaration of Trust, including the terms of the Series A Preferred Shares, whether by merger, consolidation, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of its assets or otherwise (an “ Event ”), so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series A Preferred Shares; provided however , with respect to the occurrence of any of the Events set forth in (ii) above, so long as the Series A Preferred Shares remain outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, taking into account that, upon the occurrence of an Event set forth in (ii) above, the Trust may not be the surviving entity, the occurrence of such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of Series A Preferred Shares, and in such case such holders shall not have any voting rights with respect to the occurrence of any of the Events set forth in (ii) above. In addition, if the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares receive the greater of the full trading price of the Series A Preferred Shares on the date of an Event set forth in (ii) above or the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of the Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to the occurrence of any of the Events set forth in (ii) above, then such holders shall not have any voting rights with respect to the Events set forth in (ii) above. If any Event set forth in (ii) above would materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series A Preferred Shares disproportionately relative to other classes or series of Parity Preferred, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class, will also be required.

 

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Holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to vote with respect to (A) any increase in the total number of authorized Common Shares or Preferred Shares of the Trust, or (B) any increase in the number of authorized Series A Preferred Shares or the creation or issuance of any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest, or (C) any increase in the number of authorized shares of any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest, in each case referred to in clause (A), (B) or (C) above ranking on parity with or junior to the Series A Preferred Shares with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust. Except as set forth herein, holders of the Series A Preferred Shares shall not have any voting rights with respect to, and the consent of the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares shall not be required for, the taking of any corporate action, including an Event, regardless of the effect that such corporate action or Event may have upon the powers, preferences, voting power or other rights or privileges of the Series A Preferred Shares.

(g) The foregoing voting provisions of this Section 7 shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice pursuant to these Articles Supplementary, and sufficient funds, in cash, shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

(h) In any matter in which the Series A Preferred Shares may vote (as expressly provided herein), each Series A Preferred Share shall be entitled to one vote per $25.00 of liquidation preference.

Section 8. Conversion . The Series A Preferred Shares are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Trust, except as provided in this Section 8.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Series A Preferred Shares (other than Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. or one or more of its affiliates, collectively, the “ Specified Holder ”) shall have the right, unless, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, the Trust has provided or provides notice of its election to redeem the Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to the Redemption Right or Special Optional Redemption Right, to convert some or all of the Series A Preferred Shares held by such holder (the “ Change of Control Conversion Right ”) on the Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of Common Shares per Series A Preferred Share to be converted (the “ Common Shares Conversion Consideration ”) equal to the lesser of (A) the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of (x) the $25.00 liquidation preference per Series A Preferred Share to be converted plus (y) the amount of any accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the Change of Control Conversion Date (unless the Change of Control Conversion Date is after a Dividend Record Date and prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, in which case no additional amount for such accrued and unpaid dividends will be included in such sum) by (ii) the Common Share Price (as defined herein) and (B) 3.3333 (the “ Share Cap ”), subject to the immediately succeeding paragraph.

The Share Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any share splits (including those effected pursuant to a distribution of the Common Shares), subdivisions or combinations (in each case, a “ Share Split ”) with respect to the Common Shares as follows: the adjusted Share Cap as the result of a Share Split shall be the number of Common Shares that is equivalent to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the Share Cap in effect immediately prior to such Share Split by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Common Shares outstanding after giving effect to such Share Split and the denominator of which is the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to such Share Split.

 

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For the avoidance of doubt, subject to the immediately succeeding sentence, the aggregate number of Common Shares (or equivalent Alternative Conversion Consideration (as defined below), as applicable) issuable in connection with the exercise of the Change of Control Conversion Right shall not exceed 19,999,800 Common Shares (or equivalent Alternative Conversion Consideration, as applicable) (the “ Exchange Cap ”). The Exchange Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any Share Splits on the same basis as the corresponding adjustment to the Share Cap.

In the case of a Change of Control pursuant to which Common Shares shall be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets (including any combination thereof) (the “ Alternative Form Consideration ”), a holder of Series A Preferred Shares shall receive upon conversion of such Series A Preferred Shares the kind and amount of Alternative Form Consideration which such holder would have owned or been entitled to receive upon the Change of Control had such holder held a number of Common Shares equal to the Common Shares Conversion Consideration immediately prior to the effective time of the Change of Control (the “ Alternative Conversion Consideration ”; and the Common Shares Conversion Consideration or the Alternative Conversion Consideration, as may be applicable to a Change of Control, shall be referred to herein as the “ Conversion Consideration ”).

In the event that holders of Common Shares have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in the Change of Control, the Conversion Consideration will be deemed to be the kind and amount of consideration actually received by holders of a majority of the Common Shares that voted for such an election (if electing between two types of consideration) or holders of a plurality of the Common Shares that voted for such an election (if electing between more than two types of consideration), as the case may be, and will be subject to any limitations to which all holders of Common Shares are subject, including, without limitation, pro rata reductions applicable to any portion of the consideration payable in the Change of Control.

The “ Change of Control Conversion Date ” shall be a Business Day set forth in the notice of Change of Control provided in accordance with Section 8(c) below that is no less than 20 days nor more than 35 days after the date on which the Trust provides such notice pursuant to Section 8(c).

The “ Common Shares Price ” shall be (i) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by the holders of Common Shares is solely cash, the amount of cash consideration per Common Share or (ii) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by holders of Common Shares is other than solely cash (x) the average of the closing sale prices per Common Share (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices) for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the effective date of the Change of Control as reported on the principal U.S. securities exchange on which the Common Shares are then traded, or (y) the average of the last quoted bid prices for the Common Shares in the over-the-counter market as reported by Pink Sheets LLC or similar organization for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the effective date of the Change of Control, if the Common Shares are not then listed for trading on a U.S. securities exchange.

(b) No fractional Common Shares shall be issued upon the conversion of Series A Preferred Shares. In lieu of fractional shares, holders shall be entitled to receive the cash value of such fractional shares based on the Common Shares Price.

(c) Within 15 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control, a notice of occurrence of the Change of Control, describing the resulting Change of Control Conversion Right, shall be delivered to the holders of record of the Series A Preferred Shares at their addresses as they appear on the Trust’s

 

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share transfer records and notice shall be provided to the Trust’s transfer agent. No failure to give such notice or any defect thereto or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the conversion of any Series A Preferred Shares except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given. Each notice shall state: (i) the events constituting the Change of Control; (ii) the date of the Change of Control; (iii) the last date on which the holders of Series A Preferred Shares may exercise their Change of Control Conversion Right; (iv) the method and period for calculating the Common Shares Price; (v) the Change of Control Conversion Date; (vi) that if, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, the Trust has provided or provides notice of its election to redeem all or any portion of the Series A Preferred Shares, the holder will not be able to convert Series A Preferred Shares designated for redemption and such Series A Preferred Shares shall be redeemed on the related redemption date, even if they have already been tendered for conversion pursuant to the Change of Control Conversion Right; (vii) if applicable, the type and amount of Alternative Conversion Consideration entitled to be received per Series A Preferred Share; (viii) the name and address of the paying agent and the conversion agent; and (ix) the procedures that the holders of Series A Preferred Shares must follow to exercise the Change of Control Conversion Right.

(d) The Trust shall issue a press release for publication on the Dow Jones & Company, Inc., Business Wire, PR Newswire or Bloomberg Business News (or, if such organizations are not in existence at the time of issuance of such press release, such other news or press organization as is reasonably calculated to broadly disseminate the relevant information to the public), or post notice on the Trust’s website, in any event prior to the opening of business on the first Business Day following any date on which the Trust provides notice pursuant to Section 8(c) above to the holders of Series A Preferred Shares.

(e) In order to exercise the Change of Control Conversion Right, a holder of Series A Preferred Shares shall be required to deliver, on or before the close of business on the Change of Control Conversion Date, the certificates (if any) representing the Series A Preferred Shares to be converted, duly endorsed for transfer, together with a written conversion notice completed, to the Trust’s transfer agent. Such notice shall state: (i) the relevant Change of Control Conversion Date; (ii) the number of Series A Preferred Shares to be converted; and (iii) that the Series A Preferred Shares are to be converted pursuant to the applicable provisions of these Articles Supplementary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Series A Preferred Shares are held in global form, such notice shall comply with applicable procedures of The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”).

(f) Holders of Series A Preferred Shares may withdraw any notice of exercise of a Change of Control Conversion Right (in whole or in part) by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Trust’s transfer agent prior to the close of business on the Business Day prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date. The notice of withdrawal must state: (i) the number of withdrawn Series A Preferred Shares; (ii) if certificated Series A Preferred Shares have been issued, the certificate numbers of the shares of withdrawn Series A Preferred Shares; and (iii) the number of Series A Preferred Shares, if any, which remain subject to the conversion notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Series A Preferred Shares are held in global form, the notice of withdrawal shall comply with applicable procedures of DTC.

(g) Series A Preferred Shares as to which the Change of Control Conversion Right has been properly exercised and for which the conversion notice has not been properly withdrawn shall be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration in accordance with the Change of Control Conversion Right on the Change of Control Conversion Date, unless, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, the Trust has provided or provides notice of its election to redeem such Series A

 

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Preferred Shares, whether pursuant to its Redemption Right or Special Optional Redemption Right. If the Trust elects to redeem Series A Preferred Shares that would otherwise be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration on a Change of Control Conversion Date, such Series A Preferred Shares shall not be so converted and the holders of such shares shall be entitled to receive on the applicable redemption date $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.

(h) The Trust shall deliver the applicable Conversion Consideration no later than the third Business Day following the Change of Control Conversion Date.

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no holder of Series A Preferred Shares will be entitled to convert such Series A Preferred Shares into Common Shares to the extent that receipt of such Common Shares would cause the holder of such Common Shares (or any other person) to have actual ownership, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership (each as defined in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust) of Common Shares of the Trust in excess of the Common Share Ownership Limit (as defined in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust), the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit (as defined in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust), or such other limit as permitted by the Board of Trustees or a committee thereof pursuant to Section 7.2.7 of the Declaration of Trust.

Section 9. Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of Shares .

(a) Definitions . For the purposes of Section 5 and this Section 9 of these Articles Supplementary, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Aggregate Share Ownership Limit ” has the meaning set forth in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust.

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

Business Day ” has the meaning set forth in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust.

Charitable Beneficiary ” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Charitable Trust as determined pursuant to Section 9(c)(vi), provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

Charitable Trust ” shall mean any trust provided for in Section 9(c)(i).

Charitable Trustee ” shall mean the Person unaffiliated with the Trust and any Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Trust to serve as trustee of the Charitable Trust.

Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute.

 

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

Equity Shares ” has the meaning set forth in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust.

Excepted Holder ” shall mean a shareholder of the Trust for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Board of Trustees pursuant to Section 9(b)(vii).

Excepted Holder Limit ” shall mean for each Excepted Holder, the percentage limit established by the Board of Trustees for such Excepted Holder pursuant to Section 9(b)(vii), which limit may be expressed, in the discretion of the Board of Trustees, as one or more percentages and/or numbers of Equity Shares, and may apply with respect to one or more classes of Equity Shares or to all classes of Equity Shares in the aggregate, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with any requirements established by the Board of Trustees pursuant to Section 9(b)(vii) and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9(b)(viii).

Individual ” means an individual, a trust qualified under Section 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code, a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, or a private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, provided that, except as set forth in Section 856(h)(3)(A)(ii) of the Code, a trust described in Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code shall be excluded from this definition.

Initial Date ” has the meaning set forth in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust.

Market Price ” on any date shall mean, with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares, the Closing Price for the Series A Preferred Shares on such date. The “ Closing Price ” on any date shall mean the last sale price for the Series A Preferred Shares, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for the Series A Preferred Shares, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or, if the Series A Preferred Shares is not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Series A Preferred Shares is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Series A Preferred Shares is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system on which the Series A Preferred Shares is quoted, or if the Series A Preferred Shares is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Series A Preferred Shares selected by the Board of Trustees or, in the event that no trading price is available for the Series A Preferred Shares, the fair market value of the Series A Preferred Shares, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.

NYSE ” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.

Person ” shall mean an Individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust, association, joint stock company or other entity.

 

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Prohibited Owner ” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 9(b)(i), would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Series A Preferred Shares, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

REIT ” shall mean a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.

Restriction Termination Date ” shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Board of Trustees determines pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Declaration of Trust that it is no longer in the best interests of the Trust to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of Series A Preferred Shares set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Trust to qualify as a REIT.

Series A Ownership Limit ” shall mean 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, and subject to adjustment from time to time by the Board of Trustees in accordance with Section 9(b)(viii)) of the aggregate of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares, excluding any such outstanding Series A Preferred Shares which are not treated as outstanding for federal income tax purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining the percentage ownership of Series A Preferred Shares by any Person, Series A Preferred Shares that are treated as Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned by such Person shall be deemed to be outstanding. The number and value of outstanding Series A Preferred Shares of the Trust shall be determined by the Board of Trustees in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.

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

(b) Series A Preferred Shares .

(i) Ownership Limitations . During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, but subject to Section 9(d):

(A) Basic Restrictions .

(i) The Series A Preferred Shares constitute a class or series of Preferred Shares, and Preferred Shares constitute Equity Shares of the Trust. Therefore, the Series A Preferred Shares, being Equity Shares, shall be subject to the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit applicable with respect to Equity Shares generally and all other restrictions and limitations on the Transfer and ownership of Equity Shares set forth in the Declaration of Trust and applicable to Equity Shares. In addition, (1) no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Series A Preferred Shares in excess of the Series A Ownership Limit and (2) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Series A Preferred Shares in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.

 

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(ii) No Person shall Beneficially or Constructively Own Series A Preferred Shares to the extent that, taking into account other Equity Shares of the Trust Beneficially or Constructively Owned by such Person, such Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Series A Preferred Shares could result in the Trust (or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Trust that intends to qualify as a REIT) (A) being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or (B) otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including but not limited to Beneficial or Constructive Ownership that could result in the Trust Constructively Owning an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Trust from such tenant, taking into account any other income of the Trust that would not qualify under the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code, would cause the Trust to fail to satisfy any of such gross income requirements).

(iii) Any Transfer of Series A Preferred Shares that, if effective, would result in the Equity Shares being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Series A Preferred Shares.

Without limitation of the application of any other provision of this Section 9, it is expressly intended that the restrictions on ownership and Transfer described in this Section 9(b)(i) shall apply to restrict the rights of any members or partners in limited liability companies or partnerships to exchange their interest in such entities for Equity Shares of the Trust.

(B) Transfer in Trust . If any Transfer of Series A Preferred Shares (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning Series A Preferred Shares in violation of Section 9(b)(i)(A)(i) or (ii):

(i) then that number of shares of the Series A Preferred Shares, the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 9(b)(i)(A)(i) or (ii) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Charitable Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 9(c), effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares; or

(ii) if the transfer to the Charitable Trust described in clause (i) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 9(b)(i)(A)(i) or (ii), then the Transfer of that number of Series A Preferred Shares that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 9(b)(i)(A)(i) or (ii) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Series A Preferred Shares.

(iii) In determining which Series A Preferred Shares are to be transferred to a Charitable Trust in accordance with this Section 9(b)(i)(B) and Section 9(c) hereof, shares shall be so transferred to a Charitable Trust in such manner as minimizes the aggregate value of the shares that are transferred to the Charitable Trust (except as provided in Section 9(b)(vi) and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, on a pro rata basis (unless otherwise determined by the Board of Trustees in its sole and absolute discretion). To the extent that, upon a transfer of Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to

 

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this Section 9(b)(i)(B), a violation of any provision of Section 9(b)(i)(A) would nonetheless occur or be continuing (as, for example, where the ownership of Series A Preferred Shares by a single Charitable Trust would result in the Equity Shares being Beneficially Owned (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) by fewer than 100 Persons), then Series A Preferred Shares shall be transferred to that number of Charitable Trust, each having a Charitable Trustee and a Charitable Beneficiary or Beneficiaries that are distinct from those of each other Charitable Trust, such that there is no violation of any provision of Section 9(b)(i)(A) hereof.

(ii) Remedies for Breach . If the Board of Trustees shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 9(b)(i) or that a Person intends or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any Series A Preferred Shares in violation of Section 9(b)(i) (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Trustees or a committee thereof shall take such action as it deems advisable, in its sole and absolute discretion, to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Trust to redeem shares, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Trust or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided, however , that any Transfer or attempted Transfer or other event in violation of Section 9(b)(i) shall automatically result in the transfer to the Charitable Trust described above, or, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Trustees or a committee thereof.

(iii) Notice of Restricted Transfer . Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Series A Preferred Shares that will or may violate Section 9(b)(i)(A) or any Person who would have owned Series A Preferred Shares that resulted in a transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 9(b)(i)(B) shall immediately give written notice to the Trust of such event or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Trust such other information as the Trust may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Trust’s status as a REIT.

(iv) Owners Required To Provide Information . From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of Series A Preferred Shares and each Person (including the shareholder of record) who is holding Series A Preferred Shares for a Beneficial or Constructive Owner shall, on demand, provide to the Trust in writing such information as the Trust may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership on the Trust’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, the Series A Ownership Limit and the other restrictions set forth in these Articles Supplementary or in the Declaration of Trust, and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.

(v) Remedies Not Limited . Subject to Section 5.1 of the Declaration of Trust, nothing contained in this Section 9(b) shall limit the authority of the Board of Trustees to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Trust and the interests of its shareholders in preserving the Trust’s status as a REIT.

(vi) Ambiguity . In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 9, including Section 9(b) Section 9(c), or any definition contained in Section 9(a) or any defined term used in this Section 9 but defined elsewhere in these Articles Supplementary or the Declaration of Trust, the Board of Trustees shall have the power to determine the application of the

 

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provisions of this Section 9 with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 9(b) or Section 9(c) requires an action by the Board of Trustees and these Articles Supplementary and the Declaration of Trust fail to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Trustees shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Section 9(a), Section 9(b) or Section 9(c).

(vii) Exceptions .

(A) Subject to Section 9(b)(i)(A)(ii), the Board of Trustees, subject to the trustees’ duties under applicable law, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit and/or the Series A Ownership Limit, as the case may be, and, if necessary, shall establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person, if the Board of Trustees determines, based on such representations, covenants and undertakings from such Person to the extent required by the Board of Trustees, and as are necessary or prudent to ascertain, as determined by the Board of Trustees in its sole discretion, that such exemption could not cause or permit:

(i) five or fewer Individuals to Beneficially Own more than 49% in value of the outstanding Equity Shares (taking into account the then current Series A Ownership Limit, Common Share Ownership Limit and Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, any then existing Excepted Holder Limits, and the Excepted Holder Limit of such Person); or

(ii) the Trust to Constructively Own an interest in any tenant of the Trust or any tenant of any entity directly or indirectly owned, in whole or in part, by the Trust (for this purpose, the Board of Trustees may determine in its sole and absolute discretion that a tenant shall not be treated as a tenant of the Trust if (a) the Trust could not Constructively Own more than a 9.9% interest (that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in any such tenant; or (b) the Trust (directly, or through an entity directly or indirectly owned, in whole or in part, by the Trust) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue from such tenant such that, in the opinion of the Board of Trustees, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Trust’s ability to qualify as a REIT).

(B) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 9(b)(vii)(A), the Board of Trustees may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Trustees in its sole and absolute discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Trust’s status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Trustees may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.

(C) Subject to Section 9(b)(i)(A)(ii), an underwriter which participates in a public offering or a private placement of Series A Preferred Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Series A Preferred Shares) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Series A Preferred Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Series A Preferred Shares) in excess of the Series A Ownership Limit, the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering or private placement.

(D) The Board of Trustees may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time, or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Series A Ownership Limit or the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, as applicable.

 

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(viii) Increase or Decrease in Series A Ownership Limit . Subject to Section 9(b)(i)(A)(ii) and the rest of this Section 9(b)(vii), the Board of Trustees may, in its sole and absolute discretion, from time to time increase or decrease the Series A Ownership Limit for one or more Persons; provided, however, that a decreased Series A Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns, as applicable, Series A Preferred Shares in excess of such decreased Series A Ownership Limit at the time such limit is decreased, until such time as such Person’s Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Series A Preferred Shares, as applicable, equals or falls below the decreased Series A Ownership Limit, but any further acquisition of Series A Preferred Shares or increased Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Series A Preferred Shares, during the period that such decreased Series A Ownership Limit is not effective with respect to such Person, will be in violation of the Series A Ownership Limit and, provided further, that the new Series A Ownership Limit (taking into account any then existing Excepted Holder Limits to the extent appropriate as determined by the Trust) would not allow five or fewer Persons to Beneficially Own more than 49% in value of the outstanding Equity Shares.

(ix) Legend . Each certificate representing Series A Preferred Shares, if any, shall bear substantially the following legend, in addition to any other legend that may be required in order to comply with applicable federal and state laws:

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON BENEFICIAL AND CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE TRUST’S MAINTENANCE OF ITS STATUS AS A REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”). SUBJECT TO CERTAIN FURTHER RESTRICTIONS AND EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THE ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY FOR THE SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES, (I) NO PERSON MAY BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN THE TRUST’S SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES IN EXCESS OF THE SERIES A OWNERSHIP LIMIT UNLESS SUCH PERSON IS AN EXCEPTED HOLDER (IN WHICH CASE THE EXCEPTED HOLDER LIMIT SHALL BE APPLICABLE); (II) NO PERSON MAY BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN EQUITY SHARES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES) OF THE TRUST IN EXCESS OF THE AGGREGATE SHARE OWNERSHIP LIMIT, UNLESS SUCH PERSON IS AN EXCEPTED HOLDER (IN WHICH CASE THE EXCEPTED HOLDER LIMIT SHALL BE APPLICABLE); (III) NO PERSON MAY BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES THAT, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT OTHER EQUITY SHARES OF THE TRUST BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWNED BY SUCH PERSON, WOULD RESULT IN THE TRUST (OR ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT SUBSIDIARY OF THE TRUST THAT INTENDS TO QUALIFY AS A REIT) BEING “CLOSELY HELD” UNDER SECTION 856(H) OF THE CODE OR OTHERWISE CAUSE THE TRUST (OR SUCH SUBSIDIARY) TO FAIL TO QUALIFY AS A REIT; AND (IV) NO PERSON MAY TRANSFER SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES IF SUCH TRANSFER WOULD RESULT IN THE EQUITY SHARES OF THE TRUST BEING OWNED BY FEWER THAN 100 PERSONS. ANY PERSON WHO BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWNS OR ATTEMPTS TO BENEFICIALLY OR

 

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CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES WHICH CAUSES OR WILL CAUSE A PERSON TO BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES IN EXCESS OR IN VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MUST IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE TRUST. IF ANY OF THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OR OWNERSHIP SET FORTH IN (I) THROUGH (III) ABOVE ARE VIOLATED, THE SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES IN EXCESS OR IN VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO A CHARITABLE TRUSTEE OF A CHARITABLE TRUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF ONE OR MORE CHARITABLE BENEFICIARIES. IN ADDITION, THE TRUST MAY TAKE OTHER ACTIONS, INCLUDING REDEEMING SHARES UPON THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IN ITS SOLE AND ABSOLUTE DISCRETION IF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES DETERMINES THAT OWNERSHIP OR A TRANSFER OR OTHER EVENT MAY VIOLATE THE RESTRICTIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE. FURTHERMORE, UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN EVENTS, ATTEMPTED TRANSFERS IN VIOLATION OF THE RESTRICTIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE MAY BE VOID AB INITIO . ALL CAPITALIZED TERMS IN THIS LEGEND HAVE THE MEANINGS DEFINED IN THE ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY FOR THE SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES, AS THE SAME MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, A COPY OF WHICH, INCLUDING THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP, WILL BE FURNISHED TO EACH HOLDER OF SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES OF THE TRUST ON REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE. REQUESTS FOR SUCH A COPY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TRUST AT ITS PRINCIPAL OFFICE.

Instead of the foregoing legend, a certificate may state that the Trust will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of the shares to a shareholder on request and without charge.

(c) Transfer of Series A Preferred Shares in Trust .

(i) Ownership in Trust . Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 9(b)(i)(B) that would result in a transfer of Series A Preferred Shares to a Charitable Trust, such Series A Preferred Shares shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee as trustee of a Charitable Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Charitable Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 9(b)(i)(B). The Charitable Trustee shall be appointed by the Trust and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Trust and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Trust as provided in Section 9(c)(vi).

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

 

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(iii) Dividend and Voting Rights . The Charitable Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to Series A Preferred Shares held in the Charitable Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Trust that the Series A Preferred Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such dividend or other distribution to the Charitable Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Charitable Trustee. Any dividend or distribution so paid to the Charitable Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares held in the Charitable Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the Series A Preferred Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee, the Charitable Trustee shall have the authority (at the Charitable Trustee’s sole and absolute discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Trust that the Series A Preferred Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Charitable Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Trust has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Charitable Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, until the Trust has received notification that Series A Preferred Shares have been transferred into a Charitable Trust, the Trust shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other shareholder records for purposes of preparing lists of shareholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of shareholders.

(iv) Sale of Shares by Trustee . Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Trust that Series A Preferred Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trust, the Charitable Trustee of the Charitable Trust shall sell the shares held in the Charitable Trust to a Person or Persons, designated by the Charitable Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 9(b)(i)(A). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Charitable Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 9(c)(iv). The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the Charitable Trust ( e.g. , in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the Charitable Trust and (2) the price per share received by the Charitable Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Charitable Trust. The Charitable Trustee shall reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Charitable Trustee pursuant to Section 9(c)(iii). Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Trust that Series A Preferred Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Charitable Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 9(c)(iv), such excess shall be paid to the Charitable Trustee upon demand.

(v) Purchase Right in Series A Preferred Shares Transferred to the Charitable Trustee . Series A Preferred Shares transferred to the Charitable Trustee shall be deemed to have been

 

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offered for sale to the Trust, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Charitable Trust (or, in the case of a gift, devise or other transaction, the Market Price at the time of such gift, devise or other transaction) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Trust, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Trust shall reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and distributions which has been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Charitable Trustee pursuant to Section 9(c)(iii). The Trust shall pay the amount of such reduction to the Charitable Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Trust shall have the right to accept such offer until the Charitable Trustee has sold the shares held in the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 9(c)(iv). Upon such a sale to the Trust, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Charitable Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner.

(vi) Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries . By written notice to the Charitable Trustee, the Trust shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Charitable Trust such that the Series A Preferred Shares held in the Charitable Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 9(b)(i)(A) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary. Neither the failure of the Trust to make such designation nor the failure of the Trust to appoint the Charitable Trustee before the automatic transfer provided for in Section 9(b)(i)(B)(i) shall make such transfer ineffective, provided that the Trust thereafter makes such designation and appointment. The designation of a nonprofit organization as a Charitable Beneficiary shall not entitle such nonprofit organization to continue to serve in such capacity and the Trust may, in its sole discretion, designate a different nonprofit organization as the Charitable Beneficiary at any time and for any or no reason, provided, however, that if a Charitable Beneficiary was designated at the time the Series A Preferred Shares were placed in the Charitable Trust, such Charitable Beneficiary shall be entitled to the rights set forth in herein with respect to such Series A Preferred Shares, unless and until the Trust opts to purchase such shares.

(d) NYSE Transactions . Nothing in this Section 9 shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Section 9 and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Section 9.

(e) Enforcement . The Trust is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Section 9.

(f) Non-Waiver . No delay or failure on the part of the Trust or the Board of Trustees in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Trust or the Board of Trustees, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

(g) Severability . If any provision of this Section 9 or any application of any such provision is determined to be invalid by any federal or state court having jurisdiction over the issues, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected and other applications of such provisions shall be affected only to the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court.

(h) Applicability of Section  9 . The provisions set forth in this Section 9 shall apply to the Series A Preferred Shares notwithstanding any contrary provisions of the Series A Preferred Shares provided for elsewhere in these Articles Supplementary.

 

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Section 10. No Conversion Rights . The Series A Preferred Shares shall not be convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Trust or any other entity, except as otherwise provided herein.

Section 11. Record Holders . The Trust and its transfer agent may deem and treat the record holder of any Series A Preferred Shares as the true and lawful owner thereof for all purposes, and neither the Trust nor its transfer agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

Section 12. No Maturity or Sinking Fund . The Series A Preferred Shares have no maturity date, and no sinking fund has been established for the retirement or redemption of Series A Preferred Shares; provided , however , that the Series A Preferred Shares owned by a shareholder in excess of the Series A Ownership Limit or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit shall be subject to the provisions of Section 5 and Section 9 of these Articles Supplementary.

Section 13. Exclusion of Other Rights . The Series A Preferred Shares shall not have any preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption other than expressly set forth in the Declaration of Trust and these Articles Supplementary.

Section 14. Headings of Subdivisions . The headings of the various subdivisions hereof are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of any of the provisions hereof.

Section 15. Severability of Provisions . If any preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of the Series A Preferred Shares set forth in the Declaration of Trust and these Articles Supplementary are invalid, unlawful or incapable of being enforced by reason of any rule of law or public policy, all other preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of Series A Preferred Shares set forth in the Declaration of Trust which can be given effect without the invalid, unlawful or unenforceable provision thereof shall, nevertheless, remain in full force and effect and no preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of the Series A Preferred Shares herein set forth shall be deemed dependent upon any other provision thereof unless so expressed therein.

Section 16. No Preemptive Rights . No holder of Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to any preemptive rights to subscribe for or acquire any unissued shares of beneficial interest of the Trust (whether now or hereafter authorized) or securities of the Trust convertible into or carrying a right to subscribe to or acquire shares of beneficial interest of the Trust.

Section 17. Provision of Financial Information . Whether or not it is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Trust will, to the extent permitted under the Exchange Act, file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents that the Trust would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant to such Section 13 or 15(d) if it were so subject, such documents to be filed with the SEC on or prior to the respective dates (the “ Required Filing Dates ”) by which the Trust would have been required so to file such documents if it were so subject. The Trust will also in any event (1) within 15 days of each Required Filing Date transmit by mail or electronic transmittal to all holders, as their names and addresses appear in the security register, without cost to such holders, copies of the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents that the Trust is required to file or would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act

 

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if it were subject to such sections, provided that the foregoing transmittal requirement will be deemed satisfied if the foregoing reports and documents are available on the SEC’s EDGAR system or on the Trust’s website within the applicable time period specified above, and (2) if filing such documents with the SEC is not permitted under the Exchange Act, promptly upon written request and payment of the reasonable cost of duplication and delivery, supply copies of such documents to any prospective holder.

Section 18. Offer to Purchase .

(a)     For so long as any Series A Preferred Shares are held by the Specified Holder, upon the occurrence of an Offer to Purchase Event (as defined below), the Trust must offer to purchase the Series A Preferred Shares held by the Specified Holder within thirty (30) days after the first date on which such Offer to Purchase Event occurred at a purchase price equal to $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the payment date. If, prior to the Offer to Purchase Date (as defined below), the Trust exercises any of its redemption rights relating to the Series A Preferred Shares (whether its Redemption Right or its Special Optional Redemption Right), the Trust will not have the obligation to make the offer to purchase described in this Section 18 with respect to the shares called for redemption.

An “Offer to Purchase Event” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a Change of Control, (ii) the merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets (which for the avoidance of doubt shall include a sale of all or substantially all of the assets comprising Master Trust A) or other similar transaction of the Trust (including through its subsidiaries) with or into any other person in conjunction with which or within 12 months following the closing of which the asset management agreement, dated on or about May 31, 2018, between the Trust and Spirit Realty, L.P. is terminated, (iii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board of Trustees together with any new trustee(s) (other than a trustee designated by a person who entered into an agreement with the Trust to effect a transaction described in the preceding clauses (i) or (ii) of this definition) whose election by the Board of Trustees or nomination for election by the Trust’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the trustees then still in office who either were trustees at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof, or (iv) the approval by the shareholders of the Trust of a liquidation or dissolution of the Trust.

The “ Offer to Purchase Date ” is the date the Series A Preferred Shares are tendered to the Trust for purchase, which will be a Business Day that is no fewer than two days nor more than 30 days after the date on which the Trust provides notice to the Specified Holder of its offer to purchase.

(b)    The Trust will not be required to make an offer to purchase the Series A Preferred Shares held by the Specified Holder upon an Offer to Purchase Event if a related person of the Trust within the meaning of Section 351(g)(2) of the Code makes an offer to purchase the Series A Preferred Shares held by the Specified Holder in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in these Articles Supplementary applicable to an offer to purchase made by the Trust and purchases all the Series A Preferred Shares tendered for purchase by the Specified Holder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in these Articles Supplementary, an offer to purchase may be made in advance of an Offer to Purchase Event and conditioned upon the consummation of such Offer to Purchase Event, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Offer to Purchase Event at the time the offer to purchase is made.

 

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(c)    If the terms of any indebtedness of the Trust prohibit the Trust from making an offer to purchase the Series A Preferred Shares held by the Specified Holder or from purchasing the Series A Preferred Shares tendered for purchase pursuant thereto, within sixty (60) days following an Offer to Purchase Event, the Trust covenants to (i) repay in full all such indebtedness or (ii) obtain the requisite consent under such indebtedness to permit the purchase of the Series A Preferred Shares held by the Specified Holder as described in this Section 18. The Trust must first comply with the covenant described in this Section 18 before it will be required to purchase the Series A Preferred Shares held by the Specified Holder in the event of an Offer to Purchase Event.

(d)    The Trust’s obligation to make the offer to purchase described in this Section 18 may be waived, in whole or in part, by the Specified Holder in the Specified Holder’s sole and absolute discretion.

THIRD : The Series A Preferred Shares have been classified and designated by the Board of Trustees under the authority contained in the Declaration of Trust.

FOURTH : These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the Board of Trustees in the manner and by the vote required by law.

FIFTH : These Articles Supplementary shall be effective at the time the Department accepts these Articles Supplementary for record.

SIXTH : The undersigned President acknowledges these Articles Supplementary to be the real estate investment trust act of the Trust and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned President acknowledges that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

[ Signature page follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has caused these Articles Supplementary to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its President and attested to by its Secretary as of the date first written above.

 

ATTEST:     SPIRIT MTA REIT

/s/ Jay Young

    By:  

/s/ Ricardo Rodriguez

Name:   Jay Young     Name:   Ricardo Rodriguez
Title:   Secretary     Title:   Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Exhibit 3.2

SPIRIT MTA REIT

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

SPIRIT MTA REIT, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Trust”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”) that:

FIRST :     The Trust desires to and does hereby amend and restate in its entirety the declaration of trust of the Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”) as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.

SECOND :     The following provisions are all the provisions of the Declaration of Trust currently in effect, as hereinafter amended:

ARTICLE I

FORMATION; ENTITY STATUS

The Trust is a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Title 8 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended from time to time (“Title 8”). The Trust shall not be deemed to be a general partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, joint stock company, limited liability company or corporation but nothing herein shall preclude the Trust from being treated for tax purposes as an entity that is disregarded as separate from its owner or an association under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the applicable Treasury regulations.

ARTICLE II

NAME

The name of the Trust is:

Spirit MTA REIT

Under circumstances in which the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board of Trustees” or “Board”) determines that the use of the name of the Trust is not practicable, the Trust may use any other designation or name for the Trust.


ARTICLE III

PURPOSES AND POWERS

Section 3.1     Purposes . The purposes for which the Trust is formed are to invest in and to acquire, hold, manage, administer, control and dispose of property and to engage in any other lawful act or activity. Such purposes may, without limitation or obligation, include, at such time as the Board of Trustees so determines, engaging in business as a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code (a “REIT”).

Section 3.2     Powers . The Trust shall have all of the powers granted to real estate investment trusts by Title 8 and any and all other powers which are not inconsistent with law and are appropriate to promote and attain the purposes set forth in the Declaration of Trust.

ARTICLE IV

RESIDENT AGENT

The name of the resident agent of the Trust in the State of Maryland is The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 2405 York Road, Suite 201, Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland 21093-2264. The resident agent is a Maryland corporation. The Trust may have such offices or places of business within or outside the State of Maryland as the Board of Trustees may from time to time determine.

ARTICLE V

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Section 5.1     Powers . Subject to Article I hereof and any express limitations contained in the Declaration of Trust or in the Bylaws of the Trust, as amended (the “Bylaws”), (a) the business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees and (b) the Board shall have full, exclusive and absolute power, control and authority over any and all property of the Trust. The Board may take any action as in its sole judgment and discretion is necessary or appropriate to conduct the business and affairs of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust shall be construed with the presumption in favor of the grant of power and authority to the Board. Any construction of the Declaration of Trust or determination made in good faith by the Board concerning its powers and authority hereunder shall be conclusive. The enumeration and definition of particular powers of the Trustees included in the Declaration of Trust or in the Bylaws shall in no way be construed or deemed by inference or otherwise in any manner to exclude or limit the powers conferred upon the Board or the Trustees under the general laws of the State of Maryland or any other applicable laws.

Subject to the provisions of any class of Shares (as defined herein) then outstanding, the Board, without any action by the shareholders of the Trust, shall have and may exercise, on behalf of the Trust, without limitation, the power to elect to cause the Trust to be a REIT; to elect to have the Trust treated as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income and other applicable tax purposes; to terminate the status of the Trust as a REIT (if the

 

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Trust becomes qualified as a REIT); to determine that compliance with any restrictions or limitations on ownership and transfers of shares of the Trust’s beneficial interest set forth in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust is no longer required in order for the Trust to qualify as a REIT; to adopt, amend and repeal Bylaws to the extent provided therein; to elect officers in the manner prescribed in the Bylaws; to solicit proxies from holders of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust; and to do any other acts and deliver any other documents necessary or appropriate to the foregoing powers.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Declaration of Trust or in the Bylaws, the Trust, the Board of Trustees and the officers of the Trust shall, and are authorized to, take such actions as in the Board of Trustees’ sole judgment and discretion are desirable to operate in a manner that would permit the Trust, if it so elects, to qualify as a REIT and maintain such qualification.

Section 5.2     Number . The number of Trustees of the Trust (hereinafter each a “Trustee” and together, the “Trustees”) initially shall be five (5), which number may be increased or decreased pursuant to the Bylaws of the Trust. The Trustees shall be elected at each annual meeting of shareholders in the manner provided in the Bylaws or, in order to fill any vacancy on the Board of Trustees, in the manner provided in the Bylaws. The names of the Trustees who shall serve until the first annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:

Jackson Hsieh    

Steven Shepsman

Steven Panagos

Richard Stockton

Thomas Sullivan

These Trustees may increase the number of Trustees and fill any vacancy, whether resulting from an increase in the number of Trustees or otherwise, on the Board of Trustees prior to the first annual meeting of shareholders in the manner provided in the Bylaws. It shall not be necessary to list in the Declaration of Trust the names and addresses of any Trustees hereinafter elected.

The Trust elects, at such time as it becomes eligible under Section 3-802 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) to make the election provided for under Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL, that, except as may be provided by the Board of Trustees in setting the terms of any class or series of stock, any and all vacancies on the Board of Trustees may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Trustees in office, even if the remaining Trustees do not constitute a quorum, and any Trustee elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the trusteeship in which such vacancy occurred and until a successor is duly elected and qualifies.

Section 5.3     Term . The Trustees shall be elected at each annual meeting of the shareholders and shall serve until the next annual meeting of the shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify, subject, however, in the case of Trustees to be elected by the holders of one or more classes or series of Shares, to the provisions of such classes or series. Trustees need not be shareholders.

 

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Section 5.4     Removal . Subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Shares (as defined below) to elect or remove one or more Trustees, any Trustee, or the entire Board of Trustees, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and then only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of Trustees. For the purpose of this paragraph, “cause” shall mean, with respect to any particular Trustee, conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holding that such Trustee caused demonstrable, material harm to the Trust through bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty.

Section 5.5     Advisor Agreements . The Board of Trustees may authorize the execution and performance by the Trust of one or more agreements with any person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization whereby, subject to the supervision and control of the Board of Trustees, any such other person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization shall render or make available to the Trust managerial, investment, advisory and/or related services, office space and other services and facilities (including, if deemed advisable by the Board of Trustees, the management or supervision of the investments of the Trust) upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in such agreement or agreements (including, if deemed fair and equitable by the Board of Trustees, the compensation payable thereunder by the Trust).

Section 5.6     Determinations by Board of Trustees . The determination as to any of the following matters, made in good faith by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Trustees consistent with the Declaration of Trust, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Trust and every holder of Shares: the amount of the net income of the Trust for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption of its Shares or the payment of other distributions on its Shares; the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other cash flow, funds from operations, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); any interpretation of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any class or series of Shares of the Trust; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Trust or of any Shares of the Trust; the number of Shares of any class of the Trust; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Trust; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Trust or required or permitted by applicable law, the Declaration of Trust or Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board of Trustees.

 

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ARTICLE VI

SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

Section 6.1     Authorized Shares . The beneficial interest of the Trust shall be divided into shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”). The Trust has authority to issue 750,000,000 common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Shares”), and 20,000,000 preferred shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share (“Preferred Shares”), of which 6,000,000 are classified and designated as “10% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest” (the “Series A Preferred Shares”) having the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, terms and conditions of redemption and other terms and conditions set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto which is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof. The aggregate par value of all the authorized Shares having par value is $7,700,000. If shares of one class are classified or reclassified into shares of another class pursuant to this Article VI, the number of authorized shares of the former class shall be automatically decreased and the number of shares of the latter class shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of shares so classified or reclassified, so that the aggregate number of shares of all classes that the Trust has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of shares set forth in the second sentence of this paragraph. The Board of Trustees, without any action by the shareholders of the Trust, may amend the Declaration of Trust from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of Shares or the number of Shares of any class or series that the Trust has authority to issue.

Section 6.2     Common Shares . Subject to the provisions of Article VII and except as may otherwise be specified in the Declaration of Trust, the Common Shares shall be identical and shall entitle the holders thereof to the same rights and privileges with respect thereto. Each Common Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on each matter upon which holders of Common Shares are entitled to vote. The Board of Trustees may reclassify any unissued Common Shares from time to time into one or more classes or series of Shares.

Section 6.3     Preferred Shares . The Board of Trustees may classify any unissued Preferred Shares and reclassify any previously classified but unissued Preferred Shares of any series from time to time, in one or more series of Shares.

Section 6.4     Classified or Reclassified Shares . Prior to issuance of classified or reclassified Shares of any class or series, the Board of Trustees by resolution shall (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of Shares; (b) specify the number of Shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set, subject to the provisions of Article VII and subject to the express terms of any class or series of Shares outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Trust to file articles supplementary with the SDAT. Any of the terms of any class or series of Shares set pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 6.4 may be made dependent upon facts ascertainable outside the Declaration of Trust (including the occurrence of any event, including a determination or action by the Trust or any other person or body) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of Shares is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary filed with the SDAT.

 

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Section 6.5     Authorization by Board of Share Issuance . The Board of Trustees, without approval of the shareholders of the Trust, may authorize the issuance from time to time of Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration (whether in cash, property, past or future services, obligation for future payment or otherwise) as the Board of Trustees may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a Share split or Share dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws of the Trust.

Section 6.6     Dividends and Distributions . The Board of Trustees may from time to time authorize and declare to shareholders such dividends or distributions, in cash or other assets of the Trust or in securities of the Trust or from any other source as the Board of Trustees in its discretion shall determine. If the Board of Trustees causes the Trust to elect to be a REIT, the Board of Trustees shall endeavor to declare and pay such dividends and distributions as shall be necessary for the Trust to qualify as a REIT; however, shareholders shall have no right to any dividend or distribution unless and until authorized and declared by the Board. The exercise of the powers and rights of the Board of Trustees pursuant to this Section 6.6 shall be subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares at the time outstanding. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Declaration of Trust, if the Board of Trustees causes the Trust to elect to be a REIT, no determination shall be made by the Board of Trustees nor shall any transaction be entered into by the Trust which would cause any Shares or other beneficial interest in the Trust not to constitute “transferable shares” or “transferable certificates of beneficial interest” under Section 856(a)(2) of the Code or, unless the Trust is a “publicly offered REIT” within the meaning of Section 562(c)(2) of the Code, which would cause any distribution to constitute a preferential dividend as described in Section 562(c) of the Code.

Section 6.7     General Nature of Shares . All Shares shall be personal property entitling the shareholders only to those rights provided in the Declaration of Trust. The shareholders shall have no interest in the property of the Trust and shall have no right to compel any partition, division, dividend or distribution of the Trust or of the property of the Trust. The death of a shareholder shall not terminate the Trust. The Trust is entitled to treat as shareholders only those persons in whose names Shares are registered as holders of Shares on the beneficial interest ledger of the Trust.

Section 6.8     Consideration for the Issuance of Shares . The consideration for the issuance of Shares, and convertible securities, warrants, or options of the Trust, may consist in whole or in part of: (i) money; (ii) tangible or intangible property; (iii) labor or services actually performed for the Trust; (iv) a promissory note or other obligation for future payment in money; or (v) contracts for labor or services to be performed, including but not limited to, contracts or agreements providing management or administrative services to the Trust.

Section 6.9     Fractional Shares . The Trust may, without the consent or approval of any shareholder, issue fractional Shares, eliminate a fraction of a Share by rounding up or down to a full Share, arrange for the disposition of a fraction of a Share by the person entitled to it, or pay cash for the fair value of a fraction of a Share.

 

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Section 6.10     Declaration and Bylaws . The rights of all shareholders and the terms of all Shares are subject to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws of the Trust.

ARTICLE VII

RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES

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

Aggregate Share Ownership Limit . The term “Aggregate Share Ownership Limit” shall mean not more than 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding Equity Shares, subject to adjustment from time to time by the Board of Trustees in accordance with Section 7.2.8, excluding any such outstanding Equity Shares which are not treated as outstanding for federal income tax purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining the percentage ownership of Equity Shares by any Person, Equity Shares that are treated as Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned by such Person shall be deemed outstanding. The value of the outstanding Equity Shares shall be determined by the Board of Trustees in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.

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

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

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

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

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

 

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Common Share Ownership Limit . The term “Common Share Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, and subject to adjustment from time to time by the Board of Trustees in accordance with Section 7.2.8) of the aggregate of the outstanding Common Shares of the Trust, excluding any such outstanding Common Shares which are not treated as outstanding for federal income tax purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining the percentage ownership of Common Shares by any Person, Common Shares that are treated as Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned by such Person shall be deemed to be outstanding. The number and value of outstanding Common Shares of the Trust shall be determined by the Board of Trustees in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.

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

Equity Shares . The term “Equity Shares” shall mean all classes or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust, including, without limitation, Common Shares and Preferred Shares.

Excepted Holder . The term “Excepted Holder” shall mean a shareholder of the Trust for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Board of Trustees pursuant to Section 7.2.7.

Excepted Holder Limit . The term “Excepted Holder Limit” shall mean for each Excepted Holder, the percentage limit established by the Board of Trustees for such Excepted Holder pursuant to Section 7.2.7, which limit may be expressed, in the discretion of the Board of Trustees, as one or more percentages and/or numbers of Equity Shares, and may apply with respect to one or more classes of Equity Shares or to all classes of Equity Shares in the aggregate, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with any requirements established by the Board of Trustees pursuant to Section 7.2.7 and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7.2.8.

Individual . The term “Individual” means an individual, a trust qualified under Section 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code, a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, or a private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, provided that, except as set forth in Section 856(h)(3)(A)(ii) of the Code, a trust described in Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code shall be excluded from this definition.

Initial Date . The term “Initial Date” shall mean the earlier of (i) the close of business on the date on which Spirit Realty Capital, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“SRC”), distributes 100% of the Common Shares of the Trust held by SRC to the holders of shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of SRC after such distribution is completed or (ii) such other date as determined by the Board of Trustees in its sole discretion.

 

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Market Price . The term “Market Price” on any date shall mean, with respect to any class or series of outstanding Equity Shares, the Closing Price for such Equity Shares on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Equity Shares, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Equity Shares, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or, if such Equity Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such Equity Shares are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Equity Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system on which such Equity Shares are quoted, or if such Equity Shares are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Equity Shares selected by the Board of Trustees or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Equity Shares, the fair market value of the Equity Shares, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.

NYSE . The term “NYSE” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.

Person . The term “Person” shall mean an Individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust, association, joint stock company or other entity.

Prohibited Owner . The term “Prohibited Owner” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 7.2.1, would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Equity Shares, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

Restriction Termination Date . The term “Restriction Termination Date” shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Board of Trustees determines pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Declaration of Trust that it is no longer in the best interests of the Trust to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of Equity Shares set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Trust to qualify as a REIT.

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

 

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Section 7.2     Equity Shares .

 

  7.2.1 Ownership Limitations . During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, but subject to Section 7.4:

 

  (a) Basic Restrictions .

 

  (i) (1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Equity Shares in excess of the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, (2) no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Common Shares in excess of the Common Share Ownership Limit and (3) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Equity Shares in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.

 

  (ii) No Person shall Beneficially or Constructively Own Equity Shares to the extent that such Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Equity Shares could result in the Trust (or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Trust that intends to qualify as a REIT) (A) being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or (B) otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including but not limited to Beneficial or Constructive Ownership that could result in the Trust Constructively Owning an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Trust from such tenant, taking into account any other income of the Trust that would not qualify under the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code, would cause the Trust to fail to satisfy any of such gross income requirements).

 

  (iii) Any Transfer of Equity Shares that, if effective, would result in the Equity Shares being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Equity Shares.

 

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Without limitation of the application of any other provision of this Article VII, it is expressly intended that the restrictions on ownership and Transfer described in this Section 7.2.1 of Article VII shall apply to restrict the rights of any members or partners in limited liability companies or partnerships to exchange their interest in such entities for Equity Shares of the Trust.

 

  (b) Transfer in Trust . If any Transfer of Equity Shares (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning Equity Shares in violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii):

 

  (i) then that number of Equity Shares, the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Charitable Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 7.3, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares; or

 

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

 

  (iii)

In determining which Equity Shares are to be transferred to a Charitable Trust in accordance with this Section 7.2.1(b) and Section 7.3 hereof, shares shall be so transferred to a Charitable Trust in such manner as minimizes the aggregate value of the shares that are transferred to the Charitable Trust (except as provided in Section 7.2.6) and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, on a pro rata basis (unless otherwise determined by the Board of Trustees in its sole and absolute discretion). To the extent that, upon a transfer of Equity Shares pursuant to this Section 7.2.1(b), a violation of any provision of Section 7.2.1(a) would nonetheless occur or be continuing (as, for example, where the ownership of Equity Shares by a single Charitable Trust would result in the Equity Shares being Beneficially Owned (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) by fewer than 100 Persons), then Equity Shares shall be transferred to that number of

 

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  Charitable Trusts, each having a Charitable Trustee and a Charitable Beneficiary or Beneficiaries that are distinct from those of each other Charitable Trust, such that there is no violation of any provision of Section 7.2.1(a) hereof.

 

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

 

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

 

  7.2.4 Owners Required To Provide Information . From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of Equity Shares and each Person (including the shareholder of record) who is holding Equity Shares for a Beneficial or Constructive Owner shall, on demand, provide to the Trust in writing such information as the Trust may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership on the Trust’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, the Common Share Ownership Limit and the other restrictions set forth herein, and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.

 

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  7.2.5 Remedies Not Limited . Subject to Section 5.1 of the Declaration of Trust, nothing contained in this Section 7.2 shall limit the authority of the Board of Trustees to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Trust and the interests of its shareholders in preserving the Trust’s status as a REIT.

 

  7.2.6 Ambiguity . In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Article VII, including Section 7.2, Section 7.3, or any definition contained in Section 7.1 or any defined term used in this Article VII but defined elsewhere in the Declaration of Trust, the Board of Trustees shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Article VII with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 requires an action by the Board of Trustees and the Declaration of Trust fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Trustees shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Section 7.1, Section 7.2 or Section 7.3.

 

  7.2.7 Exceptions .

 

  (a) Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii), the Board of Trustees, subject to the Trustees’ duties under applicable law, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit and/or the Common Share Ownership Limit, as the case may be, and, if necessary, shall establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person, if the Board of Trustees determines, based on such representations, covenants and undertakings from such Person to the extent required by the Board of Trustees, and as are necessary or prudent to ascertain, as determined by the Board of Trustees in its sole discretion, that such exemption could not cause or permit:

 

  (i) five or fewer Individuals to Beneficially Own more than 49% in value of the outstanding Equity Shares (taking into account the then current Common Share Ownership Limit and Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, any then existing Excepted Holder Limits, and the Excepted Holder Limit of such Person); or

 

  (ii)

the Trust to Constructively Own an interest in any tenant of the Trust or any tenant of any entity directly or indirectly owned, in whole or in part, by the Trust (for this purpose, the Board of Trustees may determine in its sole and absolute discretion that a tenant shall not be treated as a tenant of the Trust if (a) the Trust could not Constructively Own more than a 9.9% interest (that is described in Section

 

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  856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in any such tenant; or (b) the Trust (directly, or through an entity directly or indirectly owned, in whole or in part, by the Trust) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue from such tenant such that, in the opinion of the Board of Trustees, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Trust’s ability to qualify as a REIT).

 

  (b) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 7.2.7(a), the Board of Trustees may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Trustees in its sole and absolute discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Trust’s status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Trustees may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.

 

  (c) Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii), an underwriter which participates in a public offering or a private placement of Equity Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Shares) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Equity Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Shares) in excess of the Common Share Ownership Limit, the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering or private placement.

 

  (d) The Board of Trustees may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time, or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Common Share Ownership Limit or the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, as applicable.

 

  7.2.8

Increase or Decrease in Aggregate Share Ownership and Common Share Ownership Limits . Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii) and the rest of this Section 7.2.8, the Board of Trustees may, in its sole and absolute discretion, from time to time increase or decrease the Common Share Ownership Limit and/or the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit for one or more Persons; provided, however, that a decreased Common Share Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns, as applicable, Equity Shares in excess of such decreased Common Share Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit at the time

 

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  such limit is decreased, until such time as such Person’s Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Equity Shares, as applicable, equals or falls below the decreased Common Share Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, but any further acquisition of Equity Shares or increased Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Equity Shares, during the period that such decreased Common Share Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit is not effective with respect to such Person, will be in violation of the Common Share Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit and, provided further, that the new Common Share Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit (taking into account any then existing Excepted Holder Limits to the extent appropriate as determined by the Trust) would not allow five or fewer Persons to Beneficially Own more than 49% in value of the outstanding Equity Shares.

 

  7.2.9 Legend . Each certificate representing Equity Shares, if any, shall bear substantially the following legend:

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON BENEFICIAL AND CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE TRUST’S MAINTENANCE OF ITS STATUS AS A REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”). SUBJECT TO CERTAIN FURTHER RESTRICTIONS AND EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THE TRUST’S DECLARATION OF TRUST, (I) NO PERSON MAY BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN THE TRUST’S COMMON SHARES IN EXCESS OF THE COMMON SHARE OWNERSHIP LIMIT UNLESS SUCH PERSON IS AN EXCEPTED HOLDER (IN WHICH CASE THE EXCEPTED HOLDER LIMIT SHALL BE APPLICABLE); (II) NO PERSON MAY BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN EQUITY SHARES OF THE TRUST IN EXCESS OF THE AGGREGATE SHARE OWNERSHIP LIMIT, UNLESS SUCH PERSON IS AN EXCEPTED HOLDER (IN WHICH CASE THE EXCEPTED HOLDER LIMIT SHALL BE APPLICABLE); (III) NO PERSON MAY BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN EQUITY SHARES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE TRUST (OR ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT SUBSIDIARY OF THE TRUST THAT INTENDS TO QUALIFY AS A REIT) BEING “CLOSELY HELD” UNDER SECTION 856(H) OF THE CODE OR OTHERWISE CAUSE THE TRUST (OR ANY SUCH SUBSIDIARY) TO FAIL TO QUALIFY AS A REIT; AND (IV) NO PERSON MAY TRANSFER EQUITY SHARES IF SUCH TRANSFER WOULD RESULT IN THE EQUITY SHARES OF THE TRUST BEING OWNED BY FEWER THAN 100 PERSONS. ANY PERSON WHO BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWNS OR ATTEMPTS TO BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN EQUITY SHARES WHICH CAUSE OR WILL CAUSE A PERSON TO BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN EQUITY SHARES IN EXCESS OR IN VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MUST

 

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IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE TRUST. IF ANY OF THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OR OWNERSHIP SET FORTH IN (I) THROUGH (III) ABOVE ARE VIOLATED, THE EQUITY SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO A CHARITABLE TRUSTEE OF A CHARITABLE TRUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF ONE OR MORE CHARITABLE BENEFICIARIES. IN ADDITION, THE TRUST MAY TAKE OTHER ACTIONS, INCLUDING REDEEMING SHARES UPON THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IN ITS SOLE AND ABSOLUTE DISCRETION IF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES DETERMINES THAT OWNERSHIP OR A TRANSFER OR OTHER EVENT MAY VIOLATE THE RESTRICTIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE. FURTHERMORE, UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN EVENTS, ATTEMPTED TRANSFERS IN VIOLATION OF THE RESTRICTIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE MAY BE VOID AB INITIO . ALL CAPITALIZED TERMS IN THIS LEGEND HAVE THE MEANINGS DEFINED IN THE DECLARATION OF TRUST OF THE TRUST, AS THE SAME MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, A COPY OF WHICH, INCLUDING THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP, WILL BE FURNISHED TO EACH HOLDER OF EQUITY SHARES OF THE TRUST ON REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE. REQUESTS FOR SUCH A COPY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TRUST AT ITS PRINCIPAL OFFICE.

Instead of the foregoing legend, a certificate may state that the Trust will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of the shares to a shareholder on request and without charge.

Section 7.3     Transfer of Equity Shares in Trust .

 

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

 

  7.3.2

Status of Shares Held by the Charitable Trustee . Equity Shares held by the Charitable Trustee shall be issued and outstanding Equity Shares of the Trust. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the shares held by the Charitable Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in trust by the Charitable Trustee, shall

 

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  have no rights to dividends or other distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the Charitable Trust. The Prohibited Owner shall have no claim, cause of action, or any other recourse whatsoever against the purported transferor of such Equity Shares.

 

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

 

  7.3.4

Sale of Shares by Charitable Trustee . Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Trust that Equity Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trust, the Charitable Trustee of the Charitable Trust shall sell the shares held in the Charitable Trust to a Person or Persons, designated by the Charitable Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 7.2.1(a). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Charitable Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 7.3.4. The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event

 

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  causing the shares to be held in the Charitable Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the Charitable Trust and (2) the price per share received by the Charitable Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Charitable Trust. The Charitable Trustee shall reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Charitable Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3 of this Article VII. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Trust that Equity Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Charitable Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 7.3.4, such excess shall be paid to the Charitable Trustee upon demand.

 

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

 

  7.3.6

Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries . By written notice to the Charitable Trustee, the Trust shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Charitable Trust such that the Equity Shares held in the Charitable Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 7.2.1(a) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary. Neither the failure of the Trust to make such designation nor the failure of the Trust to appoint the Charitable Trustee before the automatic transfer provided for in Section 7.2.1(b)(i)

 

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  shall make such transfer ineffective, provided that the Trust thereafter makes such designation and appointment. The designation of a nonprofit organization as a Charitable Beneficiary shall not entitle such nonprofit organization to continue to serve in such capacity and the Trust may, in its sole discretion, designate a different nonprofit organization as the Charitable Beneficiary at any time and for any or no reason, provided, however, that if a Charitable Beneficiary was designated at the time the Equity Shares were placed in the Charitable Trust, such Charitable Beneficiary shall be entitled to the rights set forth in herein with respect to such Equity Shares, unless and until the Trust opts to purchase such shares.

Section 7.4     NYSE Transactions . Nothing in this Article VII shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VII and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article VII.

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

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

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

ARTICLE VIII

SHAREHOLDERS

Section 8.1     Meetings . There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders, to be held on proper notice at such time and convenient location as shall be determined by or in the manner prescribed in the Bylaws, for the election of the Trustees, if required, and for the transaction of any other business within the powers of the Trust. Except as otherwise provided in the Declaration of Trust, special meetings of shareholders may be called in the manner provided in the Bylaws. If there are no Trustees, the officers of the Trust shall promptly call a special meeting of the shareholders entitled to vote for the election of successor Trustees. Any meeting may be adjourned and reconvened as the Trustees determine or as provided in the Bylaws.

 

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Section 8.2     Voting Rights . Subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares then outstanding, the shareholders shall be entitled to vote only on the following matters: (a) election of Trustees as provided in Section 5.3 and the removal of Trustees as provided in Section 5.4; (b) amendment of the Declaration of Trust as provided in Section 10.3 or amendment of the Bylaws to the extent provided therein; (c) termination of the Trust as provided in Section 12.2; (d) merger or consolidation of the Trust, or the sale or disposition of substantially all of the assets of the Trust (the “Trust Property”), as provided in Article XI; and (e) such other matters with respect to which the Board of Trustees has adopted a resolution declaring that a proposed action is advisable and directing that the matter be submitted to the shareholders for approval or ratification. Except with respect to the foregoing matters, no action taken by the shareholders at any meeting shall in any way bind the Board of Trustees.

Section 8.3     Preemptive and Appraisal Rights . Except as may be provided by the Board of Trustees in setting the terms of classified or reclassified Shares pursuant to Section 6.4, or as may otherwise be provided by contract, no holder of Shares shall, as such holder, (a) have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional Shares of the Trust or any other security of the Trust which it may issue or sell or (b) have any right to require the Trust to pay him the fair value of his Shares in an appraisal or similar proceeding.

Section 8.4     Extraordinary Actions . Except as specifically provided in Section 5.4 (relating to removal of Trustees) and in Article X (relating to certain amendments of the Declaration of Trust of the Trust), notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board of Trustees and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of holders of Shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

ARTICLE IX

LIABILITY LIMITATION, INDEMNIFICATION

AND TRANSACTIONS WITH THE TRUST

Section 9.1     Limitation of Shareholder Liability . No shareholder shall be liable for any debt, claim, demand, judgment or obligation of any kind of, against or with respect to the Trust by reason of his being a shareholder, nor shall any shareholder be subject to any personal liability whatsoever, in tort, contract or otherwise, to any person in connection with the property or the affairs of the Trust by reason of his being a shareholder.

Section 9.2     Limitation of Trustee and Officer Liability . To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of trustees and officers of a real estate investment trust, no Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be liable to the Trust or to any shareholder for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section 9.2, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Declaration of Trust inconsistent with this Section 9.2, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption. In the absence of any Maryland statute limiting the liability of trustees and officers of a Maryland real estate investment trust for money damages in a suit by or

 

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on behalf of the Trust or by any shareholder, no Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be liable to the Trust or to any shareholder for money damages except to the extent that (a) the Trustee or officer actually received an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services, for the amount of the benefit or profit in money, property or services actually received; or (b) a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the Trustee or officer is entered in a proceeding based on a finding in the proceeding that the Trustee’s or officer’s action or failure to act was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding.

Section 9.3     Indemnification . The Trust shall have the power, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to, (a) any individual who is a present or former Trustee or officer of the Trust and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (b) any individual who, while a Trustee or officer of the Trust and at the request of the Trust, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, member, manager, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his or her service in such capacity. The Trust shall have the power, with the approval of the Board of Trustees, to provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Trust in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Trust or a predecessor of the Trust.

Section 9.4     Transactions Between the Trust and its Trustees, Officers, Employees and Agents . Subject to any express restrictions in the Declaration of Trust or adopted by the Trustees in the Bylaws or by resolution, the Trust may enter into any contract or transaction of any kind with any person, including any Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust or any person affiliated with a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, whether or not any of them has a financial interest in such transaction.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS

Section 10.1     General . The Trust reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to the Declaration of Trust, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Declaration of Trust, of any Shares. All rights and powers conferred by the Declaration of Trust on shareholders, Trustees and officers are granted subject to this reservation. An amendment to the Declaration of Trust (a) shall be signed and acknowledged by at least a majority of the Trustees, or an officer duly authorized by at least a majority of the Trustees, (b) shall be filed for record as provided in Section 13.5 and (c) shall become effective as of the later of the time the SDAT accepts the amendment for record or the time established in the amendment, not to exceed 30 days after the amendment is accepted for record. All references to the Declaration of Trust shall include all amendments thereto.

 

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Section 10.2     By Trustees . The Trustees may amend the Declaration of Trust from time to time, in the manner provided by Title 8, without any action by the shareholders, to qualify as a REIT under the Code or as a real estate investment trust under Title 8 and as otherwise provided in the Declaration of Trust.

Section 10.3     By Shareholders . Subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares then outstanding, except (a) as provided in Section 10.2, (b) for amendments to Section 5.4 or the next sentence of the Declaration of Trust or (c) where approval of the shareholders is not required by Title 8 or by a specific provision of the Declaration of Trust or would not be required if the Trust were a Maryland corporation, any amendment to the Declaration of Trust shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Trustees and approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, any amendment to Section 5.4 or to this sentence of the Declaration of Trust shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Trustees and approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast at least of two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

ARTICLE XI

MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF TRUST PROPERTY

Subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares at the time outstanding, the Trust may (a) merge the Trust with or into another entity, (b) consolidate the Trust with one or more other entities into a new entity or (c) sell, lease, exchange or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of the Trust Property.

ARTICLE XII

DURATION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST

Section 12.1     Duration . The Trust shall continue perpetually unless terminated pursuant to Section 12.2 or pursuant to any applicable provision of Title 8.

Section 12.2     Termination .

Section 12.2.1    Subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares at the time outstanding, after approval by a majority of the entire Board of Trustees, the Trust may be terminated at any meeting of shareholders by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Upon the termination of the Trust:

(a)    The Trust shall carry on no business except for the purpose of winding up its affairs.

(b)    The Trustees shall proceed to wind up the affairs of the Trust and all of the powers of the Trustees under the Declaration of Trust shall continue, including the powers to fulfill or discharge the Trust’s contracts, collect its assets, sell, convey, assign, exchange, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the remaining property of the Trust to one or more persons at public or private sale for consideration which may consist in whole or in part of cash, securities, or other property of any kind, discharge or pay its liabilities, and do all other acts appropriate to liquidate its business.

 

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(c)    After paying or adequately providing for the payment of all liabilities, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and agreements as the Trustees deem necessary for their protection, the Trust may distribute the remaining property of the Trust among the shareholders of the Trust so that, after payment in full or the setting apart for payment of such preferential amounts, if any, to which the holders of any Shares at the time outstanding shall be entitled, the remaining property of the Trust shall, subject to any participating or similar rights of Shares at the time outstanding, be distributed ratably among the holders of Common Shares at the time outstanding.

Section 12.2.2    After termination of the Trust, the liquidation of its business and the distribution to the shareholders of the Trust as herein provided, a majority of the Trustees shall execute and file with the Trust’s records a document certifying that the Trust has been duly terminated, and the Trustees shall be discharged from all liabilities and duties hereunder, and the rights and interests of all shareholders of the Trust shall cease.

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 13.1     Governing Law . The Declaration of Trust is executed by the undersigned Trustees and delivered in the State of Maryland with reference to the laws thereof, and the rights of all parties and the validity, construction and effect of every provision hereof shall be subject to and construed according to the laws of the State of Maryland without regard to conflicts of laws provisions thereof.

Section 13.2     Reliance by Third Parties . Any certificate shall be final and conclusive as to any person dealing with the Trust if executed by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Trust or a Trustee, and if certifying to: (a) the number or identity of Trustees, officers of the Trust or shareholders; (b) the due authorization of the execution of any document; (c) the action or vote taken, and the existence of a quorum, at a meeting of the Board of Trustees or shareholders; (d) a copy of the Declaration of Trust or of the Bylaws as a true and complete copy as then in force; (e) an amendment to the Declaration of Trust; (f) the termination of the Trust; or (g) the existence of any fact relating to the affairs of the Trust. No purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other person shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction purporting to be made by the Trust on its behalf or by any officer, employee or agent of the Trust.

Section 13.3     Severability .

Section 13.3.1    The provisions of the Declaration of Trust are severable, and if the Board of Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any one or more of such provisions (the “Conflicting Provisions”) are in conflict with the Code, Title 8 or other applicable federal or state laws, the Conflicting Provisions, to the extent of the conflict, shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of the Declaration of Trust, even without any

 

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amendment of the Declaration of Trust pursuant to Article X and without affecting or impairing any of the remaining provisions of the Declaration of Trust or rendering invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination. No Trustee shall be liable for making or failing to make such a determination. In the event of any such determination by the Board of Trustees, the Board shall amend the Declaration of Trust in the manner provided in Section 10.2.

Section 13.3.2    If any provision of the Declaration of Trust shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such holding shall apply only to the extent of any such invalidity or unenforceability and shall not in any manner affect, impair or render invalid or unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of the Declaration of Trust in any jurisdiction.

Section 13.4     Construction . In the Declaration of Trust, unless the context otherwise requires, words used in the singular or in the plural include both the plural and singular and words denoting any gender include all genders. The title and headings of different parts are inserted for convenience and shall not affect the meaning, construction or effect of the Declaration of Trust. In defining or interpreting the powers and duties of the Trust and its Trustees and officers, reference may be made by the Trustees or officers, to the extent appropriate and not inconsistent with the Code or Title 8, to Titles 1 through 3 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, in accordance with the provisions of Title 3, Subtitles 6 and 7, of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Trust shall be included within the definition of “corporation” for purposes of such provisions.

Section 13.5     Recordation . The Declaration of Trust and any amendment hereto shall be filed for record with the SDAT and may also be filed or recorded in such other places as the Trustees deem appropriate, but failure to file for record the Declaration of Trust or any amendment hereto in any office other than in the State of Maryland shall not affect or impair the validity or effectiveness of the Declaration of Trust or any amendment hereto. A restated Declaration of Trust shall, upon filing, be conclusive evidence of all amendments contained therein and may thereafter be referred to in lieu of the original Declaration of Trust and the various amendments thereto.

Section 13.6     Maryland Anti-Takeover Statutes . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws: (i) the Trust expressly elects not to be governed by the provisions of Section 3-602 of the MGCL, in whole or in part, as to any Business Combination between the Trust and any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of an Interested Stockholder (as such terms are defined in Section 3-601 of the MGCL) of the Trust, and any such Business Combination shall be exempted from the provisions of Section 3-602 of the MGCL; and (ii) the Trust is prohibited from electing to be subject to Section 3-803 of the MGCL unless such election is first approved by the shareholders of the Trust by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

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THIRD :     The foregoing amendment to, and restatement of, the Declaration of Trust has been duly advised by the Board of Trustees and approved by the shareholders of the Trust as required by law.

FOURTH :     The name and address of the Trust’s current resident agent is as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the Declaration of Trust.

FIFTH :     The number of Trustees of the Trust and the names of those Trustees currently in office are set forth in Section 5.2 of Article V of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the Declaration of Trust.

SIXTH :     These Articles of Amendment and Restatement shall become effective as of the later of (i) the time the SDAT accepts these Articles of Amendment and Restatement for record, or (ii) 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 31, 2018.

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

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has caused these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its President and attested to by its Secretary as of the 31 st day of May, 2018.

 

ATTEST:      

SPIRIT MTA REIT

/s/ Jay Young

         By:   

/s/ Ricardo Rodriguez

Name:    Jay Young          Name:    Ricardo Rodriguez
Title:    Secretary          Title:    Chief Executive Officer and President

 


EXHIBIT A

SPIRIT MTA REIT

Terms and Conditions of the 10% Series A Cumulative

Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest

The designation, number of shares, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, transfers, qualifications, terms and conditions of redemption and other terms and conditions of the separate series of Preferred Shares of Spirit MTA REIT, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Trust”) designated as the 10.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest are as follows:

Section 1. Designation and Number . A series of Preferred Shares, designated the “10.0% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest” (the “ Series A Preferred Shares ”), is hereby established. The number of Series A Preferred Shares initially shall be 6,000,000.

Section 2. Rank . The Series A Preferred Shares will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, rank: (a) senior to all classes or series of the Trust’s common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share (“ Common Shares ”), and all classes or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust now or hereafter authorized, issued or outstanding expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust; (b) on parity with any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust expressly designated as ranking on parity with the Series A Preferred Shares as to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust; and (c) junior to any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust. The term “shares of beneficial interest” does not include convertible or exchangeable debt securities, which will rank senior to the Series A Preferred Shares prior to conversion or exchange. The Series A Preferred Shares will also rank junior in right of payment to the Trust’s existing and future debt obligations.

Section 3. Dividends .

(a) Subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to dividends, the holders of shares of the Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by the Board of Trustees and declared by the Trust, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 10.0% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per Series A Preferred Share (equivalent to a fixed annual amount of $2.50 per Series A Preferred Share). Such dividends shall accrue and be cumulative from and including the first date on which any Series A Preferred Shares are issued (the “ Original Issue Date ”) and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on each Dividend Payment Date (as defined below), commencing June 30, 2018; provided, however, that if any Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day (as defined below), then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on such Dividend Payment Date may be paid, at the Trust’s option, on either the immediately preceding Business Day or the next succeeding Business Day, except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be

 

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made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if paid on such Dividend Payment Date, and no interest or additional dividends or other sums shall accrue on the amount so payable from such Dividend Payment Date to such next succeeding Business Day. The amount of any dividend payable on the Series A Preferred Shares for any partial Dividend Period (as defined below) shall be prorated and computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear in the shareholder records of the Trust at the close of business on the applicable Dividend Record Date (as defined below). Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein, each outstanding Series A Preferred Share shall be entitled to receive a dividend with respect to any Dividend Record Date equal to the dividend paid with respect to each other Series A Preferred Share that is outstanding on such date. “ Dividend Record Date ” shall mean the date designated by the Board of Trustees for the payment of dividends that is not more than 35 or fewer than 10 days prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date. “ Dividend Payment Date ” shall mean the last calendar day of each March, June, September and December, commencing on June 30, 2018. “ Dividend Period ” shall mean the respective periods commencing on and including the first day of January, April, July and October of each year and ending on, and including, the last day of March, June, September and December (other than the initial Dividend Period, which shall commence on the Original Issue Date and end on and include June 30, 2018, and other than the Dividend Period during which any Series A Preferred Shares shall be redeemed pursuant to Section 5 or Section 6 hereof, which shall end on and include the day preceding the redemption date with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares being redeemed).

The term “ Business Day ” shall mean each day, other than a Saturday or a Sunday, which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

(b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares shall accrue whether or not the Trust has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends, and whether or not such dividends are authorized or declared.

(c) Except as provided in Section 3(d) below, no dividends shall be declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment, and no other distribution of cash or other property may be declared and made, directly or indirectly, on or with respect to, any Common Shares or any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to dividends, on parity with or junior to the Series A Preferred Shares (other than a dividend paid in Common Shares or in any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon the Trust’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up) for any period, nor shall any Common Shares or any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon the Trust’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, on parity with or junior to the Series A Preferred Shares be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration, nor shall any funds be paid or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of such shares, and no other distribution of cash or other property may be made, directly or indirectly, on or with respect thereto by the Trust (except by conversion into or exchange for other class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Shares as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon the Trust’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and except for the acquisition of shares made pursuant to the provisions of Article VII of the Declaration of Trust or Section 9 hereof), unless full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares for all past Dividend Periods shall have been or contemporaneously are (i) declared and paid in cash or (ii) declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof in cash is set apart for such payment.

 

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(d) When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) on the Series A Preferred Shares and any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest ranking, as to dividends, on parity with the Series A Preferred Shares, all dividends declared upon the Series A Preferred Shares and each such other class or series of shares of beneficial interest ranking, as to dividends, on parity with the Series A Preferred Shares shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per Series A Preferred Share and such other class or series of shares of beneficial interest shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the Series A Preferred Shares and such other class or series of shares of beneficial interest (which shall not include any accrual in respect of unpaid dividends on such other class or series of shares of beneficial interest for prior Dividend Periods if such other class or series of shares of beneficial interest does not have a cumulative dividend) bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Series A Preferred Shares which may be in arrears.

(e) Holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or shares of beneficial interest, in excess of full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares as provided herein. Any dividend payment made on the Series A Preferred Shares shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividends due with respect to such shares which remain payable. Accrued but unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares will accumulate as of the Dividend Payment Date on which they first become payable.

Section 4. Liquidation Preference .

(a) Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, before any distribution or payment shall be made to holders of Common Shares or any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to rights upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, junior to the Series A Preferred Shares, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Trust legally available for distribution to its shareholders, after payment of or provision for the debts and other liabilities of the Trust and, subject to compliance with section 7(f)(i) of these Articles Supplementary, any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to rights upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, senior to the Series A Preferred Shares, a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not authorized or declared) up to but excluding the date of payment. In the event that, upon such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the available assets of the Trust are insufficient to pay the full amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to rights upon the Trust’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, on parity with the Series A Preferred Shares in the distribution of assets, then the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and each such other class or series of shares of beneficial interest ranking, as to rights upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, on parity with the Series A Preferred Shares shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled. Written notice of any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, stating the payment date or dates when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable in such circumstances shall be payable, shall be given by first class mail, postage pre-paid, not fewer than 30 or more than 60 days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each record holder of Series A Preferred Shares at the respective addresses of such holders as the same shall appear on the share transfer records of the Trust.

 

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After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Trust. The consolidation or merger of the Trust with or into any other corporation, trust or entity, or the voluntary sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Trust, shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust.

(b) In determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation), by dividend, redemption or other acquisition of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust or otherwise, is permitted under Maryland law, amounts that would be needed, if the Trust were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall not be added to the Trust’s total liabilities.

Section 5. Redemption .

(a) Series A Preferred Shares shall not be redeemable prior to May 31, 2023 except as set forth in Section 6 hereof or to preserve the status of the Trust as a REIT (as defined in Section 9(a) hereof) for United States federal income tax purposes. In addition, the Series A Preferred Shares shall be subject to the provisions of Section 9 hereof pursuant to which Series A Preferred Shares owned by a shareholder in excess of the Series A Ownership Limit (as defined in Section 9(a) hereof) shall automatically be transferred to a Trust (as defined in Section 9(a) hereof) for the exclusive benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary (as defined in Section 9(a) hereof).

(b) On and after May 31, 2023, the Trust, at its option, upon not fewer than 30 or more than 60 days’ written notice, may redeem the Series A Preferred Shares, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not authorized or declared) thereon up to but not including the date fixed for redemption, without interest, to the extent the Trust has funds legally available therefor (the “ Redemption Right ”). If fewer than all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares are to be redeemed, the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall be redeemed pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional shares) or by lot as determined by the Trust. If redemption is to be by lot and, as a result, any holder of Series A Preferred Shares would have actual ownership, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership (each as defined in Section 9(a) hereof) in excess of the Series A Ownership Limit, the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit (as defined in Section 9(a) hereof), or such other limit as permitted by the Board of Trustees or a committee thereof pursuant to Section 9(b)(vii) hereof, because such holder’s Series A Preferred Shares were not redeemed, or were only redeemed in part, then, except as otherwise provided in the Declaration of Trust, the Trust shall redeem the requisite number of Series A Preferred Shares of such holder such that no holder will hold an amount of Series A Preferred Shares in excess of the applicable ownership limit, subsequent to such redemption. Holders of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall surrender such Series A Preferred Shares at the place, or in accordance with the book-entry procedures, designated in such notice and shall be entitled to the redemption price of $25.00 per share and any accrued and unpaid dividends payable upon such redemption following such surrender. If (i) notice of redemption of any Series A Preferred Shares has been given (in the case of a redemption of the Series A Preferred Shares other than to preserve the status of the Trust as a REIT), (ii) the funds necessary for such redemption have been set aside by the Trust in trust for the benefit of the holders of any Series A Preferred Shares so called for redemption, and (iii) irrevocable instructions have been given to pay the redemption price and all accrued and unpaid dividends, then from and after the redemption date, dividends shall cease to accrue on such Series A Preferred Shares, such Series A Preferred Shares shall no longer be deemed outstanding, and all rights of the holders of such shares shall terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price plus any accrued and unpaid dividends payable upon such redemption, without interest. So long as full

 

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cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares for all past Dividend Periods shall have been or contemporaneously are (i) declared and paid in cash, or (ii) declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof in cash is set apart for payment, nothing herein shall prevent or restrict the Trust’s right or ability to purchase, from time to time, either at a public or a private sale, all or any part of the Series A Preferred Shares at such price or prices as the Trust may determine, subject to the provisions of applicable law, including the repurchase of Series A Preferred Shares in open-market transactions duly authorized by the Board of Trustees.

(c) The Trust may, at any time, redeem any or all of the Series A Preferred Shares to preserve the status of the Trust as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in which case such redemption shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 5 of these Articles Supplementary. If the Trust calls for redemption of any Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to and in accordance with this Section 5(c), then the redemption price for such shares will be an amount in cash equal to $25.00 per share together with all accrued and unpaid dividends to but excluding the dated fixed for redemption.

(d) Unless full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares for all past Dividend Periods shall have been or contemporaneously are (i) declared and paid in cash, or (ii) declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof in cash is set apart for payment, no Series A Preferred Shares shall be redeemed pursuant to the Redemption Right or Special Optional Redemption Right (defined below) unless all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares are simultaneously redeemed, and the Trust shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any Series A Preferred Shares or any class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, on parity with or junior to the Series A Preferred Shares (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, junior to the Series A Preferred Shares); provided , however , that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase of Series A Preferred Shares, or any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ranking, as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, on parity with or junior to the Series A Preferred Shares, by the Trust in accordance with the terms of Sections 5(c) and 9 of these Articles Supplementary or otherwise, in order to ensure that the Trust remains qualified as a REIT for United States federal income tax purposes, or the purchase or acquisition of Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares.

(e) Notice of redemption pursuant to the Redemption Right will be mailed by the Trust, postage prepaid, not fewer than 30 or more than 60 days prior to the redemption date, addressed to the respective holders of record of the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed at their respective addresses as they appear on the transfer records of the Trust. No failure to give or defect in such notice shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any Series A Preferred Shares except as to the holder to whom such notice was defective or not given. In addition to any information required by law or by the applicable rules of any exchange upon which the Series A Preferred Shares may be listed or admitted to trading, each such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the redemption price; (iii) the number of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed; (iv) the place or places where the certificates, if any, representing Series A Preferred Shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (v) procedures for surrendering noncertificated Series A Preferred Shares for payment of the redemption price; (vi) that dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on such redemption date; and (vii) that payment of the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid

 

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dividends will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Series A Preferred Shares. If fewer than all of the Series A Preferred Shares held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to such holder shall also specify the number of Series A Preferred Shares held by such holder to be redeemed. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary in these Articles Supplementary, the Trust shall not be required to provide notice to the holder of Series A Preferred Shares in the event such holder’s Series A Preferred Shares are redeemed in accordance with Sections 5(c) and 9 of these Articles Supplementary to preserve the Trust’s status as a REIT.

(f) If a redemption date falls after a Dividend Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, each holder of Series A Preferred Shares at the close of business of such Dividend Record Date shall be entitled to the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of such shares on or prior to such Dividend Payment Date, and each holder of Series A Preferred Shares that surrenders its shares on such redemption date will be entitled to the dividends accruing after the end of the Dividend Period to which such Dividend Payment Date relates up to but excluding the redemption date. Except as provided herein, the Trust shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on Series A Preferred Shares for which a notice of redemption has been given.

(g) All Series A Preferred Shares redeemed or repurchased pursuant to this Section 5, or otherwise acquired in any other manner by the Trust, shall be retired and shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued Preferred Shares, without designation as to series or class.

(h) The Series A Preferred Shares shall have no stated maturity and shall not be subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption; provided , however , that the Series A Preferred Shares owned by a shareholder in excess of the applicable ownership limit shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 5 and Section 9 of these Articles Supplementary.

Section 6. Special Optional Redemption by the Trust .

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below), the Trust will have the option upon written notice mailed by the Trust, postage pre-paid, no fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date and addressed to the holders of record of the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed at their respective addresses as they appear on the share transfer records of the Trust, to redeem the Series A Preferred Shares, in whole or in part within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, for cash at $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date (“ Special Optional Redemption Right ”). No failure to give such notice or any defect thereto or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any Series A Preferred Shares except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given. If, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined below), the Trust has provided or provides notice of redemption with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares (whether pursuant to the Redemption Right or the Special Optional Redemption Right), the holders of Series A Preferred Shares will not have the conversion right described below in Section 8 of these Articles Supplementary.

A “ Change of Control ” is when, after the original issuance of the Series A Preferred Shares, the following have occurred and are continuing:

(i) the acquisition by any person, including any syndicate or group deemed to be a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition transaction or series of purchases, mergers or other acquisition transactions of shares of the Trust

 

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entitling that person to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of all shares of beneficial interest of the Trust entitled to vote generally in the election of the Trust’s trustees (except that such person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition); and

(ii) following the closing of any transaction referred to in (i) above, neither the Trust nor the acquiring or surviving entity has a class of common securities (or American Depositary Receipts representing such securities) listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “ NYSE ”), the NYSE American (the “ NYSE American ”), or the NASDAQ Stock Market (“ NASDAQ ”), or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to the NYSE, the NYSE American or NASDAQ.

(b) In addition to any information required by law or by the applicable rules of any exchange upon which the Series A Preferred Shares may be listed or admitted to trading, such notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the redemption price; (iii) the number of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed; (iv) the place or places where the certificates, if any, representing Series A Preferred Shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (v) procedures for surrendering noncertificated Series A Preferred Shares for payment of the redemption price; (vi) that dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on the redemption date; (vii) that payment of the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid dividends will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Series A Preferred Shares; (viii) that the Series A Preferred Shares are being redeemed pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right in connection with the occurrence of a Change of Control and a brief description of the transaction or transactions constituting such Change of Control; and (ix) that holders of the Series A Preferred Shares to which the notice relates will not be able to tender such Series A Preferred Shares for conversion in connection with the Change of Control and each Series A Preferred Share tendered for conversion that is selected, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, for redemption will be redeemed on the related redemption date instead of converted on the Change of Control Conversion Date. If fewer than all of the Series A Preferred Shares held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to such holder shall also specify the number of Series A Preferred Shares held by such holder to be redeemed.

If fewer than all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares are to be redeemed, the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall be redeemed pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional shares) or by lot as determined by the Trust. If such redemption pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right is to be by lot and, as a result, any holder of Series A Preferred Shares would have actual ownership, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership in excess of the Series A Ownership Limit, the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, or such limit as permitted by the Board of Trustees or a committee thereof pursuant to Section 9(b)(vii) hereof, because such holder’s Series A Preferred Shares were not redeemed, or were only redeemed in part then, except as otherwise provided in the Declaration of Trust, the Trust shall redeem the requisite number of Series A Preferred Shares of such holder such that no holder will hold an amount of Series A Preferred Shares in excess of the applicable ownership limit, subsequent to such redemption.

(c) If the Trust has given a notice of redemption pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right and has set aside sufficient funds for the redemption in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date, those Series A Preferred Shares will be treated as no longer being outstanding, no further dividends will accrue and all other rights of the holders of those Series A Preferred Shares will terminate. The holders of those Series A Preferred Shares will retain their right to receive the redemption price for their shares and any accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the redemption date, without interest. So

 

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long as full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares for all past Dividend Periods shall have been or contemporaneously are (i) declared and paid in cash, or (ii) declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof in cash is set apart for payment, nothing herein shall prevent or restrict the Trust’s right or ability to purchase, from time to time, either at a public or a private sale, all or any part of the Series A Preferred Shares at such price or prices as the Trust may determine, subject to the provisions of applicable law, including the repurchase of Series A Preferred Shares in open-market transactions duly authorized by the Board of Trustees.

(d) The holders of Series A Preferred Shares at the close of business on a Dividend Record Date will be entitled to receive the dividend payable with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of the Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right between such Dividend Record Date and the corresponding Dividend Payment Date or the Trust’s default in the payment of the dividend due. Except as provided herein, the Trust shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on Series A Preferred Shares for which a notice of redemption pursuant to the Special Optional Redemption Right has been given.

(e) All Series A Preferred Shares redeemed or repurchased pursuant to this Section 6, or otherwise acquired in any other manner by the Trust, shall be retired and shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued Preferred Shares, without designation as to series or class.

Section 7. Voting Rights .

(a) Holders of the Series A Preferred Shares shall not have any voting rights, except as set forth in this Section 7.

(b) Whenever dividends on any Series A Preferred Shares shall be in arrears for six or more consecutive or non-consecutive quarterly periods (a “ Preferred Dividend Default ”), the holders of such Series A Preferred Shares (voting separately as a class together with holders of all other classes or series of Preferred Shares of the Trust ranking on parity with the Series A Preferred Shares with respect to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon the Trust’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (“ Parity Preferred ”)) shall be entitled to vote for the election of a total of two additional trustees of the Trust (the “ Preferred Trustees ”) until all dividends accumulated on such Series A Preferred Shares and Parity Preferred for the past Dividend Periods shall have been fully paid. In such case, the entire Board of Trustees will be increased by two trustees.

(c) The Preferred Trustees will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the election for a one-year term and each Preferred Trustee will serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies or until such Preferred Trustee’s right to hold the office terminates, whichever occurs earlier, subject to such Preferred Trustee’s earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. The election will take place at (i) either (A) a special meeting called in accordance with Section 7(d) below if the request is received more than 90 days before the date fixed for the Trust’s next annual or special meeting of shareholders or (B) the next annual or special meeting of shareholders if the request is received within 90 days of the date fixed for the Trust’s next annual or special meeting of shareholders, and (ii) at each subsequent annual meeting of shareholders, or special meeting held in place thereof, until all such dividends in arrears on the Series A Preferred Shares and each such class or series of outstanding Parity Preferred have been paid in full. A dividend in respect of Series A Preferred Shares shall be considered timely made if made within two Business Days after the applicable Dividend Payment Date if at the time of such late payment date there shall not be any prior quarterly Dividend Periods in respect of which full dividends were not timely made at the applicable Dividend Payment Date.

 

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(d) At any time when such voting rights shall have vested, a proper officer of the Trust shall call or cause to be called, upon written request of holders of record of at least 10% of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and Parity Preferred, a special meeting of the holders of Series A Preferred Shares and each class or series of Parity Preferred by mailing or causing to be mailed to such holders a notice of such special meeting to be held not fewer than ten or more than 45 days after the date such notice is given. The record date for determining holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and Parity Preferred entitled to notice of and to vote at such special meeting will be the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the day on which such notice is mailed. At any such annual or special meeting, all of the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and Parity Preferred, by plurality vote, voting together as a single class without regard to class or series will be entitled to elect two trustees on the basis of one vote per $25.00 of liquidation preference to which such Series A Preferred Shares and Parity Preferred are entitled by their terms (excluding amounts in respect of accumulated and unpaid dividends) and not cumulatively. The holder or holders of one-third of the Series A Preferred Shares and Parity Preferred voting as a single class then outstanding, present in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the election of the Preferred Trustees except as otherwise provided by law. Notice of all meetings at which holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and the Parity Preferred shall be entitled to vote will be given to such holders at their addresses as they appear in the transfer records. At any such meeting or adjournment thereof in the absence of a quorum, subject to the provisions of any applicable law, a majority of the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and Parity Preferred voting as a single class present in person or by proxy shall have the power to adjourn the meeting for the election of the Preferred Trustees, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. If a Preferred Dividend Default shall terminate after the notice of a special meeting has been given but before such special meeting has been held, the Trust shall, as soon as practicable after such termination, mail or cause to be mailed notice of such termination to holders of the Series A Preferred Shares and the Parity Preferred that would have been entitled to vote at such special meeting.

(e) If and when all accumulated dividends on such Series A Preferred Shares and all classes or series of Parity Preferred for the past Dividend Periods shall have been fully paid, the right of the holders of Series A Preferred Shares and the Parity Preferred to elect such additional two trustees shall immediately cease (subject to revesting in the event of each and every Preferred Dividend Default), and the term of office of each Preferred Trustee so elected shall terminate and the entire Board of Trustees shall be reduced accordingly. Any Preferred Trustee may be removed at any time with or without cause by the vote of, and shall not be removed otherwise than by the vote of, the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and the Parity Preferred entitled to vote thereon when they have the voting rights set forth in Section 7(b) hereof (voting as a single class). So long as a Preferred Dividend Default shall continue, any vacancy in the office of a Preferred Trustee may be filled by written consent of the Preferred Trustee remaining in office, or if none remains in office, by a vote of the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares when they have the voting rights described above (voting as a single class with all other classes or series of Parity Preferred). Each of the Preferred Trustees shall be entitled to one vote on any matter.

(f) So long as any Series A Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of two-thirds of the Series A Preferred Shares and each other class or series of Parity Preferred outstanding at the time, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting (voting together as a single class) will be required to: (i) authorize, create or issue, or increase the number of authorized or issued shares of, any class or series of shares of beneficial interest ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Shares with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets

 

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upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust (collectively, “ Senior Shares of Beneficial Interest ”) or reclassify any authorized shares of beneficial interest of the Trust into such shares of beneficial interest, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such Senior Shares of Beneficial Interest; or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Declaration of Trust, including the terms of the Series A Preferred Shares, whether by merger, consolidation, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of its assets or otherwise (an “ Event ”), so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series A Preferred Shares; provided however , with respect to the occurrence of any of the Events set forth in (ii) above, so long as the Series A Preferred Shares remain outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, taking into account that, upon the occurrence of an Event set forth in (ii) above, the Trust may not be the surviving entity, the occurrence of such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of Series A Preferred Shares, and in such case such holders shall not have any voting rights with respect to the occurrence of any of the Events set forth in (ii) above. In addition, if the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares receive the greater of the full trading price of the Series A Preferred Shares on the date of an Event set forth in (ii) above or the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of the Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to the occurrence of any of the Events set forth in (ii) above, then such holders shall not have any voting rights with respect to the Events set forth in (ii) above. If any Event set forth in (ii) above would materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series A Preferred Shares disproportionately relative to other classes or series of Parity Preferred, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class, will also be required. Holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to vote with respect to (A) any increase in the total number of authorized Common Shares or Preferred Shares of the Trust, or (B) any increase in the number of authorized Series A Preferred Shares or the creation or issuance of any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest, or (C) any increase in the number of authorized shares of any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest, in each case referred to in clause (A), (B) or (C) above ranking on parity with or junior to the Series A Preferred Shares with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust. Except as set forth herein, holders of the Series A Preferred Shares shall not have any voting rights with respect to, and the consent of the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares shall not be required for, the taking of any corporate action, including an Event, regardless of the effect that such corporate action or Event may have upon the powers, preferences, voting power or other rights or privileges of the Series A Preferred Shares.

(g) The foregoing voting provisions of this Section 7 shall not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice pursuant to these Articles Supplementary, and sufficient funds, in cash, shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.

(h) In any matter in which the Series A Preferred Shares may vote (as expressly provided herein), each Series A Preferred Share shall be entitled to one vote per $25.00 of liquidation preference.

Section 8. Conversion . The Series A Preferred Shares are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Trust, except as provided in this Section 8.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Series A Preferred Shares (other than Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. or one or more of its affiliates, collectively, the “ Specified Holder ”) shall have the right, unless, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, the Trust has provided or provides notice of its election to redeem the Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to the

 

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Redemption Right or Special Optional Redemption Right, to convert some or all of the Series A Preferred Shares held by such holder (the “ Change of Control Conversion Right ”) on the Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of Common Shares per Series A Preferred Share to be converted (the “ Common Shares Conversion Consideration ”) equal to the lesser of (A) the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of (x) the $25.00 liquidation preference per Series A Preferred Share to be converted plus (y) the amount of any accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the Change of Control Conversion Date (unless the Change of Control Conversion Date is after a Dividend Record Date and prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, in which case no additional amount for such accrued and unpaid dividends will be included in such sum) by (ii) the Common Share Price (as defined herein) and (B) 3.3333 (the “ Share Cap ”), subject to the immediately succeeding paragraph.

The Share Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any share splits (including those effected pursuant to a distribution of the Common Shares), subdivisions or combinations (in each case, a “ Share Split ”) with respect to the Common Shares as follows: the adjusted Share Cap as the result of a Share Split shall be the number of Common Shares that is equivalent to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the Share Cap in effect immediately prior to such Share Split by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Common Shares outstanding after giving effect to such Share Split and the denominator of which is the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to such Share Split.

For the avoidance of doubt, subject to the immediately succeeding sentence, the aggregate number of Common Shares (or equivalent Alternative Conversion Consideration (as defined below), as applicable) issuable in connection with the exercise of the Change of Control Conversion Right shall not exceed 19,999,800 Common Shares (or equivalent Alternative Conversion Consideration, as applicable) (the “ Exchange Cap ”). The Exchange Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any Share Splits on the same basis as the corresponding adjustment to the Share Cap.

In the case of a Change of Control pursuant to which Common Shares shall be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets (including any combination thereof) (the “ Alternative Form Consideration ”), a holder of Series A Preferred Shares shall receive upon conversion of such Series A Preferred Shares the kind and amount of Alternative Form Consideration which such holder would have owned or been entitled to receive upon the Change of Control had such holder held a number of Common Shares equal to the Common Shares Conversion Consideration immediately prior to the effective time of the Change of Control (the “ Alternative Conversion Consideration ”; and the Common Shares Conversion Consideration or the Alternative Conversion Consideration, as may be applicable to a Change of Control, shall be referred to herein as the “ Conversion Consideration ”).

In the event that holders of Common Shares have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in the Change of Control, the Conversion Consideration will be deemed to be the kind and amount of consideration actually received by holders of a majority of the Common Shares that voted for such an election (if electing between two types of consideration) or holders of a plurality of the Common Shares that voted for such an election (if electing between more than two types of consideration), as the case may be, and will be subject to any limitations to which all holders of Common Shares are subject, including, without limitation, pro rata reductions applicable to any portion of the consideration payable in the Change of Control.

The “ Change of Control Conversion Date ” shall be a Business Day set forth in the notice of Change of Control provided in accordance with Section 8(c) below that is no less than 20 days nor more than 35 days after the date on which the Trust provides such notice pursuant to Section 8(c).

 

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The “ Common Shares Price ” shall be (i) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by the holders of Common Shares is solely cash, the amount of cash consideration per Common Share or (ii) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by holders of Common Shares is other than solely cash (x) the average of the closing sale prices per Common Share (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices) for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the effective date of the Change of Control as reported on the principal U.S. securities exchange on which the Common Shares are then traded, or (y) the average of the last quoted bid prices for the Common Shares in the over-the-counter market as reported by Pink Sheets LLC or similar organization for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the effective date of the Change of Control, if the Common Shares are not then listed for trading on a U.S. securities exchange.

(b) No fractional Common Shares shall be issued upon the conversion of Series A Preferred Shares. In lieu of fractional shares, holders shall be entitled to receive the cash value of such fractional shares based on the Common Shares Price.

(c) Within 15 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control, a notice of occurrence of the Change of Control, describing the resulting Change of Control Conversion Right, shall be delivered to the holders of record of the Series A Preferred Shares at their addresses as they appear on the Trust’s share transfer records and notice shall be provided to the Trust’s transfer agent. No failure to give such notice or any defect thereto or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the conversion of any Series A Preferred Shares except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given. Each notice shall state: (i) the events constituting the Change of Control; (ii) the date of the Change of Control; (iii) the last date on which the holders of Series A Preferred Shares may exercise their Change of Control Conversion Right; (iv) the method and period for calculating the Common Shares Price; (v) the Change of Control Conversion Date; (vi) that if, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, the Trust has provided or provides notice of its election to redeem all or any portion of the Series A Preferred Shares, the holder will not be able to convert Series A Preferred Shares designated for redemption and such Series A Preferred Shares shall be redeemed on the related redemption date, even if they have already been tendered for conversion pursuant to the Change of Control Conversion Right; (vii) if applicable, the type and amount of Alternative Conversion Consideration entitled to be received per Series A Preferred Share; (viii) the name and address of the paying agent and the conversion agent; and (ix) the procedures that the holders of Series A Preferred Shares must follow to exercise the Change of Control Conversion Right.

(d) The Trust shall issue a press release for publication on the Dow Jones & Company, Inc., Business Wire, PR Newswire or Bloomberg Business News (or, if such organizations are not in existence at the time of issuance of such press release, such other news or press organization as is reasonably calculated to broadly disseminate the relevant information to the public), or post notice on the Trust’s website, in any event prior to the opening of business on the first Business Day following any date on which the Trust provides notice pursuant to Section 8(c) above to the holders of Series A Preferred Shares.

(e) In order to exercise the Change of Control Conversion Right, a holder of Series A Preferred Shares shall be required to deliver, on or before the close of business on the Change of Control Conversion Date, the certificates (if any) representing the Series A Preferred Shares to be converted, duly endorsed for transfer, together with a written conversion notice completed, to the Trust’s transfer agent. Such notice shall state: (i) the relevant Change of Control Conversion Date; (ii) the number of Series A Preferred Shares to be converted; and (iii) that the Series A Preferred Shares are to be

 

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converted pursuant to the applicable provisions of these Articles Supplementary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Series A Preferred Shares are held in global form, such notice shall comply with applicable procedures of The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”).

(f) Holders of Series A Preferred Shares may withdraw any notice of exercise of a Change of Control Conversion Right (in whole or in part) by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Trust’s transfer agent prior to the close of business on the Business Day prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date. The notice of withdrawal must state: (i) the number of withdrawn Series A Preferred Shares; (ii) if certificated Series A Preferred Shares have been issued, the certificate numbers of the shares of withdrawn Series A Preferred Shares; and (iii) the number of Series A Preferred Shares, if any, which remain subject to the conversion notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Series A Preferred Shares are held in global form, the notice of withdrawal shall comply with applicable procedures of DTC.

(g) Series A Preferred Shares as to which the Change of Control Conversion Right has been properly exercised and for which the conversion notice has not been properly withdrawn shall be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration in accordance with the Change of Control Conversion Right on the Change of Control Conversion Date, unless, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, the Trust has provided or provides notice of its election to redeem such Series A Preferred Shares, whether pursuant to its Redemption Right or Special Optional Redemption Right. If the Trust elects to redeem Series A Preferred Shares that would otherwise be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration on a Change of Control Conversion Date, such Series A Preferred Shares shall not be so converted and the holders of such shares shall be entitled to receive on the applicable redemption date $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.

(h) The Trust shall deliver the applicable Conversion Consideration no later than the third Business Day following the Change of Control Conversion Date.

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no holder of Series A Preferred Shares will be entitled to convert such Series A Preferred Shares into Common Shares to the extent that receipt of such Common Shares would cause the holder of such Common Shares (or any other person) to have actual ownership, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership (each as defined in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust) of Common Shares of the Trust in excess of the Common Share Ownership Limit (as defined in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust), the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit (as defined in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust), or such other limit as permitted by the Board of Trustees or a committee thereof pursuant to Section 7.2.7 of the Declaration of Trust.

Section 9. Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of Shares .

(a) Definitions . For the purposes of Section 5 and this Section 9 of these Articles Supplementary, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Aggregate Share Ownership Limit ” has the meaning set forth in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust.

Beneficial Ownership ” shall mean ownership of Series A Preferred Shares by a Person, whether the interest in the Series A Preferred Shares is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that are actually owned or would be treated as owned through the application of

 

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Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Sections 856(h)(1)(B) and 856(h)(3) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Own,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Business Day ” has the meaning set forth in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust.

Charitable Beneficiary ” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Charitable Trust as determined pursuant to Section 9(c)(vi), provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

Charitable Trust ” shall mean any trust provided for in Section 9(c)(i).

Charitable Trustee ” shall mean the Person unaffiliated with the Trust and any Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Trust to serve as trustee of the Charitable Trust.

Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute.

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

Equity Shares ” has the meaning set forth in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust.

Excepted Holder ” shall mean a shareholder of the Trust for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Board of Trustees pursuant to Section 9(b)(vii).

Excepted Holder Limit ” shall mean for each Excepted Holder, the percentage limit established by the Board of Trustees for such Excepted Holder pursuant to Section 9(b)(vii), which limit may be expressed, in the discretion of the Board of Trustees, as one or more percentages and/or numbers of Equity Shares, and may apply with respect to one or more classes of Equity Shares or to all classes of Equity Shares in the aggregate, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with any requirements established by the Board of Trustees pursuant to Section 9(b)(vii) and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9(b)(viii).

Individual ” means an individual, a trust qualified under Section 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code, a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, or a private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, provided that, except as set forth in Section 856(h)(3)(A)(ii) of the Code, a trust described in Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code shall be excluded from this definition.

Initial Date ” has the meaning set forth in Article VII of the Declaration of Trust.

Market Price ” on any date shall mean, with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares, the Closing Price for the Series A Preferred Shares on such date. The “ Closing Price ” on any date shall mean the last sale price for the Series A Preferred Shares, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for the Series A Preferred Shares, in

 

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either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or, if the Series A Preferred Shares is not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Series A Preferred Shares is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Series A Preferred Shares is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system on which the Series A Preferred Shares is quoted, or if the Series A Preferred Shares is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Series A Preferred Shares selected by the Board of Trustees or, in the event that no trading price is available for the Series A Preferred Shares, the fair market value of the Series A Preferred Shares, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.

NYSE ” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.

Person ” shall mean an Individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust, association, joint stock company or other entity.

Prohibited Owner ” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 9(b)(i), would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Series A Preferred Shares, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

REIT ” shall mean a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.

Restriction Termination Date ” shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Board of Trustees determines pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Declaration of Trust that it is no longer in the best interests of the Trust to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of Series A Preferred Shares set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Trust to qualify as a REIT.

Series A Ownership Limit ” shall mean 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, and subject to adjustment from time to time by the Board of Trustees in accordance with Section 9(b)(viii)) of the aggregate of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares, excluding any such outstanding Series A Preferred Shares which are not treated as outstanding for federal income tax purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining the percentage ownership of Series A Preferred Shares by any Person, Series A Preferred Shares that are treated as Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned by such Person shall be deemed to be outstanding. The number and value of outstanding Series A Preferred Shares of the Trust shall be determined by the Board of Trustees in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.

Transfer ” shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire, or change its level of, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Series A Preferred Shares or the right to vote or receive dividends on Series A Preferred Shares, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Series A Preferred Shares or any interest in Series A Preferred Shares or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive

 

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Ownership of Series A Preferred Shares; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.

(b) Series A Preferred Shares .

(i) Ownership Limitations . During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, but subject to Section 9(d):

(A) Basic Restrictions .

(i) The Series A Preferred Shares constitute a class or series of Preferred Shares, and Preferred Shares constitute Equity Shares of the Trust. Therefore, the Series A Preferred Shares, being Equity Shares, shall be subject to the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit applicable with respect to Equity Shares generally and all other restrictions and limitations on the Transfer and ownership of Equity Shares set forth in the Declaration of Trust and applicable to Equity Shares. In addition, (1) no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Series A Preferred Shares in excess of the Series A Ownership Limit and (2) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Series A Preferred Shares in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.

(ii) No Person shall Beneficially or Constructively Own Series A Preferred Shares to the extent that, taking into account other Equity Shares of the Trust Beneficially or Constructively Owned by such Person, such Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Series A Preferred Shares could result in the Trust (or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Trust that intends to qualify as a REIT) (A) being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or (B) otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including but not limited to Beneficial or Constructive Ownership that could result in the Trust Constructively Owning an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Trust from such tenant, taking into account any other income of the Trust that would not qualify under the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code, would cause the Trust to fail to satisfy any of such gross income requirements).

(iii) Any Transfer of Series A Preferred Shares that, if effective, would result in the Equity Shares being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Series A Preferred Shares.

Without limitation of the application of any other provision of this Section 9, it is expressly intended that the restrictions on ownership and Transfer described in this Section 9(b)(i) shall apply to restrict the rights of any members or partners in limited liability companies or partnerships to exchange their interest in such entities for Equity Shares of the Trust.

(B) Transfer in Trust . If any Transfer of Series A Preferred Shares (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning Series A Preferred Shares in violation of Section 9(b)(i)(A)(i) or (ii):

 

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(i) then that number of shares of the Series A Preferred Shares, the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 9(b)(i)(A)(i) or (ii) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Charitable Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 9(c), effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares; or

(ii) if the transfer to the Charitable Trust described in clause (i) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 9(b)(i)(A)(i) or (ii), then the Transfer of that number of Series A Preferred Shares that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 9(b)(i)(A)(i) or (ii) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Series A Preferred Shares.

(iii) In determining which Series A Preferred Shares are to be transferred to a Charitable Trust in accordance with this Section 9(b)(i)(B) and Section 9(c) hereof, shares shall be so transferred to a Charitable Trust in such manner as minimizes the aggregate value of the shares that are transferred to the Charitable Trust (except as provided in Section 9(b)(vi) and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, on a pro rata basis (unless otherwise determined by the Board of Trustees in its sole and absolute discretion). To the extent that, upon a transfer of Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to this Section 9(b)(i)(B), a violation of any provision of Section 9(b)(i)(A) would nonetheless occur or be continuing (as, for example, where the ownership of Series A Preferred Shares by a single Charitable Trust would result in the Equity Shares being Beneficially Owned (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) by fewer than 100 Persons), then Series A Preferred Shares shall be transferred to that number of Charitable Trust, each having a Charitable Trustee and a Charitable Beneficiary or Beneficiaries that are distinct from those of each other Charitable Trust, such that there is no violation of any provision of Section 9(b)(i)(A) hereof.

(ii) Remedies for Breach . If the Board of Trustees shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 9(b)(i) or that a Person intends or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any Series A Preferred Shares in violation of Section 9(b)(i) (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Trustees or a committee thereof shall take such action as it deems advisable, in its sole and absolute discretion, to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Trust to redeem shares, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Trust or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided, however , that any Transfer or attempted Transfer or other event in violation of Section 9(b)(i) shall automatically result in the transfer to the Charitable Trust described above, or, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Trustees or a committee thereof.

(iii) Notice of Restricted Transfer . Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Series A Preferred Shares that will or may violate Section 9(b)(i)(A) or any Person who would have owned Series A Preferred Shares that resulted in a transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 9(b)(i)(B) shall immediately give written notice to the Trust of such event or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Trust such other information as the Trust may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Trust’s status as a REIT.

 

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(iv) Owners Required To Provide Information . From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of Series A Preferred Shares and each Person (including the shareholder of record) who is holding Series A Preferred Shares for a Beneficial or Constructive Owner shall, on demand, provide to the Trust in writing such information as the Trust may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership on the Trust’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, the Series A Ownership Limit and the other restrictions set forth in these Articles Supplementary or in the Declaration of Trust, and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.

(v) Remedies Not Limited . Subject to Section 5.1 of the Declaration of Trust, nothing contained in this Section 9(b) shall limit the authority of the Board of Trustees to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Trust and the interests of its shareholders in preserving the Trust’s status as a REIT.

(vi) Ambiguity . In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 9, including Section 9(b) Section 9(c), or any definition contained in Section 9(a) or any defined term used in this Section 9 but defined elsewhere in these Articles Supplementary or the Declaration of Trust, the Board of Trustees shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Section 9 with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 9(b) or Section 9(c) requires an action by the Board of Trustees and these Articles Supplementary and the Declaration of Trust fail to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Trustees shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Section 9(a), Section 9(b) or Section 9(c).

(vii) Exceptions .

(A) Subject to Section 9(b)(i)(A)(ii), the Board of Trustees, subject to the trustees’ duties under applicable law, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit and/or the Series A Ownership Limit, as the case may be, and, if necessary, shall establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person, if the Board of Trustees determines, based on such representations, covenants and undertakings from such Person to the extent required by the Board of Trustees, and as are necessary or prudent to ascertain, as determined by the Board of Trustees in its sole discretion, that such exemption could not cause or permit:

(i) five or fewer Individuals to Beneficially Own more than 49% in value of the outstanding Equity Shares (taking into account the then current Series A Ownership Limit, Common Share Ownership Limit and Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, any then existing Excepted Holder Limits, and the Excepted Holder Limit of such Person); or

(ii) the Trust to Constructively Own an interest in any tenant of the Trust or any tenant of any entity directly or indirectly owned, in whole or in part, by the Trust (for this purpose, the Board of Trustees may determine in its sole and absolute discretion that a tenant shall not be treated as a tenant of the Trust if (a) the Trust could not Constructively Own more than a 9.9% interest (that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in any such tenant; or (b) the Trust (directly, or through an entity directly or indirectly owned, in whole or in part, by the Trust) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue from such tenant such that, in the opinion of the Board of Trustees, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Trust’s ability to qualify as a REIT).

 

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(B) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 9(b)(vii)(A), the Board of Trustees may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Trustees in its sole and absolute discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Trust’s status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Trustees may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.

(C) Subject to Section 9(b)(i)(A)(ii), an underwriter which participates in a public offering or a private placement of Series A Preferred Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Series A Preferred Shares) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Series A Preferred Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Series A Preferred Shares) in excess of the Series A Ownership Limit, the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering or private placement.

(D) The Board of Trustees may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time, or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Series A Ownership Limit or the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, as applicable.

(viii) Increase or Decrease in Series A Ownership Limit . Subject to Section 9(b)(i)(A)(ii) and the rest of this Section 9(b)(vii), the Board of Trustees may, in its sole and absolute discretion, from time to time increase or decrease the Series A Ownership Limit for one or more Persons; provided, however, that a decreased Series A Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns, as applicable, Series A Preferred Shares in excess of such decreased Series A Ownership Limit at the time such limit is decreased, until such time as such Person’s Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Series A Preferred Shares, as applicable, equals or falls below the decreased Series A Ownership Limit, but any further acquisition of Series A Preferred Shares or increased Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Series A Preferred Shares, during the period that such decreased Series A Ownership Limit is not effective with respect to such Person, will be in violation of the Series A Ownership Limit and, provided further, that the new Series A Ownership Limit (taking into account any then existing Excepted Holder Limits to the extent appropriate as determined by the Trust) would not allow five or fewer Persons to Beneficially Own more than 49% in value of the outstanding Equity Shares.

(ix) Legend . Each certificate representing Series A Preferred Shares, if any, shall bear substantially the following legend, in addition to any other legend that may be required in order to comply with applicable federal and state laws:

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON BENEFICIAL AND CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE TRUST’S MAINTENANCE OF ITS STATUS AS A REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”). SUBJECT TO CERTAIN FURTHER RESTRICTIONS AND EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THE ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY FOR THE SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES, (I) NO PERSON MAY BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN THE TRUST’S SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES IN EXCESS OF THE SERIES A OWNERSHIP LIMIT UNLESS SUCH PERSON IS AN EXCEPTED HOLDER (IN WHICH CASE THE EXCEPTED HOLDER LIMIT SHALL BE APPLICABLE); (II) NO PERSON MAY BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN EQUITY

 

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SHARES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES) OF THE TRUST IN EXCESS OF THE AGGREGATE SHARE OWNERSHIP LIMIT, UNLESS SUCH PERSON IS AN EXCEPTED HOLDER (IN WHICH CASE THE EXCEPTED HOLDER LIMIT SHALL BE APPLICABLE); (III) NO PERSON MAY BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES THAT, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT OTHER EQUITY SHARES OF THE TRUST BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWNED BY SUCH PERSON, WOULD RESULT IN THE TRUST (OR ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT SUBSIDIARY OF THE TRUST THAT INTENDS TO QUALIFY AS A REIT) BEING “CLOSELY HELD” UNDER SECTION 856(H) OF THE CODE OR OTHERWISE CAUSE THE TRUST (OR SUCH SUBSIDIARY) TO FAIL TO QUALIFY AS A REIT; AND (IV) NO PERSON MAY TRANSFER SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES IF SUCH TRANSFER WOULD RESULT IN THE EQUITY SHARES OF THE TRUST BEING OWNED BY FEWER THAN 100 PERSONS. ANY PERSON WHO BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWNS OR ATTEMPTS TO BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES WHICH CAUSES OR WILL CAUSE A PERSON TO BENEFICIALLY OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES IN EXCESS OR IN VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MUST IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE TRUST. IF ANY OF THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OR OWNERSHIP SET FORTH IN (I) THROUGH (III) ABOVE ARE VIOLATED, THE SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES IN EXCESS OR IN VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO A CHARITABLE TRUSTEE OF A CHARITABLE TRUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF ONE OR MORE CHARITABLE BENEFICIARIES. IN ADDITION, THE TRUST MAY TAKE OTHER ACTIONS, INCLUDING REDEEMING SHARES UPON THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IN ITS SOLE AND ABSOLUTE DISCRETION IF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES DETERMINES THAT OWNERSHIP OR A TRANSFER OR OTHER EVENT MAY VIOLATE THE RESTRICTIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE. FURTHERMORE, UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN EVENTS, ATTEMPTED TRANSFERS IN VIOLATION OF THE RESTRICTIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE MAY BE VOID AB INITIO . ALL CAPITALIZED TERMS IN THIS LEGEND HAVE THE MEANINGS DEFINED IN THE ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY FOR THE SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES, AS THE SAME MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, A COPY OF WHICH, INCLUDING THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP, WILL BE FURNISHED TO EACH HOLDER OF SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES OF THE TRUST ON REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE. REQUESTS FOR SUCH A COPY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TRUST AT ITS PRINCIPAL OFFICE.

Instead of the foregoing legend, a certificate may state that the Trust will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of the shares to a shareholder on request and without charge.

(c) Transfer of Series A Preferred Shares in Trust .

(i) Ownership in Trust . Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 9(b)(i)(B) that would result in a transfer of Series A Preferred Shares to a Charitable Trust, such

 

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Series A Preferred Shares shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee as trustee of a Charitable Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Charitable Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 9(b)(i)(B). The Charitable Trustee shall be appointed by the Trust and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Trust and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Trust as provided in Section 9(c)(vi).

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

(iii) Dividend and Voting Rights . The Charitable Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to Series A Preferred Shares held in the Charitable Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Trust that the Series A Preferred Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such dividend or other distribution to the Charitable Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Charitable Trustee. Any dividend or distribution so paid to the Charitable Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares held in the Charitable Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the Series A Preferred Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee, the Charitable Trustee shall have the authority (at the Charitable Trustee’s sole and absolute discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Trust that the Series A Preferred Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Charitable Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Trust has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Charitable Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, until the Trust has received notification that Series A Preferred Shares have been transferred into a Charitable Trust, the Trust shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other shareholder records for purposes of preparing lists of shareholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of shareholders.

(iv) Sale of Shares by Trustee . Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Trust that Series A Preferred Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trust, the Charitable Trustee of the Charitable Trust shall sell the shares held in the Charitable Trust to a Person or Persons, designated by the Charitable Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 9(b)(i)(A). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Charitable Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 9(c)(iv). The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the Charitable Trust ( e.g. , in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the Charitable Trust and (2) the price per

 

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share received by the Charitable Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Charitable Trust. The Charitable Trustee shall reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Charitable Trustee pursuant to Section 9(c)(iii). Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Trust that Series A Preferred Shares have been transferred to the Charitable Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Charitable Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 9(c)(iv), such excess shall be paid to the Charitable Trustee upon demand.

(v) Purchase Right in Series A Preferred Shares Transferred to the Charitable Trustee . Series A Preferred Shares transferred to the Charitable Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Trust, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Charitable Trust (or, in the case of a gift, devise or other transaction, the Market Price at the time of such gift, devise or other transaction) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Trust, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Trust shall reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and distributions which has been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Charitable Trustee pursuant to Section 9(c)(iii). The Trust shall pay the amount of such reduction to the Charitable Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Trust shall have the right to accept such offer until the Charitable Trustee has sold the shares held in the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 9(c)(iv). Upon such a sale to the Trust, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Charitable Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner.

(vi) Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries . By written notice to the Charitable Trustee, the Trust shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Charitable Trust such that the Series A Preferred Shares held in the Charitable Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 9(b)(i)(A) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary. Neither the failure of the Trust to make such designation nor the failure of the Trust to appoint the Charitable Trustee before the automatic transfer provided for in Section 9(b)(i)(B)(i) shall make such transfer ineffective, provided that the Trust thereafter makes such designation and appointment. The designation of a nonprofit organization as a Charitable Beneficiary shall not entitle such nonprofit organization to continue to serve in such capacity and the Trust may, in its sole discretion, designate a different nonprofit organization as the Charitable Beneficiary at any time and for any or no reason, provided, however, that if a Charitable Beneficiary was designated at the time the Series A Preferred Shares were placed in the Charitable Trust, such Charitable Beneficiary shall be entitled to the rights set forth in herein with respect to such Series A Preferred Shares, unless and until the Trust opts to purchase such shares.

(d) NYSE Transactions . Nothing in this Section 9 shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Section 9 and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Section 9.

(e) Enforcement . The Trust is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Section 9.

 

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(f) Non-Waiver . No delay or failure on the part of the Trust or the Board of Trustees in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Trust or the Board of Trustees, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

(g) Severability . If any provision of this Section 9 or any application of any such provision is determined to be invalid by any federal or state court having jurisdiction over the issues, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected and other applications of such provisions shall be affected only to the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court.

(h) Applicability of Section  9 . The provisions set forth in this Section 9 shall apply to the Series A Preferred Shares notwithstanding any contrary provisions of the Series A Preferred Shares provided for elsewhere in these Articles Supplementary.

Section 10. No Conversion Rights . The Series A Preferred Shares shall not be convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Trust or any other entity, except as otherwise provided herein.

Section 11. Record Holders . The Trust and its transfer agent may deem and treat the record holder of any Series A Preferred Shares as the true and lawful owner thereof for all purposes, and neither the Trust nor its transfer agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

Section 12. No Maturity or Sinking Fund . The Series A Preferred Shares have no maturity date, and no sinking fund has been established for the retirement or redemption of Series A Preferred Shares; provided , however , that the Series A Preferred Shares owned by a shareholder in excess of the Series A Ownership Limit or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit shall be subject to the provisions of Section 5 and Section 9 of these Articles Supplementary.

Section 13. Exclusion of Other Rights . The Series A Preferred Shares shall not have any preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption other than expressly set forth in the Declaration of Trust and these Articles Supplementary.

Section 14. Headings of Subdivisions . The headings of the various subdivisions hereof are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of any of the provisions hereof.

Section 15. Severability of Provisions . If any preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of the Series A Preferred Shares set forth in the Declaration of Trust and these Articles Supplementary are invalid, unlawful or incapable of being enforced by reason of any rule of law or public policy, all other preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of Series A Preferred Shares set forth in the Declaration of Trust which can be given effect without the invalid, unlawful or unenforceable provision thereof shall, nevertheless, remain in full force and effect and no preferences or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of the Series A Preferred Shares herein set forth shall be deemed dependent upon any other provision thereof unless so expressed therein.

Section 16. No Preemptive Rights . No holder of Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to any preemptive rights to subscribe for or acquire any unissued shares of beneficial interest of the Trust (whether now or hereafter authorized) or securities of the Trust convertible into or carrying a right to subscribe to or acquire shares of beneficial interest of the Trust.

 

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Section 17. Provision of Financial Information . Whether or not it is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Trust will, to the extent permitted under the Exchange Act, file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents that the Trust would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant to such Section 13 or 15(d) if it were so subject, such documents to be filed with the SEC on or prior to the respective dates (the “ Required Filing Dates ”) by which the Trust would have been required so to file such documents if it were so subject. The Trust will also in any event (1) within 15 days of each Required Filing Date transmit by mail or electronic transmittal to all holders, as their names and addresses appear in the security register, without cost to such holders, copies of the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents that the Trust is required to file or would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if it were subject to such sections, provided that the foregoing transmittal requirement will be deemed satisfied if the foregoing reports and documents are available on the SEC’s EDGAR system or on the Trust’s website within the applicable time period specified above, and (2) if filing such documents with the SEC is not permitted under the Exchange Act, promptly upon written request and payment of the reasonable cost of duplication and delivery, supply copies of such documents to any prospective holder.

Section 18. Offer to Purchase .

(a)     For so long as any Series A Preferred Shares are held by the Specified Holder, upon the occurrence of an Offer to Purchase Event (as defined below), the Trust must offer to purchase the Series A Preferred Shares held by the Specified Holder within thirty (30) days after the first date on which such Offer to Purchase Event occurred at a purchase price equal to $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the payment date. If, prior to the Offer to Purchase Date (as defined below), the Trust exercises any of its redemption rights relating to the Series A Preferred Shares (whether its Redemption Right or its Special Optional Redemption Right), the Trust will not have the obligation to make the offer to purchase described in this Section 18 with respect to the shares called for redemption.

An “Offer to Purchase Event” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a Change of Control, (ii) the merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets (which for the avoidance of doubt shall include a sale of all or substantially all of the assets comprising Master Trust A) or other similar transaction of the Trust (including through its subsidiaries) with or into any other person in conjunction with which or within 12 months following the closing of which the asset management agreement, dated as of May 31, 2018, between the Trust and Spirit Realty, L.P. is terminated, (iii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board of Trustees together with any new trustee(s) (other than a trustee designated by a person who entered into an agreement with the Trust to effect a transaction described in the preceding clauses (i) or (ii) of this definition) whose election by the Board of Trustees or nomination for election by the Trust’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the trustees then still in office who either were trustees at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof, or (iv) the approval by the shareholders of the Trust of a liquidation or dissolution of the Trust.

The “ Offer to Purchase Date ” is the date the Series A Preferred Shares are tendered to the Trust for purchase, which will be a Business Day that is no fewer than two days nor more than 30 days after the date on which the Trust provides notice to the Specified Holder of its offer to purchase.

 

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(b)    The Trust will not be required to make an offer to purchase the Series A Preferred Shares held by the Specified Holder upon an Offer to Purchase Event if a related person of the Trust within the meaning of Section 351(g)(2) of the Code makes an offer to purchase the Series A Preferred Shares held by the Specified Holder in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in these Articles Supplementary applicable to an offer to purchase made by the Trust and purchases all the Series A Preferred Shares tendered for purchase by the Specified Holder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in these Articles Supplementary, an offer to purchase may be made in advance of an Offer to Purchase Event and conditioned upon the consummation of such Offer to Purchase Event, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Offer to Purchase Event at the time the offer to purchase is made.

(c)    If the terms of any indebtedness of the Trust prohibit the Trust from making an offer to purchase the Series A Preferred Shares held by the Specified Holder or from purchasing the Series A Preferred Shares tendered for purchase pursuant thereto, within sixty (60) days following an Offer to Purchase Event, the Trust covenants to (i) repay in full all such indebtedness or (ii) obtain the requisite consent under such indebtedness to permit the purchase of the Series A Preferred Shares held by the Specified Holder as described in this Section 18. The Trust must first comply with the covenant described in this Section 18 before it will be required to purchase the Series A Preferred Shares held by the Specified Holder in the event of an Offer to Purchase Event.

(d)    The Trust’s obligation to make the offer to purchase described in this Section 18 may be waived, in whole or in part, by the Specified Holder in the Specified Holder’s sole and absolute discretion.

 

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Exhibit 3.3

SPIRIT MTA REIT

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE . The principal office of Spirit MTA REIT (the “ Trust ”) in the State of Maryland shall be located at such place as the Board of Trustees may designate.

Section 2. ADDITIONAL OFFICES . The Trust may have additional offices, including a principal executive office, at such places as the Board of Trustees may from time to time determine or the business of the Trust may require.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

Section 1. PLACE . All meetings of shareholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Trust or at such other place as shall be set in accordance with these Bylaws and stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING . An annual meeting of shareholders for the election of trustees and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Trust shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the Board of Trustees. Failure to hold an annual meeting does not invalidate the Trust’s existence or affect any otherwise valid acts of the Trust.

Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS .

 

  (a) General . Each of the chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president and Board of Trustees may call a special meeting of shareholders. Except as provided in subsection (b)(4) of this Section 3, a special meeting of shareholders shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president or Board of Trustees, whoever has called the meeting. Subject to subsection (b) of this Section 3, a special meeting of shareholders shall also be called by the secretary of the Trust to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting.

 

  (b) Shareholder-Requested Special Meetings .

 

  (1)

Any shareholder of record seeking to have shareholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice to the secretary (the “ Record Date Request Notice ”) by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Trustees to fix a record date to determine the shareholders entitled to request a special meeting (the “ Request Record Date ”). The Record Date Request Notice shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, shall be signed by one or more


  shareholders of record as of the date of signature (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the Record Date Request Notice), shall bear the date of signature of each such shareholder (or such agent) and shall set forth all information relating to each such shareholder and each matter proposed to be acted on at the meeting that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of trustees in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such a solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “ Exchange Act ”). Upon receiving the Record Date Request Notice, the Board of Trustees may fix a Request Record Date. The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than ten days after the close of business on the date on which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Trustees. If the Board of Trustees, within ten days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date, the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the tenth day after the first date on which a Record Date Request Notice is received by the secretary.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  (5)

If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the secretary and the result is that shareholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in writing), as of the Request Record Date, entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting on the matter to the secretary: (i) if the notice of meeting has not already been delivered, the secretary shall refrain from delivering the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting shareholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for a special meeting on the matter, or (ii) if the notice of meeting has been delivered and if the secretary first sends to all

 

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  requesting shareholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting on the matter written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the Trust’s intention to revoke the notice of the meeting or for the chairman of the meeting to adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, (A) the secretary may revoke the notice of the meeting at any time before ten days before the commencement of the meeting or (B) the chairman of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting without acting on the matter. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.

 

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

 

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

Section 4. NOTICE . Not less than ten nor more than 90 days before each meeting of shareholders, the secretary shall give notice of such meeting to each shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each shareholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting, notice in writing or by electronic transmission stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by any statute, the purpose for which the meeting is called. Such notice may be delivered by mail, by presenting it to such shareholder personally, by leaving it at the shareholder’s residence or usual place of business, by electronic transmission or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the shareholder at the shareholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Trust, with postage thereon prepaid. If transmitted electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be given when

 

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transmitted to the shareholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the shareholder at which the shareholder receives electronic transmissions. The Trust may give a single notice to all shareholders who share an address, which single notice shall be effective as to any shareholder at such address, unless a shareholder objects to receiving such single notice or revokes a prior consent to receiving such single notice. Failure to give notice of any meeting to one or more shareholders, or any irregularity in such notice, shall not affect the validity of any meeting fixed in accordance with this Article II or the validity of any proceedings at any such meeting.

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

Section 5. ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT . Every meeting of shareholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board of Trustees to be chairman of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment or appointed individual, by the chairman of the board or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the chairman of the board, by one of the following officers present at the meeting in the following order: the vice chairman of the board, if there is one, the chief executive officer, the president, the vice presidents in their order of rank and seniority, the secretary or, in the absence of such officers, a chairman chosen by the shareholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or by proxy. The secretary, or, in the secretary’s absence, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of both the secretary and assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Trustees or, in the absence of such appointment, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary. In the event that the secretary presides at a meeting of shareholders, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Trustees or the chairman of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of shareholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as, in the discretion of the chairman and without any action by the shareholders, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance at the meeting to shareholders of record of the Trust, their duly authorized proxies and such other individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting participation at the meeting on any matter to shareholders of record of the Trust entitled to vote on such matter, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (d) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments; (e) determining when and for how long the polls should be opened and when the polls should be closed; (f) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (g) removing any shareholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; (h) concluding a meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting to a later date and time and at a place announced at the meeting; and complying with any state

 

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and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of shareholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

Section 6. QUORUM; ADJOURNMENTS . At any meeting of shareholders, the presence in person or by proxy of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting on any matter shall constitute a quorum; but this section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or the declaration of trust of the Trust (the “ Declaration of Trust ”) for the vote necessary for the approval of any matter. If, however, such quorum is not established at any meeting of the shareholders, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting sine die or from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

The shareholders present either in person or by proxy, at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough shareholders to leave fewer than would be required to establish a quorum.

Section 7. VOTING .

 

  (a) A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to take or authorize action upon any matter which may properly come before the meeting, except as otherwise provided in this Section 7 with respect to the election of trustees, unless more than a majority of the votes cast is specifically required by statute, by the Declaration of Trust or by these Bylaws. Unless otherwise provided by statute or by the Declaration of Trust, each outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders. Voting on any question or in any election may be via voice unless the Chairman of the meeting shall order that voting be by ballot or otherwise.

 

  (b)

Except as otherwise provided in the Declaration of Trust with respect to trustees to be elected by the holders of any class or series of preferred shares of the Trust and in the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws with respect to the filling of vacancies on the Board of Trustees, each trustee shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast with respect to such trustee at any meeting of shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present and trustees are to be elected; provided, however, that the trustees shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of the shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present and trustees are to be elected if, in connection with such meeting (i) the Secretary of the Trust shall have received one or more notices that a shareholder has nominated or proposes to nominate a person or persons for election as a trustee, which notice(s) purports to be in compliance with the advance notice requirements set forth in Section 11 of Article II of these Bylaws, irrespective of whether the Board of Trustees thereafter determines that any such notice(s) is not in compliance with such requirements, and (ii) as of the fourteenth (14th) day

 

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  preceding the date on which notice of such meeting of the shareholders is first mailed or otherwise given in accordance with applicable law to the shareholders of the Trust, such nomination or proposed nomination has not been withdrawn by such shareholder and would thereby cause the number of nominees and proposed nominees to exceed the number of trustees to be elected at such meeting, as determined by the Secretary of the Trust, irrespective of whether such nomination or proposed nomination is thereafter withdrawn by such shareholder (a “ Contested Election ”). If the trustees are to be elected by a plurality of the votes cast pursuant to the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence, shareholders shall not be permitted to vote “against” any one or more nominees but shall only be permitted to vote “for” one or more nominees or withhold their votes with respect to one or more nominees. For purposes hereof, a majority of the votes cast means the number of votes cast “for” a trustee nominee must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that trustee nominee, with abstentions and broker non-votes not counted as a vote cast either “for” or “against” that trustee nominee.

 

  (c) In the election of trustees, each share may be voted for as many individuals as there are trustees to be elected and for whose election the shares are entitled to vote, without any right to cumulative voting.

 

  (d)

If, in any election of trustees of the Trust which is not a Contested Election, an incumbent trustee does not receive a majority of the votes cast and therefore is not re-elected, such incumbent trustee shall promptly tender his or her resignation as a trustee, subject to acceptance thereof by the Board, for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will promptly consider any such tendered resignation and will make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees as to whether such tendered resignation should be accepted or rejected, or whether other action should be taken with respect to such offer to resign. Any incumbent trustee whose tendered resignation is under consideration may not participate in any deliberation or vote of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or the Board of Trustees regarding such tendered resignation. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Trustees may consider any factors they deem relevant in deciding whether to accept, reject or take other action with respect to any such tendered resignation. Within ninety (90) days after the date on which certification of the shareholder vote on the election of trustees is made, the Board of Trustees will publicly disclose its decision and rationale regarding whether to accept, reject or take other action with respect to the tendered resignation in a press release, a periodic or current report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or by other public announcement. If any trustee’s tendered resignation is not accepted by the Board of Trustees, such trustee will continue to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualified or his or her earlier death, retirement, resignation or removal. If any trustee’s tendered resignation is accepted by the Board of Trustees, then such trustee will thereupon cease to be a trustee of the Trust, and the Board of Trustees,

 

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  in its sole discretion, may fill the resulting vacancy under the provisions of the Declaration of Trust, Article III, Section 11 of these Bylaws and applicable law or may decrease the size of the Board of Trustees pursuant to the provisions of Article III, Section 2 of these Bylaws.

Section 8. PROXIES . A holder of record of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust may cast votes in person or by proxy executed by the shareholder or by the shareholder’s duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by law. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the secretary before or at the meeting. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven months after its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy.

Section 9. VOTING OF SHARES BY CERTAIN HOLDERS . Shares of the Trust registered in the name of a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, general partner, managing member or trustee thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such shares pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of a partnership presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such shares. Any trustee or fiduciary may vote shares registered in the name of such person in the capacity of such trustee or fiduciary, either in person or by proxy.

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

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

Section 10. INSPECTORS . The Board of Trustees or the chairman of the meeting, in advance of or at any meeting, may, but need not, appoint one or more inspectors for the meeting and any successor to an inspector. The inspectors, if any, shall (a) determine the number of shares of beneficial interest represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and the validity and effect of proxies, (b) receive and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, (c) report such tabulation to the chairman of the meeting, (d) hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote and (e) do such acts as are proper to fairly conduct the election or vote. Each such report shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one

 

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inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

Section 11. ADVANCE NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDER NOMINEES FOR TRUSTEE AND OTHER SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS .

 

  (a) Annual Meetings of Shareholders .

 

  (1) At an annual meeting of shareholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be brought pursuant to the Trust’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Trustees or (iii) by any shareholder of the Trust who (A) was a shareholder of record (and, if such nomination or other business is proposed at the request of any beneficial owner, at the request of a beneficial owner who was the beneficial owner of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust) both at the time of giving of notice by the shareholder as provided for in this Section 11(a) of this Article II and at the time of the annual meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and (C) has complied with this Section 11(a) of this Article II. Except for proposals properly made pursuant to, and in accordance with, Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, and included in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Board of Trustees, the foregoing clause (iii) shall be the exclusive means for a shareholder to propose business to be brought before an annual meeting of shareholders.

 

  (2)

For any nomination or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder pursuant to Section 11(a)(1)(iii) of this Article II, (i) the shareholder must have (A) given timely notice (as defined below) thereof in writing and in proper form to the secretary, (B) provided any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 11 of this Article II and (ii) such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the shareholders. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice shall set forth all information required under this Section 11 of this Article II and shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Trust not earlier than the 150th day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Texas local time, on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in connection with the Trust’s first annual meeting or in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting, as

 

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  originally convened, or the tenth day following the day on which Public Announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The Public Announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholder’s notice as described above.

 

  (3) To be in proper form, such shareholder’s notice to the secretary shall set forth:

 

  (i) as to each individual whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a trustee (each, a “ Proposed Nominee ”), all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a trustee in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to, and in accordance with, Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder (including the Proposed Nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a trustee if elected);

 

  (ii) as to any business that the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, (A) a reasonably detailed description of such business, the shareholder’s reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such shareholder or any Shareholder Associated Person (as defined below), individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the shareholder or the Shareholder Associated Person therefrom, (B) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration) and (C) a reasonably detailed description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings (I) between or among the shareholder and/or any of the Shareholder Associated Persons or (II) between or among the shareholder and/or any of the Shareholder Associated Persons, on the one hand, and any other person or entity (including their names), on the other hand, in connection with the proposal of such business by such shareholder;

 

  (iii) as to the shareholder giving the notice, any Proposed Nominee and any Shareholder Associated Person,

 

  (A)

the class, series and number of all shares of beneficial interest or other securities of the Trust or any affiliate thereof (collectively, the “Trust securities”), if any, which are owned (beneficially or of record) by such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person, the date on which each such Company security was acquired

 

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  and the investment intent of such acquisition, and any short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such shares or other security) in any Trust securities of any such person,

 

  (B) the nominee holder for, and number of, any Trust securities owned beneficially but not of record by such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person,

 

  (C)

(I) any derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions engaged in, directly or indirectly, by such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person, the purpose or effect of which is to give such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person economic risk similar to ownership of shares or units of any Trust securities, including due to the fact that the value of such derivative, swap or other transactions are determined by reference to the price, value or volatility of any shares or units of any Trust securities, or which derivative, swap or other transactions provide, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit from any increase in the price or value of shares or units of any Trust securities (“ Synthetic Equity Interests ”), which Synthetic Equity Interests shall be disclosed without regard to whether (x) the derivative, swap or other transactions convey any voting rights in such shares or units to such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person, (y) the derivative, swap or other transactions are required to be, or are capable of being, settled through delivery of such shares or units or (z) such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person may have entered into other transactions that hedge or mitigate the economic effect of such derivative, swap or other transactions, (II) any proxy (other than a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act by way of a solicitation statement filed on Schedule 14A), agreement, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person has or shares a right to vote any shares or units of any Trust securities, (III) any agreement, arrangement, understanding or relationship, including any repurchase or similar so- called “share borrowing” agreement or arrangement, engaged in, directly or indirectly, by such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person, the purpose or effect of which is to mitigate loss to, reduce the economic risk (of

 

11


  ownership or otherwise) of shares or units of any Trust securities by, manage the risk of price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person with respect to the shares or units of any Trust securities, or which provides, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit from any decrease in the price or value of the shares or units of any Trust securities (“ Short Interests ”), (IV) any rights to dividends on the shares or units of any Trust securities owned beneficially by such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person that are separated or separable from the underlying Trust securities, (V) any performance-related fees (other than an asset based fee) that such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the price or value of shares or units of any Trust securities, or any Synthetic Equity Interests or Short Interests, if any, (VI) (x) if such shareholder is not a natural person, the identity of the natural person or persons associated with such shareholder responsible for the formulation of and decision to propose the business to be brought before the meeting or nominate any such Proposed Nominee (such person or persons, the “ Responsible Person ”), the manner in which such Responsible Person was selected, any fiduciary duties owed by such Responsible Person to the equity holders or other beneficiaries of such shareholder and any Shareholder Associated Person, the qualifications and background of such Responsible Person and any material interests or relationships of such Responsible Person that are not shared generally by any other record or beneficial holder of the shares or units of any Trust securities and that reasonably could have influenced the decision of such shareholder to propose such business to be brought before the meeting or nominate any such Proposed Nominee, and (y) if such shareholder or any Shareholder Associated Person is a natural person, the qualifications and background of such natural person and any material interests or relationships of such natural person that are not shared generally by any other record or beneficial holder of the shares or units of any Trust securities and that reasonably could have influenced the decision of such shareholder to propose such business to be brought before the meeting or nominate any such Proposed Nominee, (VII) any significant equity interests or any Synthetic Equity Interests or Short Interests in any principal competitor of the Trust held by such

 

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  shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person, (VIII) any direct or indirect interest of such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person in any contract with the Trust, any affiliate of the Trust or any principal competitor of the Trust (including, in any such case, any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement), (IX) any pending or threatened litigation in which such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person is a party or material participant involving the Trust or any of its trustees or officers, or any affiliate of the Trust, (X) any material transaction occurring during the prior twelve months between such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person, on the one hand, and the Trust, any affiliate of the Trust or any principal competitor of the Trust, on the other hand, (XI) a summary of any material discussions regarding the business proposed to be brought before the meeting or the nomination or identify of the Proposed Nominee (x) between or among any shareholder, any Proposed Nominee and any Shareholder Associated Person or (y) between or among any shareholder, any Proposed Nominee or any Shareholder Associated Person and any other record or beneficial holder of the shares or units of any Trust securities (including their names) and (XII) any other information relating to such shareholder and any Shareholder Associated Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies or consents by such shareholder and any Shareholder Associated Person in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting or the election of any Proposed Nominee pursuant to, and in accordance with, Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (I) and (XII) are referred to as “ Disclosable Interests ”); provided, however, that the Disclosable Interests shall not include any such disclosures with respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee solely as a result of being the shareholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these Bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner,

 

  (D)

Without limiting the foregoing, any other substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Trust), by security

 

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  holdings or otherwise, of such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person, in the Trust or any affiliate thereof, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Trust securities where such shareholder, Proposed Nominee or Shareholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series, provided, however, that Disclosable Interests shall not include any such disclosures with respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee solely as a result of being the shareholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these Bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner, and

 

  (E) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among the shareholder and/or any Shareholder Associated Person, on the one hand, and each Proposed Nominee, his or her respective affiliates and associates and any other persons with whom such Proposed Nominee (or any of his or her respective affiliates and associates) is Acting in Concert, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 under Regulation S-K if such shareholder and any Shareholder Associated Person were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the Proposed Nominee were a trustee or executive officer of such registrant (the disclosures to be made pursuant to this paragraph are referred to as “ Nominee Information ”);

 

  (iv) as to the shareholder giving the notice, any Shareholder Associated Person with an interest or ownership referred to in Sections 11(a)(3)(ii) or (iii) of this Article II and any Proposed Nominee,

 

  (A) the name and address of such shareholder, as they appear on the Trust’s share ledger, and the current name and business address, if different, of each such Shareholder Associated Person and any Proposed Nominee, and

 

  (B) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such shareholder and each such Shareholder Associated Person who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors or potential investors in such shareholder and each such Shareholder Associated Person;

 

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

 

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

 

  (4) Such shareholder’s notice shall, with respect to any Proposed Nominee, be accompanied by (i) a certificate executed by the Proposed Nominee certifying that such Proposed Nominee (A) will serve as a trustee of the Trust if elected, (B) is not and will not become a party to (I) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such Proposed Nominee, if elected as a trustee of the Trust, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “ Voting Commitment ”) that has not been disclosed to the Trust or (II) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such Proposed Nominee’s ability to comply, if elected as a trustee of the Trust, with such Proposed Nominee’s duties under applicable law, (C) is not, and will not become a party to, any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Trust with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a trustee that has not been disclosed to the Trust and (D) would be in compliance, if elected as a trustee of the Trust, and will comply with applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality, share ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Trust; and (ii) an attached completed Proposed Nominee questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Trust, upon request, to the shareholder providing the notice and shall include all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a trustee in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to, and in accordance with, Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, or would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange on which any securities of the Trust are listed or over-the-counter market on which any securities of the Trust are traded).

 

  (5)

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 11(a) of this Article II to the contrary, in the event that the number of trustees to be elected to the Board of Trustees is increased, and there is no Public Announcement of such action at least 130 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the

 

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  preceding year’s annual meeting, a shareholder’s notice required by this Section 11(a) of this Article II shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Trust not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the tenth day following the day on which such Public Announcement is first made by the Trust.

 

  (6) For purposes of this Section 11, “ Shareholder Associated Person ” of any shareholder shall mean (i) any person acting in concert with such shareholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust owned of record or beneficially by such shareholder (other than a shareholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such shareholder or such Shareholder Associated Person.

 

  (b) Special Meetings of Shareholders . Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Trust’s notice of meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Trustees may be made at a special meeting of shareholders at which trustees are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Trustees, or (ii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with Section 3(a) of this Article II for the purpose of electing trustees, by any shareholder of the Trust who is a shareholder of record (and, if such nomination is proposed at the request of any beneficial owner, at the request of a beneficial owner who was the beneficial owner of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust) both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 11 of this Article II and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11 of this Article II. In the event the Trust calls a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals to the Board of Trustees, any shareholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a trustee as specified in the Trust’s notice of meeting, if the shareholder’s notice, containing the information required by Section 11(a)(3) of this Article II, shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Trust not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which Public Announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Trustees to be elected at such meeting. The Public Announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholder’s notice as described above.

 

  (c) General .

 

  (1)

If information submitted pursuant to this Section 11 of this Article II by any shareholder proposing a nominee for election as a trustee

 

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  or any proposal for other business at a meeting of shareholders shall be inaccurate in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11 of this Article II. Any such shareholder shall notify the Trust of any inaccuracy or change (within two Business Days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change) in any such information. Upon written request by the secretary or the Board of Trustees, any such shareholder shall provide, within five Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (A) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Trustees or any authorized officer of the Trust, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the shareholder pursuant to this Section 11 of this Article II, and (B) a written update of any information submitted by the shareholder pursuant to this Section 11 of this Article II as of an earlier date. If a shareholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11 of this Article II.

 

  (2) Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 11 of this Article II shall be eligible for election by shareholders as trustees, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 11 of this Article II. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section 11 of this Article II.

 

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

 

  (4)

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11 of this Article II, a shareholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in

 

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  this Section 11 of this Article II. Nothing in this Section 11 of this Article II shall be deemed to affect any right of a shareholder to request inclusion of a proposal in, or the right of the Trust to omit a proposal from, the Trust’s proxy statement pursuant to, and in accordance with, Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 11 of this Article II shall require disclosure of revocable proxies received by the shareholder or Shareholder Associated Person pursuant to a solicitation of proxies after the filing of an effective Schedule 14A by such shareholder or Shareholder Associated Person pursuant to, and in accordance with, Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.

Section 12. CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, or any successor statute (the “ MGCL ”), shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.

Section 13. TELEPHONIC MEETINGS . The Board of Trustees or chairman of the meeting may permit one or more shareholders to participate in a meeting of shareholders by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at the meeting.

ARTICLE III

TRUSTEES

Section 1. GENERAL POWERS . The business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Trustees.

Section 2. NUMBER, TENURE AND RESIGNATIONS . At any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, a majority of the entire Board of Trustees may establish, increase or decrease the number of trustees, provided that the number thereof shall never be less than one nor more than 15, and further provided that the tenure of office of a trustee shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of trustees. Any trustee of the Trust may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Trustees, the chairman of the board or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation.

Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS . An annual meeting of the Board of Trustees shall be held immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of shareholders, no notice other than this Bylaw being necessary. In the event such meeting is not so held, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of regular meetings of the Board of Trustees without other notice than such resolution.

 

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Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS . Special meetings of the Board of Trustees may be called by or at the request of the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or a majority of the trustees then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Trustees may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Trustees called by them. The Board of Trustees may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of special meetings of the Board of Trustees without other notice than such resolution.

Section 5. NOTICE . Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Trustees shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, courier or United States mail to each trustee at his or her business or residence address. Notice by personal delivery, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Notice by United States mail shall be given at least three days prior to the meeting. Notice by courier shall be given at least two days prior to the meeting. Telephone notice shall be deemed to be given when the trustee or his or her agent is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which the trustee or his or her agent is a party. Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address given to the Trust by the trustee. Facsimile transmission notice shall be deemed to be given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number given to the Trust by the trustee and receipt of a completed answer-back indicating receipt. Notice by United States mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice by courier shall be deemed to be given when deposited with or delivered to a courier properly addressed. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Trustees need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.

Section 6. QUORUM . A majority of the trustees shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Trustees, provided that, if less than a majority of such trustees is present at such meeting, a majority of the trustees present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice, and provided further that if, pursuant to applicable law, the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority or other percentage of a particular group of trustees is required for action, a quorum must also include a majority or such other percentage of such group.

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

Section 7. VOTING . The action of a majority of the trustees present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Trustees, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws. If enough trustees have withdrawn from a meeting to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum, but the meeting is not adjourned, the action of the majority of that number of trustees necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting shall be the action of the Board of Trustees, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws.

 

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Section 8. ORGANIZATION . At each meeting of the Board of Trustees, the chairman of the board or, in the absence of the chairman, the vice chairman of the board, if any, shall act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of both the chairman and vice chairman of the board, the chief executive officer or, in the absence of the chief executive officer, the president or, in the absence of the president, a trustee chosen by a majority of the trustees present, shall act as chairman of the meeting. The secretary or, in his or her absence, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of the secretary and all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 9. TELEPHONE MEETINGS . Trustees may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 10. CONSENT BY TRUSTEES WITHOUT A MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Trustees may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each trustee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Trustees.

Section 11. VACANCIES . If for any reason any or all of the trustees cease to be trustees, such event shall not terminate the Trust or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining trustees hereunder. Until such time as the Trust becomes subject to Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL, any vacancy on the Board of Trustees for any cause other than an increase in the number of trustees may be filled by a majority of the remaining trustees, even if such majority is less than a quorum; any vacancy in the number of trustees created by an increase in the number of trustees may be filled by a majority vote of the entire Board of Trustees; and any individual so elected as trustee shall serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualifies. At such time as the Trust becomes subject to Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL and except as may be provided by the Board of Trustees in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred shares, any vacancy on the Board of Trustees may be filled only by a majority of the remaining trustees, even if the remaining trustees do not constitute a quorum. Any trustee elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the trusteeship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

Section 12. COMPENSATION . Trustees shall not receive any stated salary for their services as trustees but, by resolution of the Board of Trustees, may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned or leased by the Trust and for any service or activity they performed or engaged in as trustees. Trustees may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Trustees or of any committee thereof and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they perform or engage in as trustees; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any trustees from serving the Trust in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

 

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Section 13. RELIANCE . Each trustee and officer of the Trust shall, in the performance of his or her duties with respect to the Trust, be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Trust whom the trustee or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant or other person, as to a matter which the trustee or officer reasonably believes to be within the person’s professional or expert competence, or, with respect to a trustee, by a committee of the Board of Trustees on which the trustee does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if the trustee reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence.

Section 14. RATIFICATION . The Board of Trustees or the shareholders may ratify and make binding on the Trust any action or inaction by the Trust or its officers to the extent that the Board of Trustees or the shareholders could have originally authorized the matter. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any shareholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a trustee, officer or shareholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Trustees or by the shareholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the Trust and its shareholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.

Section 15. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS . A trustee who is not also an officer of the Trust shall have no responsibility to devote his or her full time to the affairs of the Trust. Any trustee or officer, in his or her personal capacity or in a capacity as an affiliate, employee, or agent of any other person, or otherwise, may have business interests and engage in business activities similar to, in addition to or in competition with those of or relating to the Trust.

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

Section 1. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS . The Board of Trustees may appoint from among its members an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and one or more other committees, composed of one or more trustees, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees. The exact composition of each committee, including the total number of trustees and the number of Independent Trustees on each such committee, shall at all times comply with the listing requirements and rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange, as modified or amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as modified or amended from time to time. For purposes of this section, “Independent Trustee” shall have the definition set forth in Section 303A.01 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, as amended from time to time, or such superseding definition as is hereafter promulgated by the New York Stock Exchange.

Section 2. POWERS . The Board of Trustees may delegate to committees appointed under Section 1 of this Article IV any of the powers of the Board of Trustees, except as prohibited by law.

 

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Section 3. MEETINGS . Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Trustees. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee. The act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Trustees may designate a chairman of any committee, and such chairman or, in the absence of a chairman, any two members of any committee (if there are at least two members of the committee) may fix the time and place of its meeting unless the Board shall otherwise provide. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another trustee to act in the place of such absent member.

Section 4. TELEPHONE MEETINGS . Members of a committee of the Board of Trustees may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 5. CONSENT BY COMMITTEES WITHOUT A MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Trustees may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each member of the committee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee.

Section 6. VACANCIES . Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Trustees shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill any vacancy, to designate an alternate member to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such committee.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS . The officers of the Trust shall include a president, a secretary and a treasurer and may include a chairman of the board, a vice chairman of the board, a chief executive officer, one or more vice presidents, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistant treasurers. In addition, the Board of Trustees may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary or desirable. The officers of the Trust shall be elected annually by the Board of Trustees, except that the chief executive officer or president may from time to time appoint one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers or other officers. Each officer shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, or his or her resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices except president and vice president may be held by the same person. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Trust and such officer or agent.

Section 2. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION . Any officer or agent of the Trust may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Trustees if in its judgment the best interests of the Trust would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer of the Trust may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Trustees, the chairman of the board, the chief

 

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executive officer, the president or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Trust.

Section 3. VACANCIES . A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Trustees for the balance of the term.

Section 4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER . The Board of Trustees may designate a chief executive officer. In the absence of such designation, the chairman of the board shall be the chief executive officer of the Trust. The chief executive officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Trust, as determined by the Board of Trustees, and for the management of the business and affairs of the Trust. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Trustees or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Trust or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Trustees from time to time.

Section 5. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER . The Board of Trustees may designate a chief operating officer. The chief operating officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Trustees or the chief executive officer.

Section 6. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER . The Board of Trustees may designate a chief financial officer. The chief financial officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Trustees or the chief executive officer.

Section 7. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD . The Board of Trustees may designate from among its members a chairman of the board, who shall not, solely by reason of these Bylaws, be an officer of the Trust. The Board of Trustees may designate the chairman of the board as an executive or non-executive chairman. The chairman of the board shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Trustees. The chairman of the board shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Trustees.

Section 8. PRESIDENT . In the absence of a chief executive officer, the president shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Trust. In the absence of a designation of a chief operating officer by the Board of Trustees, the president shall be the chief operating officer. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Trustees or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Trust or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Trustees from time to time.

Section 9. VICE PRESIDENTS . In the absence of the president or in the event of a vacancy in such office, the vice president (or in the event there be more than one vice president, the vice presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president; and

 

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shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such vice president by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president, senior vice president, or vice president for particular areas of responsibility.

Section 10. SECRETARY . The secretary shall (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the shareholders, the Board of Trustees and committees of the Board of Trustees in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Trust; (d) keep a register of the post office address of each shareholder which shall be furnished to the secretary by such shareholder; (e) have general charge of the share transfer books of the Trust; and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Trustees.

Section 11. TREASURER . The treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and securities of the Trust, shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Trust, shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Trust in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Trustees and in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Trustees. In the absence of a designation of a chief financial officer by the Board of Trustees, the treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Trust.

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

Section 12. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS . The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the secretary or treasurer, respectively, or by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Trustees.

Section 13. COMPENSATION . The cash compensation and cash incentive compensation of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by Spirit Realty, L.P. (together with its permitted assignees, the “ Manager ”), the Trust’s manager under the asset management agreement, dated May 31, 2018, by and between the Trust and the Manager, as amended from time to time. The equity compensation of the officers shall be fixed from time to time under the authority of the Board of Trustees and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a trustee.

ARTICLE VI

CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

Section 1. CONTRACTS . The Board of Trustees may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Trust and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Trust when duly authorized or ratified by action of the Board of Trustees and executed by an authorized person.

 

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Section 2. CHECKS AND DRAFTS . All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Trust shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Trust in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Trustees.

Section 3. DEPOSITS . All funds of the Trust not otherwise employed shall be deposited or invested from time to time to the credit of the Trust in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Trustees, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief financial officer, or any other officer designated by the Board of Trustees may determine.

ARTICLE VII

SHARES

Section 1. CERTIFICATES . Except as may be otherwise provided by the Board of Trustees, shareholders of the Trust are not entitled to certificates representing the shares of beneficial interest held by them. In the event that the Trust issues shares of beneficial interest represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in such form as prescribed by the Board of Trustees or a duly authorized officer, shall contain any statements and information required by Maryland law and shall be signed by the officers of the Trust in any manner permitted by Maryland law. In the event that the Trust issues shares of beneficial interest without certificates, to the extent then required by Maryland law, the Trust shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by Maryland law to be included on share certificates. There shall be no differences in the rights and obligations of shareholders based on whether or not their shares are represented by certificates.

Section 2. TRANSFERS . All transfers of shares of beneficial interest shall be made on the books of the Trust, by the holder of the shares, in person or by his or her attorney, in such manner as the Board of Trustees or any officer of the Trust may prescribe and, if such shares are certificated, upon surrender of certificates duly endorsed. The issuance of a new certificate upon the transfer of certificated shares is subject to the determination of the Board of Trustees that such shares shall no longer be represented by certificates. Upon the transfer of any uncertificated shares, to the extent then required by Maryland law, the Trust shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by Maryland law to be included on share certificates.

The Trust shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly provided by the laws of the State of Maryland.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of shares will be subject in all respects to the Declaration of Trust and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.

 

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Section 3. REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE . Any officer of the Trust may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Trust alleged to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated; provided, however, if such shares have ceased to be certificated, no new certificate shall be issued unless requested in writing by such shareholder and the Board of Trustees has determined that such certificates may be issued. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the Trust, the owner of such lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, shall be required, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, to give the Trust a bond in such sums as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Trust.

Section 4. FIXING OF RECORD DATE . The Board of Trustees may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than 90 days and, in the case of a meeting of shareholders, not less than ten days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of shareholders of record is to be held or taken.

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

Section 5. SHARE LEDGER . The Trust shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate share ledger containing the name and address of each shareholder and the number of shares of each class held by such shareholder.

Section 6. FRACTIONAL SHARES; ISSUANCE OF UNITS . The Board of Trustees may authorize the Trust to issue fractional shares or authorize the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as it may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, the Board of Trustees may issue units consisting of different securities of the Trust. Any security issued in a unit shall have the same characteristics as any identical securities issued by the Trust, except that the Board of Trustees may provide that for a specified period securities of the Trust issued in such unit may be transferred on the books of the Trust only in such unit.

ARTICLE VIII

ACCOUNTING YEAR

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

 

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ARTICLE IX

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 1. AUTHORIZATION . Dividends and other distributions upon the shares of the Trust may be authorized by the Board of Trustees, subject to the provisions of law and the Declaration of Trust. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or shares of the Trust, subject to the provisions of law and the Declaration of Trust.

Section 2. CONTINGENCIES . Before payment of any dividends or other distributions, there may be set aside out of any assets of the Trust available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board of Trustees may from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends or other distributions, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Trust or for such other purpose as the Board of Trustees shall determine, and the Board of Trustees may modify or abolish any such reserve.

ARTICLE X

INVESTMENT POLICY

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

ARTICLE XI

SEAL

Section 1. SEAL . The Board of Trustees may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Trust. The seal shall contain the name of the Trust and the year of its formation and the words “Formed Maryland.” The Board of Trustees may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.

Section 2. AFFIXING SEAL . Whenever the Trust is permitted or required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word “(SEAL)” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Trust.

ARTICLE XII

INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCE OF EXPENSES

To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, the Trust shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, shall pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any individual who is a present or former trustee or officer of the Trust and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (b) any individual who, while a trustee or officer of the Trust and at the request of the Trust, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, member, manager, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The rights to indemnification and advance of expenses provided by the Declaration of Trust and

 

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these Bylaws shall vest immediately upon election of a trustee or officer. The Trust may, with the approval of its Board of Trustees, provide such indemnification and advance for expenses to an individual who served a predecessor of the Trust in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Trust or a predecessor of the Trust. The indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of or limit in any way other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses may be or may become entitled under any bylaw, resolution, insurance, agreement or otherwise.

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

ARTICLE XIII

FORUM FOR ADJUDICATION OF DISPUTES

Unless the Trust consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Trust, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any present or former trustee or officer or other employee or shareholder of the Trust to the Trust or the Trust’s shareholders or any standard of conduct applicable to the trustees of the Trust, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Maryland REIT Law, the MGCL, the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland or, if that Court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division, in all cases subject to the court’s having personal jurisdiction over the indispensible parties named as defendants. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of beneficial interest of the Trust shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XIII.

ARTICLE XIV

WAIVER OF NOTICE

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

 

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ARTICLE XV

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

The Board of Trustees shall have the power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of these Bylaws and to make new Bylaws. In addition, the shareholders of the Trust may alter or repeal any provision of these Bylaws and adopt new Bylaws if any such alteration, repeal or adoption is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

ARTICLE XVI

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1. SEVERABILITY . If any provision of the Bylaws shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such holding shall apply only to the extent of any such invalidity or unenforceability and shall not in any manner affect, impair or render invalid or unenforceable any other provision of the Bylaws in any jurisdiction.

Section 2. VOTING STOCK IN OTHER COMPANIES . Stock of other corporations or associations, registered in the name of the Trust, may be voted by the chief executive officer, the president, a vice-president, or a proxy appointed by any of them. The Board of Trustees, however, may by resolution appoint some other person to vote such shares, in which case such person shall be entitled to vote such shares upon the production of a certified copy of such resolution.

Section 3. EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS . A person who holds more than one office in the Trust may not act in more than one capacity to execute, acknowledge, or verify an instrument required by law to be executed, acknowledged, or verified by more than one officer.

Section 4. SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN . The Trust shall seek shareholder approval prior to its adoption of a Rights Plan unless the Board of Trustees determines that, under the circumstances existing at the time, it is in the best interests of the shareholders to adopt a Rights Plan without delay. If a Rights Plan is adopted or extended by the Board of Trustees without prior stockholder approval, such plan must provide that it will expire unless ratified by the shareholders within 12 months of adoption or extension. As used in this section, the term “Rights Plan” refers generally to any plan providing for the distribution of preferred shares, rights, warrants, options or debt instruments to the shareholders of the Trust, designed to assist the Board of Trustees in the exercise of its duties in connection with actual or potential unsolicited takeover proposals or significant share accumulations by conferring certain rights to shareholders upon the occurrence of a “triggering event” such as a tender offer or third-party acquisition of a specified percentage of shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Bylaws, this Section 4 may not be altered, amended or repealed except by the shareholders of the Trust by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

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Exhibit 10.1

ASSET MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

dated as of May 31, 2018

between

SPIRIT MTA REIT

and

SPIRIT REALTY, L.P.

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SECTION 1.

    

DEFINITIONS

     1  

SECTION 2.

    

APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF THE MANAGER

     6  

SECTION 3.

    

DEVOTION OF TIME; ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

     10  

SECTION 4.

    

AGENCY

     11  

SECTION 5.

    

BANK ACCOUNTS

     11  

SECTION 6.

    

RECORDS; CONFIDENTIALITY

     11  

SECTION 7.

    

OBLIGATIONS OF MANAGER; RESTRICTIONS.

     12  

SECTION 8.

    

COMPENSATION

     12  

SECTION 9.

    

EXPENSES

     13  

SECTION 10.

    

LIMITS OF MANAGER RESPONSIBILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

     15  

SECTION 11.

    

NO JOINT VENTURE

     16  

SECTION 12.

    

TERM; TERMINATION

     16  

SECTION 13.

    

TERMINATION FEE

     17  

SECTION 14.

    

PROMOTE

     17  

SECTION 15.

    

ASSIGNMENT

     18  

SECTION 16.

    

ACTION UPON TERMINATION

     19  

SECTION 17.

    

RELEASE OF MONEY OR OTHER PROPERTY UPON WRITTEN REQUEST

     19  

SECTION 18.

    

NOTICES

     20  

SECTION 19.

    

BINDING NATURE OF AGREEMENT; SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

     20  

SECTION 20.

    

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

     20  

SECTION 21.

    

ARBITRATION

     20  


SECTION 22.

    

NAME LICENSE

     23  

SECTION 23.

    

CONTROLLING LAW

     23  

SECTION 24.

    

INDULGENCES, NOT WAIVERS

     23  

SECTION 25.

    

TITLES NOT TO AFFECT INTERPRETATION

     23  

SECTION 26.

    

EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS

     24  

SECTION 27.

    

PROVISIONS SEPARABLE

     24  

 


ASSET MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

THIS ASSET MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of May 31, 2018 by and between Spirit MTA REIT, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “ Company ”), and Spirit Realty, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (together with its permitted assignees, the “ Manager ”).

WHEREAS, the Company desires to avail itself of the experience, sources of information, advice, assistance and certain facilities of, or available to, the Manager and to have the Manager undertake the duties and responsibilities hereinafter set forth, on behalf of the Company, as provided in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Manager is willing to render such services on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

NOW THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION OF THE MUTUAL AGREEMENTS HEREIN SET FORTH, THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.

The following terms have the meanings assigned to them:

AAA ” has the meaning set forth in Section 21 of this Agreement.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such Person, (ii) any executive officer, general partner or managing member of such Person, (iii) any member of the board of directors or board of managers (or bodies performing similar functions) of such Person, and (iv) any legal entity for which such Person acts as an executive officer, general partner or managing member. For purposes of this Agreement, the Company shall not be considered an Affiliate of the Manager.

Agreement ” means this Asset Management Agreement, as amended from time to time.

Appellate Rules ” has the meaning set forth in Section 21 of this Agreement.

Award ” has the meaning set forth in Section 21 of this Agreement.

Board of Trustees ” means the board of trustees of the Company.

Change in Control ” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

(i) a transaction or series of transactions whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

 

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(ii) during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board of Trustees together with any new trustee(s) (other than a trustee designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in the preceding clause (i) or the succeeding clause (iii) of this definition) whose election by the Board of Trustees or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the trustees then still in office who either were trustees at the beginning of the two (2)-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or

(iii) the consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (A) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination, (B) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (C) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case, other than a transaction:

(1) which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “ Successor Entity ”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and following which the Successor Entity continues to own all or substantially all the assets that the Company owned immediately before the transaction and succeeds to its business, and

(2) after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this clause (iii)(2) as beneficially owning fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction; or

(iv) approval by the Company’s shareholders of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

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

Common Share ” means a common share of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company now or hereafter authorized as common voting shares of the Company.

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

Company Account ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5 of this Agreement.

Company Indemnified Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10 of this Agreement.

Company TSR Percentage ” means the XIRR, expressed as a percentage (rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent (0.1%)), during the Measurement Period due to the appreciation in the price per Common Share, plus dividends declared during the Measurement Period, assuming dividends are reinvested in Common Shares on the date that they were paid (at a price equal to the closing price per Common Share on the applicable dividend payment date); provided, however, that for purposes of calculating the Company TSR Percentage, the initial share price shall equal the Initial Price Per Share and the final share price as of any given date shall equal the Share Value.

 

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Company TSR Amount ” means the sum of the price per Common Share on the last day of the Measurement Period, plus the sum of all dividends declared during the Measurement Period, assuming dividends are reinvested in Common Shares on the date that they were paid (at a price equal to the closing price per Common Share on the applicable dividend payment date); provided, however, that for purposes of calculating the Company TSR Amount, the initial share price shall equal the Initial Price Per Share and the final share price as of any given date shall equal the Share Value.

Conflicts of Interest Policy ” refers to the conflicts of interest policy included in the Investment Manual.

Disputes ” has the meaning set forth in Section 21 of this Agreement.

Distribution Date ” means May 31, 2018.

Effective Termination Date ” means the earliest to occur of (i) the date designated by the Company pursuant to Section 12(b)(i) or Section 12(c)(i) on which the Manager shall cease to provide services under this Agreement and (ii) the effective date of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 12(b)(ii) and Section 12(c)(ii).

Excess Funds ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(i) of this Agreement.

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

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

Governing Instruments ” means, with regard to any entity, the declaration of trust and bylaws in the case of a real estate investment trust, the articles of incorporation and bylaws in the case of a corporation, the certificate of limited partnership (if applicable) and the partnership agreement in the case of a general or limited partnership, the articles of formation and the operating agreement in the case of a limited liability company, or, in each case, comparable governing documents.

Hurdle TSR Amount ” means an indicative price per Common Share on the last day of the Measurement Period calculated assuming appreciation in the price per Common Share based on a specified Company TSR Percentage during the Measurement Period; provided, however, that for purposes of calculating the Hurdle TSR Amount, the initial share price shall equal the Initial Price Per Share.

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10 of this Agreement.

Independent Trustees ” means the members of the Board of Trustees who are not officers or employees of the Manager, and who are otherwise “independent” in accordance with the Company’s Governing Instruments and the rules of the NYSE or such other securities exchange on which the Common Shares are listed.

Initial Price Per Share ” means the VWAP per Common Share for the 30 consecutive trading days on the principal exchange on which such shares are then traded immediately following the Distribution Date.

 

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Investment Manual ” means the investment manual approved by the Board of Trustees, as the same may amended, restated, modified, supplemented or waived pursuant to the approval of a majority of the entire Board of Trustees from time to time (which must include a majority of the Independent Trustees).

Investments ” means the investments of the Company.

Investment Company Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Licensed Name ” has the meaning set forth in Section 22 of this Agreement.

Losses ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10 of this Agreement.

License Term ” has the meaning set forth in Section 22 of this Agreement.

Management Fee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a) of this Agreement.

Management Fee PIK Event ” means (i) the good faith determination by the Board of Trustees that forgoing the payment of all or any portion of the monthly installment of the Management Fee is necessary for the Company to have sufficient funds to declare and pay dividends required to be paid in cash in order for the Company to maintain its status as a REIT under the Code and to avoid incurring income or excise taxes, or (ii) the occurrence and continuance of an “Early Amortization Event,” “Event of Default” or “Sweep Period,” in each case, as defined under the Second Amended and Restated Master Indenture, dated as of May 20, 2014, among Spirit Master Funding, LLC, Spirit Master Funding II, LLC, Spirit Master Funding III, LLC and Citibank, N.A., as amended and supplemented from time to time, such definitions not to be revised, modified or amended without prior written consent by Manager.

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

Measurement Period ” means the period commencing on the Distribution Date and ending upon the earlier of (i) the Effective Termination Date and (ii) the date that is 42 full calendar months after the Distribution Date.

Notice of Proposal to Negotiate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12(b)(i) of this Agreement.

NYSE ” means the New York Stock Exchange.

Operating Partnership ” means Spirit MTA REIT, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, of which Spirit MTA OP Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is the sole general partner. The Company is the managing member of Spirit MTA OP Holdings, LLC.

Original Term ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12(a) of this Agreement.

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, estate, trust, joint venture, any federal, state, county or municipal government or any bureau, department or agency thereof or any other legal entity and any fiduciary acting in such capacity on behalf of the foregoing.

Preferred Share ” means a share of share capital of the Company now or hereafter authorized or reclassified that has dividend rights, or rights upon liquidation, winding up and dissolution, that are superior or prior to the Common Shares.

 

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Promote ” has the meaning set forth in Section 14 of this Agreement.

Property Management Agreement ” means the Second Amended and Restated Property Management and Servicing Agreement dated May 20, 2014, by and among Spirit Realty, L.P., Spirit Master Funding, LLC, Spirit Master Funding II, LLC, Spirit Master Funding III, LLC and Midland Loan Services, a division of PNC Bank, National Association, as subsequently amended.

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

Renewal Term ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12(a) of this Agreement.

Rules ” has the meaning set forth in Section 21 of this Agreement.

SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Series A Preferred Shares ” means the Series A preferred shares of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.

Share Value ,” as of any given date, means the VWAP per Common Share for the 10 consecutive trading days on the principal exchange on which such shares are then traded immediately preceding such date; provided, however, that if a Change in Control causes the end of the Measurement Period, Share Value shall mean the price per Common Share paid by the acquiror in the Change in Control transaction or, to the extent that the consideration in the Change in Control transaction is paid in stock of the acquiror or its affiliates, the Share Value shall mean the value of the consideration paid per Common Share based on the VWAP per share of such acquiror stock for the 10 consecutive trading days on the principal exchange on which such shares are then traded immediately preceding the date on which a Change in Control occurs.

Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Company and any partnership, the general partner of which is the Company or any subsidiary of the Company and any limited liability company, the managing member of which is the Company or any subsidiary of the Company.

Termination Fee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 13 of this Agreement.

Termination Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12(b)(i) of this Agreement.

Transition Services Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12(b)(i) of this Agreement.

VWAP ” means the volume weighted average price.

XIRR ” means the Extended Internal Rate of Return as calculated by using the “=XIRR” function in Microsoft Excel.

 

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SECTION 2. APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF THE MANAGER.

(a) The Company hereby appoints the Manager to manage the assets of the Company, subject to the further terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the Manager hereby agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to perform each of the duties set forth herein. The appointment of the Manager shall be exclusive to the Manager, except to the extent that the Manager elects, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to cause the duties of the Manager hereunder to be provided by third parties.

(b) The Manager, in its capacity as manager of the assets and the day-to-day operations of the Company (and all subsidiaries and joint ventures of the Company), at all times will be subject to the supervision, direction and management of the Board of Trustees and will have only such functions and authority as the Company may delegate to it. The Company hereby reserves to a majority of the Board of Trustees (three (3) of whom must be independent) the following powers:

(i) the authority to determine or change the strategic direction of the Company at any time and in the sole discretion of the Board of Trustees;

(ii) the approval of prospective Investments, to the extent required by the Investment Manual or the Conflicts of Interest Policy, which may not be amended in a manner that is detrimental to the Company without approval by a majority of the Independent Trustees, it being understood that the Board of Trustees shall have the power to reject prospective Investments, even if such Investments comply with the criteria outlined in the Investment Manual;

(iii) the approval or disapproval of prospective dispositions of Investments, to the extent required by the Investment Manual, as it may be amended by the Board of Trustees from time to time;

(iv) the approval of the terms of loan documents for the Company’s financings;

(v) the approval of the Company’s annual budget (which shall address in reasonable detail, among other matters, financing plans and capital planning, it being understood that the Manager will submit such budget in advance to the Board of Trustees for review and approval, and will provide quarterly updates of performance against the annual budget to the Board of Trustees;

(vi) the approval of the retention of the Company’s registered public accountants;

(vii) the approval of any material transaction between the Company and the Manager and its Affiliates, other than transactions pursuant to this Agreement, the Property Management Agreement and other transactions in effect as of the Distribution Date;

(viii) the issuance of equity or debt securities by the Company;

(ix) the grant of equity incentive awards by the Company;

(x) the entry into joint ventures by the Company or its Subsidiaries;

(xi) the approval of entry into any transaction that would constitute a Change in Control; and

 

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(xii) such other matters as may be determined by the Board of Trustees from time to time.

(c) The Company, subject to Section 2(b), hereby delegates the following functions and authority to the Manager. Subject to the Section 2(b), the Manager will be responsible for managing the assets and the day-to-day operations of the Company and will perform (or cause to be performed) such services and activities relating to the assets and operations of the Company as may be appropriate, including, without limitation:

(i) sourcing, investigating and evaluating prospective Investments and dispositions of Investments, subject to and consistent with the Investment Manual, and making recommendations with respect thereto to the Board of Trustees, where applicable;

(ii) subject to and consistent with the Investment Manual, conducting negotiations with brokers, sellers and purchasers, and their respective agents and representatives, investment bankers and owners of privately and publicly held real estate or related assets, regarding the purchase, sale, exchange or other disposition of any Investments;

(iii) managing and monitoring the operating performance of Investments and providing periodic reports to the Board of Trustees, including comparative information with respect to such operating performance and budgeted or projected operating results;

(iv) assisting the Company in developing criteria that are specifically tailored to the Company’s investment objectives and making available to the Company the Manager’s knowledge and experience with respect to its target assets;

(v) engaging and supervising independent contractors that provide services relating to the Company or the Investments, including, but not limited to, investment banking, legal or regulatory advisory, tax advisory, accounting advisory, securities brokerage, property management/operations, property condition, real estate and leasing advisory and brokerage, and other financial and consulting services reasonably necessary for Manager to perform its duties hereunder (it being understood that the Board of Trustees and its Audit Committee shall retain authority to determine the Company’s independent public accountant and that the Independent Trustees and any committee of the Board of Trustees shall retain the authority to hire its or their own attorneys or other advisors);

(vi) subject to any required approval of the Board of Trustees, negotiating, on behalf of the Company, the terms of loan documents for the Company’s financings;

(vii) enforcing, monitoring and managing compliance with loan documents to which the Company is a party on behalf of the Company;

(viii) coordinating and managing operations of any joint venture or co-investment interests held by the Company and conducting all matters with the joint venture or co-investment partners;

(ix) coordinating and supervising all property managers, tenant operators, leasing agents and developers for the administration, leasing, management and/or development of any of the Investments;

 

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(x) providing executive and administrative personnel, office space and office services required in rendering services to the Company;

(xi) administering bookkeeping and accounting functions as are required for the management and operation of the Company, contracting for audits and preparing or causing to be prepared such periodic reports and filings as may be required by any governmental authority in connection with the ordinary conduct of the Company’s business, and otherwise advising and assisting the Company with its compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including, without limitation, periodic reports, returns or statements required under the Exchange Act, the Code and any regulations or rulings thereunder, the securities and tax statutes of any jurisdiction in which the Company is obligated to file such reports, or the rules and regulations promulgated under any of the foregoing;

(xii) advising and assisting in the preparation and filing of all offering documents, registration statements, prospectuses, proxies, and other forms or documents filed with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act or any state securities regulators (it being understood that the Company shall be responsible for the content of any and all of its offering documents, SEC filings or state regulatory filings, and that Manager shall not be held liable for any costs or liabilities arising out of any misstatements or omissions in the Company’s offering documents, SEC filings, state regulatory filings or other filings referred to in this subparagraph, whether or not material (except by reason of acts constituting bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of Manager’s duties under this Agreement);

(xiii) causing the Company to retain qualified accountants and legal counsel, as applicable, to assist in developing appropriate accounting procedures, compliance procedures and testing systems with respect to financial reporting obligations and compliance with the provisions of the Code applicable to REITs (it being understood that the Board of Trustees and its Audit Committee shall retain authority to determine the Company’s independent public accountant and that the Independent Trustees and any Committee of the Board of Trustees shall retain the authority to hire its or their own attorneys or other advisors);

(xiv) taking all necessary actions to enable the Company to make required tax filings and reports, including soliciting shareholders for required information to the extent required by the provisions of the Code applicable to REITs;

(xv) counseling the Company regarding the maintenance of its status as a REIT and monitoring compliance with the various REIT qualification tests and other rules set out in the Code and Treasury Regulations thereunder;

(xvi) counseling the Company regarding the maintenance of its exemption from the Investment Company Act and monitoring compliance with the requirements for maintaining an exemption from the Investment Company Act;

(xvii) counseling the Company in connection with policy decisions to be made by the Board of Trustees;

 

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(xviii) evaluating and recommending to the Board of Trustees modifications to any hedging strategies in effect on the date hereof and engaging in hedging activities;

(xix) communicating with the Company’s investors and analysts as required to satisfy reporting or other requirements of any governing body or exchange on which the Company’s securities are traded and to maintain effective relations with such investors;

(xx) investing and re-investing any moneys and securities of the Company (including investing in short-term Investments pending investment in Investments, payment of fees, costs and expenses, or payments of dividends or distributions to shareholders and partners of the Company) and advising the Company as to its capital structure and capital raising;

(xxi) causing the Company to qualify to do business in all applicable jurisdictions and to obtain and maintain all appropriate licenses;

(xxii) handling and resolving all claims, disputes or controversies (including all litigation, arbitration, settlement or other proceedings or negotiations) in which the Company may be involved or to which the Company may be subject arising out of the Company’s day-to-day operations, subject to such limitations or parameters as may be imposed from time to time by the Board of Trustees;

(xxiii) using commercially reasonable efforts to cause expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company to be within any expense guidelines set by the Board of Trustees from time to time;

(xxiv) performing such other services as may be required from time to time for management and other activities relating to the assets of the Company as the Board of Trustees and Manager shall agree from time to time; and

(xxv) using commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Company to comply with all applicable laws and regulations in all material respects, subject to the Company providing appropriate, necessary and timely funding of capital.

The Board of Trustee has dispositive power in the event of any conflict between the Board of Trustees and the Manager with respect to the functions and authority delegated to the Manager above.

Without limiting the foregoing, the Manager will perform portfolio management services on behalf of the Company with respect to the Investments. Such services will include, but not be limited to, consulting with the Company on the purchase and sale of, and other investment opportunities in connection with, the Company’s portfolio of assets; the collection of information and the submission of reports pertaining to the Company’s assets, interest rates and general economic conditions; periodic review and evaluation of the performance of the Company’s portfolio of assets; acting as liaison between the Company and banking, mortgage banking, investment banking and other parties with respect to the purchase, financing and disposition of assets; and other customary functions related to portfolio management. Additionally, the Manager will perform monitoring services on behalf of the Company with respect to any services provided by third parties, which the Manager determines are material to the performance of the business.

(d) Subject to Section 2(b) above and the Conflicts of Interest Policy, the Manager may enter into agreements with other parties in connection with its duties hereunder.

 

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(e) The Manager may retain, for and on behalf, and at the sole cost and expense, of the Company, such services of accountants, legal counsel, tax counsel, appraisers, insurers, brokers or business developers, transfer agents, registrars, developers, investment banks, financial advisors, underwriters, banks and other lenders and others as the Manager deems necessary or advisable in connection with the management and operations of the Company. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Manager shall have the right to cause any such services to be rendered by its employees or Affiliates (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes any employees, consultants or agents of any Affiliate of the Manager).

(f) As frequently as the Manager may deem necessary or advisable, or at the direction of the Board of Trustees, the Manager shall, at the sole cost and expense of the Company, prepare, or cause to be prepared, with respect to any Investment (i) an appraisal prepared by an independent real estate appraiser; (ii) reports and information on the Company’s operations and asset performance; and (iii) other information reasonably requested by the Company.

(g) The Manager shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, at the sole cost and expense of the Company, all reports, financial or otherwise, with respect to the Company required by the Board of Trustees in order for the Company to comply with its Governing Instruments or any other materials required to be filed with any governmental body or agency, as well as all materials and data necessary to complete such reports and other materials including, without limitation, an annual audit of the Company’s books of account by a nationally recognized independent accounting firm.

(h) The Manager shall prepare regular reports for the Board of Trustees to enable the Board of Trustees to review the Company’s acquisitions, portfolio composition and characteristics, credit quality, performance and compliance with the Investment Manual and any policies approved by the Board of Trustees.

(i) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Manager shall not be required to expend money (“ Excess Funds ”) in excess of that contained in any applicable Company Account or otherwise made available by the Company to be expended by the Manager hereunder. Failure of the Manager to expend Excess Funds out-of-pocket shall not give rise or be a contributing factor to the right of the Company under Section 12(b) to terminate this Agreement due to the Manager’s unsatisfactory performance.

(j) In performing its duties under this Section 2, the Manager shall be entitled to rely reasonably on qualified experts hired by the Manager.

SECTION 3. DEVOTION OF TIME; ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES.

(a) The Manager will provide a management team, including a dedicated chief executive officer and a dedicated chief financial officer, to provide the management services hereunder. The members of such team shall devote such of their time to the management of the Company as is reasonably necessary and appropriate.

(b) Except to the extent set forth in clause (a) above or in the Conflicts of Interest Policy, nothing herein shall prevent the Manager or any of its Affiliates or any of the officers and employees of any of the foregoing from engaging in other businesses or from rendering services of any kind to any other

 

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person or entity, including investment in, or advisory service to others investing in, any type of real estate or real estate related investment, including investments which meet the principal investment objectives of the Company. Subject to the Conflicts of Interest Policy, the Company recognizes that it is not entitled to preferential treatment in receiving information, recommendations and other services from the Manager. The Manager shall act in good faith to endeavor to identify to the Independent Trustees any conflicts that may arise among the Company, the Manager and/or any other person or entity on whose behalf the Manager may be engaged. When allocating investment opportunities among the persons or entities for which the Manager acts as manager, the Manager will comply with its Conflicts of Interest Policy as in effect from time to time

(c) Managers, members, officers, employees and agents of the Manager or Affiliates of the Manager may serve as trustees, officers, employees, agents, nominees or signatories for the Company or any Subsidiary, to the extent permitted by the Governing Instruments of the Company or any such Subsidiary, as from time to time amended, or by any resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Trustees pursuant to the Company’s Governing Instruments. When executing documents or otherwise acting in such capacities for the Company, such persons shall use their respective titles in the Company.

SECTION 4. AGENCY.

The Manager shall act as agent of the Company in making, acquiring, financing and disposing of Investments, disbursing and collecting the Company’s funds, paying the debts and fulfilling the obligations of the Company, supervising the performance of professionals engaged by or on behalf of the Company and handling, prosecuting and settling any claims of or against the Company, the Board of Trustees, holders of the Company’s securities or the Company’s representatives or properties.

SECTION 5. BANK ACCOUNTS.

The Manager may establish and maintain one or more bank accounts in the name of the Company or any Subsidiary (any such account, a “ Company Account ”), and may collect and deposit funds into any such Company Account or Company Accounts, and disburse funds from any such Company Account or Company Accounts; and the Manager shall from time to time render appropriate accountings of such collections and payments to the Board of Trustees and, upon request, to the auditors of the Company or any Subsidiary.

SECTION 6. RECORDS; CONFIDENTIALITY.

The Manager shall maintain appropriate books of accounts and records relating to services performed under this Agreement, and such books of account and records shall be accessible for inspection by representatives of the Company at any time during normal business hours upon reasonable advance notice to the Manager.

The Manager shall keep confidential any and all non-public information obtained in connection with the services rendered under this Agreement and shall not disclose any such information to any person, except to (i) its Affiliates, members, officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives or advisors who have a need to know such information in order to carry out their duties to the Company and who have a duty to the Manager or to the Company to keep such information confidential, (ii) appraisers, financing sources and others in the ordinary course of the Manager’s business for the purpose of rendering services hereunder, provided that such persons agree to keep such information confidential, (iii) in connection with any governmental or regulatory requests of the Manager and any of its Affiliates, (v) as required by

 

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applicable law or regulation, including any applicable disclosure requirements applicable to the Manager and its Affiliates under securities or blue sky laws or stock exchange listing requirements, or (vi) with the prior written consent of the Board of Trustees.

SECTION 7. OBLIGATIONS OF MANAGER; RESTRICTIONS.

(a) The Manager shall require each seller or transferor of Investments to the Company to make such representations and warranties regarding such assets as may, in the sole judgment made in good faith of the Manager, be necessary and appropriate. In addition, the Manager shall take such other action as it deems necessary or appropriate with regard to the protection of the Investments.

(b) The Manager shall refrain from any action that, in its sole judgment made in good faith, (i) is not in compliance with the Investment Manual, (ii) can reasonably be expected to result in the loss of the Company’s status as a REIT under the Code or (iii) would violate any law, rule or regulation of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over the Company or any Subsidiary that would materially adversely affect the Company or that would otherwise not be permitted by such entity’s Governing Instruments. If the Manager is ordered to take any such action by the Board of Trustees, the Manager shall promptly notify the Board of Trustees of the Manager’s judgment that such action would adversely affect such status or violate any such law, rule or regulation or the Governing Instruments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Manager and its Affiliates, officers and employees shall not be liable to the Company or any Subsidiary, the Board of Trustees, or the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s shareholders or partners for any act or omission by the Manager, its Affiliates, officers or employees except as provided in Section 10.

(c) The Manager shall at all times during the term of this Agreement (including the Original Term and any renewal term) maintain a tangible net worth equal to or greater than $1,000,000. Additionally, during such period the Manager shall maintain “errors and omissions” insurance coverage and other insurance coverage which is customarily carried by asset and investment managers performing functions similar to those of the Manager under this Agreement with respect to assets similar to the assets of the Company, in an amount which is comparable to that customarily maintained by other managers or servicers of similar assets.

SECTION 8. COMPENSATION.

(a) The Company shall pay Manager a management fee (“ Management Fee ”) equal to $20.0 million per annum, payable in equal monthly installments, in arrears, on the tenth day of each calendar month beginning with the first calendar month after the date of this Agreement; provided , however , that (i) in the event of a Management Fee PIK Event arising under clause (i) of the definition thereof, the portion of the monthly installment of the Management Fee that is necessary for the Company to have sufficient funds to declare and pay dividends required to be paid in cash in order for the Company to maintain its status as a REIT under the Code and to avoid incurring income or excise taxes shall, during the occurrence and continuation of any such Management Fee PIK Event, be payable in a number of Series A Preferred Shares determined by dividing such portion of the Management Fee by the liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Shares rounded down to the nearest whole share and (ii) in the event of a Management Fee PIK Event arising under clause (ii) of the definition thereof, that the entire monthly installment of the Management Fee shall, during the occurrence and continuation of any such Management Fee PIK Event, be payable in a number of Series A Preferred Shares determined by dividing the Management Fee by the liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Shares rounded down to the nearest whole share. In the event that this Agreement commences on a date other than the first day of a

 

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calendar month, or terminates on a date other than the last day of a calendar month, the installment of the Management Fee payable for that month shall be prorated for the actual number of days that this Agreement is effective in that calendar month.

(b) The Management Fee is subject to adjustment pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 12(b).

(c) To incentivize employees, officers, consultants, non-employee trustees, Affiliates or representatives of the Manager to achieve the goals and business objectives of the Company as established by the Board of Trustees, in addition to the Management Fee set forth above, the Board of Trustees will have the authority to make recommendations of annual equity awards to the Manager or its affiliates or directly to employees, officers, consultants, non-employee trustees, Affiliates or representatives of the Manager (including the dedicated chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the Company), based on the achievement by the Company of certain financial or other objectives established by the Board of Trustees; provided that, no equity awards by the Company to employees or officers of the Manager (including the dedicated chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the Company) shall be made without the Manager’s prior written consent. The Company, at its option, may choose to issue such compensation in the form of equity awards in the Company or the Operating Partnership, unless and to the extent that receipt of such equity awards would adversely affect the Company’s status as a REIT, in which case, the equity awards shall be limited to equity awards in the Operating Partnership, unless and to the extent that receipt of such equity awards would adversely affect the Operating Partnership’s status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes or the Company’s status as a REIT, in which case, the grant of equity awards shall not be made. Any transfer of such equity awards at any time must comply with the transfer restrictions of the Operating Partnership’s partnership agreement or the Company’s declaration of trust and bylaws, as applicable.

SECTION 9. EXPENSES.

(a) Expenses of the Manager . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or approved by majority vote of the Independent Trustees or the Audit Committee of the Board, the Manager shall bear the following expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement:

(i) base salary, cash incentive compensation and other employment expenses (excluding equity awards granted by the Company pursuant to Section 8(c)) of the dedicated chief executive officer and dedicated chief financial officer of the Company;

(ii) employment expenses of other personnel employed by the Manager, including, but not limited to, salaries, wages, payroll taxes and the cost of employee benefit plans;

(iii) fees and travel and other expenses of officers and employees of the Manager, except for (A) fees and travel and other expenses of such persons incurred while performing services on behalf of the Company (provided that, if such fees and travel and other expenses are incurred while providing services on behalf of both the Company and its affiliates and Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. and its affiliates, the Manager shall have the authority to reasonably allocate such fees and travel and other expenses between the entities), and (B) fees and travel and other expenses of such persons who are trustees or officers of the Company incurred in their capacities as trustees or officers of the Company;

(iv) rent, telephone, utilities, office furniture, equipment and machinery (including

 

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computers, to the extent utilized) and other office expenses of the Manager, except to the extent such expenses relate solely to an office maintained by the Company separate from the office of the Manager; and

(v) miscellaneous administrative expenses relating to performance by the Manager of its obligations hereunder.

(b) Expenses of the Company . Except as expressly otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Company shall pay all of its and its Subsidiaries’ expenses, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is specifically agreed that the following expenses of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be paid by the Company or its Subsidiaries and shall not be paid by the Manager:

(i) the cost of borrowed money;

(ii) taxes on income and taxes and assessments on real and personal property, if any, and all other taxes applicable to the Company or its Subsidiaries;

(iii) legal, auditing, accounting, underwriting, brokerage, listing, reporting, registration and other fees, and printing, engraving and other expenses and taxes incurred in connection with the issuance, distribution, transfer, trading, registration and listing of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries securities on the stock exchange, including transfer agent’s, registrar’s and indenture trustee’s fees and charges;

(iv) expenses of organizing, restructuring, reorganizing or liquidating the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or of revising, amending, converting or modifying the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ organizational documents;

(v) fees and travel and other expenses paid to members of the Board of Trustees and officers of the Company or those of individuals in similar positions with any of its Subsidiaries in their capacities as such (but not in their capacities as officers or employees of the Manager) and fees and travel and other expenses paid to advisors, contractors, mortgage servicers, consultants, and other agents and independent contractors employed by or on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(vi) expenses directly connected with the investigation, acquisition, disposition or ownership of real estate interests or other property (including third party property diligence costs, appraisal reporting, the costs of foreclosure, insurance premiums, legal services, brokerage and sales commissions, maintenance, repair, improvement and local management of property), other than expenses with respect thereto of employees of the Manager, to the extent that such expenses are to be borne by the Manager pursuant to Section 9(a) above;

(vii) all insurance costs incurred in connection with the Company and its Subsidiaries (including officer and trustee liability insurance) or in connection with any officer and trustee indemnity agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party;

(viii) expenses connected with payments of dividends or interest or contributions in cash or any other form made or caused to be made by the Trustees to holders of securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

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(ix) all expenses connected with communications to holders of securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries and other bookkeeping and clerical work necessary to maintaining relations with holders of securities, including the cost of any transfer agent, the cost of preparing, printing, posting, distributing and mailing certificates for securities and proxy solicitation materials and reports to holders of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ securities;

(x) legal, accounting and auditing fees and expenses in addition to those described in subsection (iii) above;

(xi) filing and recording fees for regulatory or governmental filings, approvals and notices to the extent not otherwise covered by any of the foregoing items of this Section 9(b);

(xii) expenses relating to any office or office facilities maintained by the Company or its Subsidiaries separate from the office of the Manager;

(xiii) software licensing fees and other fees and costs associated with proprietary software and programs used separately by the Company;

(xiv) the costs and expenses of all equity award or compensation plans or arrangements established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including the value of awards made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Manager or its employees, if any, and payment of any employment or withholding taxes in connection therewith; and

(xv) all other costs and expenses of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than those to be specifically borne by the Manager pursuant to Section 9(a) above.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to amend or modify the Property Management Agreement.

SECTION 10. LIMITS OF MANAGER RESPONSIBILITY; INDEMNIFICATION.

(a) The Manager assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services called for under this Agreement in good faith and shall not be responsible for any action of the Board of Trustees in following or declining to follow any advice or recommendations of the Manager, including as set forth in Section 7(b). The Manager, its members, managers, officers and employees will not be liable to the Company or any Subsidiary, to the Board of Trustees, or the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s shareholders or partners for any acts or omissions by the Manager, its Affiliates, members, managers, officers or employees, pursuant to or in accordance with this Agreement, except by reason of acts constituting bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence. The Company shall, to the full extent lawful, reimburse, indemnify and hold the Manager, its Affiliates, members, managers, officers and employees, sub-advisers and each other Person, if any, controlling the Manager (each, an “ Indemnified Party ”), harmless of and from any and all expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, demands, charges and claims of any nature whatsoever (including attorneys’ fees) (collectively, “ Losses ”) in respect of or arising from any acts or omissions of such Indemnified Party made in good faith in the performance of the Manager’s duties under this Agreement and not constituting such Indemnified Party’s bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence.

(b) The Manager shall, to the full extent lawful, reimburse, indemnify and hold the Company, its shareholders, trustees, officers and employees and each other Person, if any, controlling the Company (each, a “ Company Indemnified Party ”), harmless of and from any and all Losses in respect of or arising from any acts or omissions of the Manager constituting bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence.

 

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SECTION 11. NO JOINT VENTURE.

Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to make the Company and the Manager partners or joint venturers or impose any liability as such on either of them.

SECTION 12. TERM; TERMINATION.

(a) Term . Unless terminated in accordance with Section 15(a), this Agreement shall be in effect until the date that is three years after the date hereof (the “ Original Term ”). At the expiration of the Original Term, this Agreement shall be deemed renewed automatically each year for an additional one-year period (each, a “ Renewal Term ”), unless terminated pursuant to Section 12(b) or Section 12(c) below.

(b) Termination without Cause .

(i) Termination by the Company . The Company may terminate this Agreement at any time upon 180-day written notice to the Manager informing it of the Company’s intention to terminate this Agreement. Effective on the termination date of this Agreement under this Section 12(b)(i), the Company and the Manager will enter into a transition services agreement (“ Transition Services Agreement ”), upon mutually acceptable terms, that shall be in effect until the date that is eight months after the date of the termination of this Agreement. For its services under the Transition Services Agreement, the Company shall pay the Manager the Management Fee, pro rated for the eights-month term of the Transition Services Agreement, payable in equal monthly installments, in arrears, on the tenth day of each calendar month beginning with the first calendar month after the date of termination of this Agreement.

(ii) Termination by the Manager . No later than 180 days prior to the expiration of the Original Term or any Renewal Term, the Manager may deliver written notice to the Company informing it of the Manager’s intention not to renew the term, whereupon the term of this Agreement shall not be renewed and extended, and this Agreement shall terminate effective on the expiration date of this Agreement next following the delivery of such notice.

(c) Termination for Cause .

(i) Termination by the Company . The Company may terminate this Agreement upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the Manager if (A) there is a commencement of any proceeding relating to the Manager’s bankruptcy or insolvency, including an order for relief in an involuntary bankruptcy case or the Manager authorizing or filing a voluntary bankruptcy petition, and such proceeding or order shall remain in force or unstayed for a period of 30 days, (B) the Manager dissolves as an entity, or (C) the Manager commits fraud against the Company, misappropriates or embezzles funds of the Company, or acts in a manner constituting bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of its duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that if any of the actions or omissions described in this clause (C) are caused by an employee and/or officer of the Manager or one of its affiliates and the Manager takes appropriate action against such person and cures the damage caused by such actions or omissions within 30 days of the Manager’s actual knowledge of its commission or omission, the Company shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this clause (iii).

 

16


(ii) Termination by the Manager . The Manager may terminate this Agreement upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Company in the event that the Company shall default in the performance or observance of any material term, condition or covenant contained in this Agreement and such default shall continue for a period of 30 days after written notice thereof specifying such default and requesting that the same be remedied in such 30-day period. The Manager may also terminate this Agreement in its sole discretion effective immediately concurrently with or within 90 days following a Change in Control or a non-cause termination of the Property Management Agreement, in each case upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the Company.

SECTION 13. TERMINATION FEE.

In the event that this Agreement is terminated (a) by the Company pursuant to Section 12(b)(i) or (b) by the Manager pursuant to Section 12(c)(ii), the Company shall pay to the Manager, on the Effective Termination Date or as promptly thereafter as practicable, a termination fee (the “ Termination Fee ”) equal to 1.75 times the sum of (x) the Management Fee for the 12 full calendar months preceding the Effective Termination Date, plus (y) all fees due to the Manager or its Affiliates under the Property Management Agreement for the 12 full calendar months preceding the Effective Termination Date.

SECTION 14. PROMOTE.

Upon the earlier of (a) a termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 12(b)(i), (b) a termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 12(c)(ii), and (c) the date that is 42 full calendar months after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall pay to the Manager, on the date of the relevant termination or other event or as promptly thereafter as practicable, a cash promote payment (the “ Promote ”) if the Company TSR Percentage exceeds 10% during the Measurement Period. The Promote shall be calculated, without duplication, as follows:

(i) to the extent that the Company TSR Percentage exceeds 10% during the Measurement Period, the Promote shall equal the product of:

(x) the weighted-average number of Common Shares outstanding during the Measurement Period (calculated on a fully-diluted basis in accordance with GAAP), multiplied by

(y) the product of (A) 10%, multiplied by (B) the difference of (I) the Company TSR Amount not to exceed a Hurdle TSR Amount implied by a Company TSR Percentage during the Measurement Period of 12.5%, less (II) a Hurdle TSR Amount implied by a Company TSR Percentage during the Measurement Period of 10%;

(ii) to the extent that the Company TSR Percentage exceeds 12.5% during the Measurement Period, the Promote shall equal the sum of:

(x) the amount under (i) above, plus

(y) the product of:

(A) the weighted-average number of Common Shares outstanding during the Measurement Period (calculated on a fully-diluted basis in accordance with GAAP), multiplied by

 

17


(B) the product of (I) 15%, multiplied by (II) the difference of (1) the Company TSR Amount not to exceed a Hurdle TSR Amount implied by a Company TSR Percentage during the Measurement Period of 15%, less (2) a Hurdle TSR Amount implied by a Company TSR Percentage during the Measurement Period of 12.5%; and

(iii) to the extent that the Company TSR Percentage exceeds 15% during the Measurement Period, the Promote shall equal the sum of:

(x) the amount under (ii) above, plus

(y) the product of:

(A) the weighted-average number of Common Shares outstanding during the Measurement Period (calculated on a fully-diluted basis in accordance with GAAP), multiplied by

(B) the product of (I) 20%, multiplied by (II) the difference of (1) the Company TSR Amount, less (2) a Hurdle TSR Amount implied by a Company TSR Percentage during the Measurement Period of 15%.

For avoidance of doubt, the Promote (including the related definitions of the Company TSR Amount, the Company TSR Percentage and the Hurdle TSR Amount) shall be calculated consistent with the illustrative Promote calculation methodology set forth on Exhibit A hereto.

SECTION 15. ASSIGNMENT.

(a) Except as set forth in Section 15(b), this Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, in whole or in part, by the Manager, unless such assignment is consented to in writing by the Company with the consent of a majority of the Independent Trustees; provided, however, that no such consent shall be required in the case of an assignment by the Manager to an entity whose business and operations are managed or supervised by Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. Any such permitted assignment shall bind the assignee under this Agreement in the same manner as the Manager is bound. The Manager shall continue to be liable to the Company for all errors or omissions of any assignee that is managed or supervised by Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. The Manager shall not be liable for errors or omissions of any other successor manager arising from and after any such assignment. In the case of any assignment, the assignee shall execute and deliver to the Company a counterpart of this Agreement naming such assignee as Manager. This Agreement shall not be assigned by the Company without the prior written consent of the Manager, except in the case of assignment by the Company to another REIT or other organization that is a successor (by merger, consolidation or purchase of assets) to the Company, in which case such successor organization shall be bound under this Agreement and by the terms of such assignment in the same manner as the Company is bound under this Agreement.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, the Manager may subcontract and assign any or all of its responsibilities under Section 2 to any of its Affiliates in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and the Company hereby consents to any such assignment and subcontracting. In addition, provided that the Manager provides prior written notice to the Company for informational purposes only, nothing contained in this Agreement shall preclude any pledge, hypothecation or other transfer of any amounts payable to the Manager under this Agreement.

 

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SECTION 16. ACTION UPON TERMINATION.

(a) From and after the Effective Termination Date pursuant to Section 12, the Manager shall not be entitled to compensation for further services under this Agreement, but shall be paid all compensation accruing to the date of termination, including, without limitation, any Termination Fee or/and Promote Fee due in connection with such termination. On the Effective Termination Date or as promptly thereafter as practicable, the Manager shall forthwith:

(i) after deducting any accrued compensation and reimbursement for its expenses to which it is then entitled, pay over to the Company or a Subsidiary all money collected and held for the account of the Company or a Subsidiary pursuant to this Agreement;

(ii) deliver to the Board of Trustees a full accounting, including a statement showing all payments collected by it and a statement of all money held by it, covering the period following the date of the last accounting furnished to the Board of Trustees with respect to the Company or a Subsidiary; and

(iii) deliver to the Board of Trustees all property and documents of the Company or any Subsidiary then in the custody of the Manager; provided, however, that the Manager may retain copies of all such information.

(b) Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 12, on the Effective Termination Date or as promptly thereafter as practicable, the Company shall forthwith:

(i) pay over to the Manager all compensation accruing to the date of termination, including, without limitation, any Termination Fee or/and Promote Fee due in connection with such termination; and

(ii) reimbursement the Manager for all its expenses to which it is then entitled.

(c) The obligation of the Company to pay the Termination Fee and the Promote Fee shall survive the termination of this Agreement. In addition, Section 9 and Section 10 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 17. RELEASE OF MONEY OR OTHER PROPERTY UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.

The Manager agrees that any money or other property of the Company or a Subsidiary thereof held by the Manager under this Agreement shall be held by the Manager as custodian for the Company or such Subsidiary, and the Manager’s records shall be appropriately marked clearly to reflect the ownership of such money or other property by the Company or such Subsidiary. Upon the receipt by the Manager of a written request signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company requesting the Manager to release to the Company or any Subsidiary any money or other property then held by the Manager for the account of the Company or any Subsidiary under this Agreement, the Manager shall release such money or other property to the Company or any Subsidiary within a reasonable period of time, but in no event later than 30 days following such request. The Manager shall not be liable to the Company, any Subsidiary, the Independent Trustees, or the Company’s or a Subsidiary’s shareholders or partners for any acts performed, or omissions to act, by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the money or other property released to the Company or any Subsidiary in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 17.

 

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SECTION 18. NOTICES.

Unless expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement, all notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given, made and received when delivered against receipt or upon actual receipt of (i) personal delivery, (ii) delivery by reputable overnight courier, (iii) delivery by facsimile transmission or email against answerback, (iv) delivery by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed as set forth below:

 

  (a) If to the Company:

Spirit MTA REIT

c/o Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.

2727 North Harwood Street

Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: General Counsel

 

  (b) If to the Manager:

Spirit Realty, L.P.

2727 North Harwood Street

Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: General Counsel

Either party may alter the address to which communications or copies are to be sent by giving notice of such change of address in conformity with the provisions of this Section 18 for the giving of notice.

SECTION 19. BINDING NATURE OF AGREEMENT; SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns as provided in this Agreement.

SECTION 20. ENTIRE AGREEMENT.

This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, inducements and conditions, express or implied, oral or written, of any nature whatsoever with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. The express terms of this Agreement control and supersede any course of performance and/or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified or amended other than by an agreement in writing executed by both parties.

SECTION 21. ARBITRATION.

(a) Any disputes, claims or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the provision of services by the Manager pursuant to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, including any disputes, claims or controversies brought by or on behalf of the Company or the Manager or any holder of equity interests (which, for purposes of this Section 21, shall mean any holder of record

 

20


or any beneficial owner of equity interests or any former holder of record or beneficial owner of equity interests) of the Company or the Manager, either on his, her or its own behalf, on behalf of the Company or the Manager or on behalf of any series or class of equity interests of the Company or Manager or holders of any equity interests of the Company or the Manager against the Company or the Manager or any of their respective trustees, directors, members, officers, managers (including the Manager or its successor), agents or employees, including any disputes, claims or controversies relating to the meaning, interpretation, effect, validity, performance or enforcement of this Agreement, including this arbitration agreement or the governing documents of the Company or the Manager (all of which are referred to as “ Disputes ”), or relating in any way to such a Dispute or Disputes shall, on the demand of any party to such Dispute or Disputes, be resolved through binding and final arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules (the “ Rules ”) of the American Arbitration Association (“ AAA ”) then in effect, except as those Rules may be modified in this Section 21. For the avoidance of doubt, and not as a limitation, Disputes are intended to include derivative actions against the trustees, directors, officers or managers of the Company or the Manager and class actions by a holder of equity interests against those individuals or entities and the Company or the Manager. For the avoidance of doubt, a Dispute shall include a Dispute made derivatively on behalf of one party against another party. For purposes of this Section 21, the term “equity interest” shall mean, (i) in respect of the Company, shares of beneficial interest of the Company, and (ii) in respect of the Manager, “membership interest” in the Manager as defined in the Delaware Limited Partnership Act.

(b) There shall be three (3) arbitrators. If there are only two (2) parties to the Dispute, each party shall select one (1) arbitrator within fifteen (15) days after receipt by respondent of a copy of the demand for arbitration. The arbitrators may be affiliated or interested persons of the parties. If there are more than two (2) parties to the Dispute, all claimants, on the one hand, and all respondents, on the other hand, shall each select, by the vote of a majority of the claimants or the respondents, as the case may be, one (1) arbitrator within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the demand for arbitration. The arbitrators may be affiliated or interested persons of the claimants or the respondents, as the case may be. If either a claimant (or all claimants) or a respondent (or all respondents) fail(s) to timely select an arbitrator then the party (or parties) who has selected an arbitrator may request AAA to provide a list of three (3) proposed arbitrators in accordance with the Rules (each of whom shall be neutral, impartial and unaffiliated with any party) and the party (or parties) that failed to timely appoint an arbitrator shall have ten (10) days from the date AAA provides the list to select one (1) of the three (3) arbitrators proposed by AAA. If the party (or parties) fail(s) to select the second (2nd) arbitrator by that time, the party (or parties) who have appointed the first (1st) arbitrator shall then have ten (10) days to select one (1) of the three (3) arbitrators proposed by AAA to be the second (2nd) arbitrator; and, if he/they should fail to select the second (2nd) arbitrator by such time, AAA shall select, within fifteen (15) days thereafter, one (1) of the three (3) arbitrators it had proposed as the second (2nd) arbitrator. The two (2) arbitrators so appointed shall jointly appoint the third (3rd) and presiding arbitrator (who shall be neutral, impartial and unaffiliated with any party) within fifteen (15) days of the appointment of the second (2nd) arbitrator. If the third (3rd) arbitrator has not been appointed within the time limit specified herein, then AAA shall provide a list of proposed arbitrators in accordance with the Rules, and the arbitrator shall be appointed by AAA in accordance with a listing, striking and ranking procedure, with each party having a limited number of strikes, excluding strikes for cause.

(c) The place of arbitration shall be Dallas, Texas, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

(d) There shall be only limited documentary discovery of documents directly related to the issues in dispute, as may be ordered by the arbitrators. For the avoidance of doubt, it is intended that there shall be no depositions and no other discovery other than limited documentary discovery as described in the preceding sentence.

 

21


(e) In rendering an award or decision (the “ Award ”), the arbitrators shall be required to follow the laws of the State of Maryland. Any arbitration proceedings or award rendered hereunder and the validity, effect and interpretation of this arbitration agreement shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §1 et seq. The Award shall be in writing and shall state the findings of fact and conclusions of law on which it is based. Any monetary award shall be made and payable in U.S. dollars free of any tax, deduction or offset. Subject to Section 21(g), each party against which the Award assesses a monetary obligation shall pay that obligation on or before the thirtieth (30th) day following the date of the Award or such other date as the Award may provide.

(f) Except to the extent expressly provided by this Agreement or as otherwise agreed by the parties thereto, each party involved in a Dispute shall bear its own costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), and the arbitrators shall not render an award that would include shifting of any such costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees) or, in a derivative case or class action, award any portion of the Company’s or the Manager’s, as applicable, award to the claimant or the claimant’s attorneys. Each party (or, if there are more than two (2) parties to the Dispute, all claimants, on the one hand, and all respondents, on the other hand, respectively) shall bear the costs and expenses of its (or their) selected arbitrator and the parties (or, if there are more than two (2) parties to the Dispute, all claimants, on the one hand, and all respondents, on the other hand) shall equally bear the costs and expenses of the third (3rd) appointed arbitrator.

(g) Notwithstanding any language to the contrary in this Agreement, the Award, including but not limited to, any interim Award, may be appealed pursuant to the AAA’s Optional Appellate Arbitration Rules (“ Appellate Rules ”). The Award shall not be considered final until after the time for filing the notice of appeal pursuant to the Appellate Rules has expired. Appeals must be initiated within thirty (30) days of receipt of the Award by filing a notice of appeal with any AAA office. Following the appeal process, the decision rendered by the appeal tribunal may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, and despite any contrary provision of the Appellate Rules, this Section 21(f) shall apply to any appeal pursuant to this Section and the appeal tribunal shall not render an award that would include shifting of any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees) of any party.

(h) Following the expiration of the time for filing the notice of appeal, or the conclusion of the appeal process set forth in Section 21(g), the Award shall be final and binding upon the parties thereto and shall be the sole and exclusive remedy between those parties relating to the Dispute, including any claims, counterclaims, issues or accounting presented to the arbitrators. Judgment upon the Award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no application or appeal to any court of competent jurisdiction may be made in connection with any question of law arising in the course of arbitration or with respect to any award made except for actions relating to enforcement of this agreement to arbitrate or any arbitral award issued hereunder and except for actions seeking interim or other provisional relief in aid of arbitration proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(i) This Section 21 is intended to benefit and be enforceable by the Company, the Manager and their respective holders of equity interests, trustees, directors, officers, managers (including the Manager or its successor), agents or employees, and their respective successors and assigns and shall be binding upon the Company, the Manager and their respective holders of equity interests, and be in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other rights to indemnification or contribution that such individuals or entities may have by contract or otherwise.

 

22


SECTION 22. NAME LICENSE.

The Manager hereby grants to the Company and its Affiliates a personal, royalty-free, non-exclusive, non-sublicensable, and non-transferable right and license during the License Term (as defined below) and Wind-Down Term (if any, and as defined below) to use, display and reproduce the name “Spirit” (“ Licensed Name ”) in connection with the operation of their respective businesses, including in the corporate names of Company and its Affiliates. The “ License Term ” shall mean the period commencing on the date of this Agreement and continuing until 90 days after the Effective Date of Termination of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the license grant herein is non-exclusive and accordingly the Manager and its Affiliates hereby retain the right to continue using the Licensed Name and to license or transfer any rights the Manager and its Affiliates may have in the Licensed Name to third parties, and Company and its Affiliates will not take any action to challenge the Manager and its Affiliates rights in the Licensed Name. Company and its Affiliates acknowledge that certain goodwill and reputation may be associated with the Licensed Name and agree to use the Licensed Name only in a manner that maintains and promotes such goodwill and reputation, and any use in contravention of the foregoing shall be deemed a material breach of this Agreement. Company and its Affiliates shall cooperate with Manager and its Affiliates in facilitating the Manager’s control of the nature and quality of the products, services and other uses of the Licensed Name, including providing Manager, upon Manager’s written request, with samples of any public facing materials produced by or on behalf of the Company and its Affiliates that bear the Licensed Name. Upon the expiration of the License Term, (i) the license grant set forth in this Section 22 will terminate, (ii) Company and its Affiliates will cease all use of the Licensed Name and destroy, or at Manager’s election transfer to Manager, all public facing materials in the Company and its Affiliates’ possession or control containing the Licensed Names, and (iii) Company and its Affiliates will immediately change their corporate names to no longer contain the word “Spirit” or any derivation thereof.

SECTION 23. CONTROLLING LAW.

This Agreement and all questions relating to its validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement shall be governed by and construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, notwithstanding any New York or other conflict-of-law provisions to the contrary.

SECTION 24. INDULGENCES, NOT WAIVERS.

Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of a party to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver.

SECTION 25. TITLES NOT TO AFFECT INTERPRETATION.

The titles of paragraphs and subparagraphs contained in this Agreement are for convenience only, and they neither form a part of this Agreement nor are they to be used in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

23


SECTION 26. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS.

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts of this Agreement, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories.

SECTION 27. PROVISIONS SEPARABLE.

The provisions of this Agreement are independent of and separable from each other, and no provision shall be affected or rendered invalid or unenforceable by virtue of the fact that for any reason any other or others of them may be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part.

[ Remainder of this page intentionally left blank ]

 

24


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

 

COMPANY:

Spirit MTA REIT

By:

 

/s/ Ricardo Rodriguez

 

Name: Ricardo Rodriguez

  Title: Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

MANAGER:

Spirit Realty, L.P.,

a Delaware limited partnership

By: Spirit General OP Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its General Partner

By:

 

/s/ Ken Heimlich

 

Name: Ken Heimlich

 

Title: Executive Vice President

[ Signature page to Asset M anagement Agreement ]


EXHIBIT A

Illustrative Total Shareholder Return Calculation Methodology

[See attached.]


Spirit Promote Calculation

 

Assumptions    Annual     Quarterly  

Illustrative Initial Share Price

   $ 10.00          

Illustrative Dividend Per Share (1)

   $ 0.50     $ 0.13  

Implied Illustrative Initial Yield

     5.0        

Illustrative Share Price CAGR

     12.5     3.0

    

 

Structural Notes

Promote paid in month 36 on weighted average shares over that timeframe
Initial measurement based on first 30 days SMTA trading VWAP
SRC promote calculated on a per share basis, that per share figure is multiplied by the wtd. avg. shares outstanding over the entire period
The measurement period to determine the exit share price is the 30 VWAP ending the day before the termination of the contract, the end of 36 months, or the cash/stock mix that SMTA shareholders receive in a change of control transaction
 

 

Total Shareholder Return Illustration (Assuming Dividend Reinvestment)

 

     Q218     Q318     Q418     Q119     Q219     Q319     Q419     Q120     Q220     Q320     Q420     Q121     Q221  

Share Price

  $ 10.00     $ 10.30     $ 10.61     $ 10.92     $ 11.25     $ 11.59     $ 11.93     $ 12.29     $ 12.66     $ 13.03     $ 13.42     $ 13.83     $ 14.24  

Dividends / Share - Reinvested

          $ 0.13     $ 0.13     $ 0.13     $ 0.13     $ 0.13     $ 0.13     $ 0.13     $ 0.13     $ 0.13     $ 0.13     $ 0.13     $ 0.13  

Shares Purchased

    1.000       0.012       0.012       0.011       0.011       0.011       0.010       0.010       0.010       0.010       0.009       0.009       0.009  

Adjusted Shares

    1.000       1.012       1.024       1.035       1.046       1.057       1.068       1.078       1.088       1.097       1.107       1.116       1.125  

Cash Flow

  ($ 10.000                                                                                           $ 16.01  

Total Shareholder Return

    17.0                        

 

Per Share Promote to SRC - 36 Months                Hurdle      In the
Money
     SRC Value  
     Threshold     Promote     Low      High        

Amount Eligible For Hurdle One

     10.0     10.0   $ 13.310      $ 14.238      $ 0.928      $ 0.093  

Amount Eligible For Hurdle Two

     12.5     15.0   $ 14.238      $ 15.209      $ 0.970      $ 0.146  

Amount Eligible For Hurdle Three

     15.0     20.0   $ 15.209        NA      $ 0.802      $ 0.160  

Per Share Value to SRC

                                     $ 2.701      $ 0.399  

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Calculation

 

     Q218   Q318   Q418   Q119   Q219   Q319   Q419   Q120   Q220   Q320   Q420   Q121   Q221

1) No Share Issuance

Shares Outstanding

  90   90   90   90   90   90   90   90   90   90   90   90   90

Wtd. Avg. Shares Outstanding

  90                        
       

p      

Issuance / Buyback      

           

2) Share Buyback

Shares Outstanding

  90   90   90   90   80   80   80   80   80   80   80   80   80

Wtd. Avg. Shares Outstanding

  83                        
       

p      

Issuance / Buyback      

           

3) Share Issuance

Shares Outstanding

  90   90   90   90   100   100   100   100   100   100   100   100   100

Wtd. Avg. Shares Outstanding

  97                        
       

p      

Issuance / Buyback      

           
                                                    

Sensitivity to Illustrative Share Price CAGR

 

                             

Illustrative Share Price CAGR

                  0.0%   2.5%   5.0%   7.5%   10.0%   12.5%   15.0%  

SRC Promote Per Share

                  $0.000   $0.000   $0.000   $0.077   $0.211   $0.399   $0.605  

Gross Promote Assuming ($MM)

                             

1) No Share Issuance

                  —     —     —     7   19   36   54  

2) Share Buyback

                  —     —     —     6   17   33   50  

3) Share Issuance

                  —     —     —     7   20   39   58  

Note

1. Assumes no change in dividend

Exhibits 10.2

 

 

TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

by and between

SPIRIT REALTY CAPITAL, INC.

and

SPIRIT MTA REIT

dated as of

May 31, 2018

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
Section 1. Definition of Terms      1
Section 2. Allocation of Tax Liabilities      6

Section 2.1

  General Rule      6

Section 2.2

  General Allocation Principles      7

Section 2.3

  Allocation Conventions      7

Section 2.4

  Transfer Taxes      8
Section 3. Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns      8

Section 3.1

  SRC Separate Returns and Joint Returns      8

Section 3.2

  SMTA Separate Returns      8

Section 3.3

  Tax Reporting Practices      8

Section 3.4

  SMTA Carrybacks and Claims for Refund      9

Section 3.5

  Apportionment of Tax Attributes      9
Section 4. Tax Payments      10

Section 4.1

  Taxes Shown on Tax Returns      10

Section 4.2

  Adjustments Resulting in Underpayments      10

Section 4.3

  Indemnification Payments.      10
Section 5. Tax Benefits      11

Section 5.1

  Tax Refunds      11

Section 5.2

  Other Tax Benefits      11
Section 6. REIT Qualification      12

Section 6.1

  SRC      12

Section 6.2

  SMTA      12
Section 7. Assistance and Cooperation      12

Section 7.1

  Assistance and Cooperation      12

Section 7.2

  Tax Return Information      13

Section 7.3

  Reliance by SRC      13

Section 7.4

  Reliance by SMTA      13
Section 8. Tax Records      13

Section 8.1

  Retention of Tax Records      13

Section 8.2

  Access to Tax Records      14

Section 8.3

  Preservation of Privilege      14
Section 9. Tax Contests      14

Section 9.1

  Notice      14

Section 9.2

  Control of Tax Contests      15
Section 10. Survival of Obligations      17
Section 11. Tax Treatment of Payments      17

Section 11.1

  General Rule      17

 

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Section 11.2

   Interest      17
Section 12. Indemnification Payment Escrow      17
Section 13. Dispute Resolution      18
Section 14. General Provisions      18

Section 14.1

   Amendments and Waivers      18

Section 14.2

   Entire Agreement      19

Section 14.3

   Survival of Agreements      19

Section 14.4

   Third Party Beneficiaries      19

Section 14.5

   Notices      19

Section 14.6

   Counterparts; Electronic Delivery      20

Section 14.7

   Severability      20

Section 14.8

   Assignability; Binding Effect      20

Section 14.9

   Governing Law      20

Section 14.10

   Construction      21

Section 14.11

   Performance      21

Section 14.12

   Title and Headings      21

Section 14.13

   Other Agreements      21

Section 14.14

   Payment Terms      21

Section 14.15

   No Admission of Liability      22

 

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TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

This TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of May 31, 2018, by and between Spirit Realty Capital, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“ SRC ”), and Spirit MTA REIT, a Maryland real estate investment trust and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of SRC (“ SMTA ”). SRC and SMTA are sometimes referred to herein individually as a “ Party ,” and collectively as the “ Parties .” Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in Section  1 of this Agreement.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, SRC and SMTA have entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2018 (the “ Separation Agreement ”) pursuant to which the Transactions will be consummated; and

WHEREAS, SRC and SMTA desire to set forth their agreement on the rights and obligations of SRC and SMTA and the members of the SRC Group and the SMTA Group, respectively, with respect to (A) the administration and allocation of federal, state, local, and foreign Taxes incurred in Tax Periods beginning prior to the Distribution Date, (B) Taxes resulting from the Distribution and transactions effected in connection with the Distribution and (C) various other Tax matters.

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

Section 1. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Agreement (including the recitals hereof), the following terms have the following meanings:

Adjustment Request ” means any formal or informal claim or request filed with any Tax Authority, or with any administrative agency or court, for the adjustment, refund, or credit of Taxes, including (i) any amended Tax Return claiming adjustment to the Taxes as reported on the Tax Return or, if applicable, as previously adjusted, (ii) any claim for equitable recoupment or other offset, and (iii) any claim for refund or credit of Taxes previously paid.

Affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Agreement ” means this Tax Matters Agreement.

Agreement Dispute ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Allowed Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section  12 of this Agreement.

Ancillary Agreements ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement; provided , however , that for purposes of this Agreement, this Agreement shall not constitute an Ancillary Agreement.

 

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Business Day ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Code ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Controlling Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section  9.2(c) of this Agreement.

Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Distribution Date ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Effective Time ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Escrowed Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section  12 of this Agreement.

Final Allocation ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.5(b) of this Agreement.

Final Determination ” means the final resolution of liability for any Tax, which resolution may be for a specific issue or adjustment or for any Tax Period, (i) by IRS Form 870 or 870-AD (or any successor forms thereto), on the date of acceptance by or on behalf of the taxpayer, or by a comparable form under the laws of a state, local, or foreign taxing jurisdiction, except that a Form 870 or 870-AD or comparable form shall not constitute a Final Determination to the extent that it reserves (whether by its terms or by operation of law) the right of the taxpayer to file a claim for refund or the right of the Tax Authority to assert a further deficiency in respect of such issue or adjustment or for such Tax Period (as the case may be); (ii) by a decision, judgment, decree, or other order by a court of competent jurisdiction, which has become final and unappealable; (iii) by a closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Sections 7121 or 7122 of the Code, or a comparable agreement under the laws of a state, local, or foreign taxing jurisdiction; (iv) by any allowance of a refund or credit in respect of an overpayment of a Tax, but only after the expiration of all periods during which such refund may be recovered (including by way of offset) by the jurisdiction imposing such Tax; (v) by a final settlement resulting from a treaty-based competent authority determination; or (vi) by any other final disposition, including by reason of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, the execution of a pre-filing agreement with the IRS or other Tax Authority, or by mutual agreement of the Parties.

Financing JV ” means SMTA Financing JV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Governmental Authority ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Group ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Income Tax ” means all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income, franchise or similar Taxes imposed on (or measured by) net income or net profits.

Indemnification Payee ” has the meaning set forth in Section  12 of this Agreement.

Indemnification Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section  12 of this Agreement.

 

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Indemnification Payor ” has the meaning set forth in Section  12 of this Agreement.

Intended Tax Treatment ” means the treatment of (i) the transaction steps set forth on Exhibit A hereto as specified therein and (ii) the Distribution as a taxable distribution under Section 301 of the Code.

IRS ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Joint Return ” means any Tax Return that includes, by election or otherwise, one or more members of the SRC Group together with one or more members of the SMTA Group.

Law ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Loss ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.2 of this Agreement.

Non-Controlling Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section  9.2(c) of this Agreement.

Parties ” and “ Party ” have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Past Practices ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.3(a) of this Agreement.

Payment Date ” means, with respect to a Tax Return, (A) the due date for any required installment of estimated Taxes, (B) the due date (determined without regard to extensions) for filing such Tax Return, or (C) the date such Tax Return is filed, as the case may be.

Payor ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.3(a) of this Agreement.

Person ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Positive Tax Opinion or Ruling ” has the meaning set forth in Section  12 of this Agreement.

Post-Distribution Period ” means any Tax Period beginning after the Distribution Date and, in the case of any Straddle Period, the portion of such Tax Period beginning on the day after the Distribution Date.

Pre-Distribution Period ” means any Tax Period ending on or before the Distribution Date and, in the case of any Straddle Period, the portion of such Straddle Period ending on and including the Distribution Date.

Prime Rate ” means the “prime rate” as published in The Wall Street Journal , Eastern Edition.

Prior Group ” means any group that filed or was required to file (or will file or be required to file) a Tax Return, for a Tax Period or portion thereof ending at the close of the Distribution Date, on an affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary, fiscal unity or other group basis (including as permitted by Section 1501 of the Code) that includes at least one member of the SMTA Group.

 

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Privilege ” means any privilege that may be asserted under applicable law, including, any privilege arising under or relating to the attorney-client relationship (including the attorney-client and work product privileges), the accountant-client privilege and any privilege relating to internal evaluation processes.

Proposed Allocation ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  3.5(b) of this Agreement.

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

Qualifying Income ” has the meaning set forth in Section  12 of this Agreement.

REIT ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Required Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.3(a) of this Agreement.

Responsible Party ” means, with respect to any Tax Return, the Party having responsibility for preparing and filing such Tax Return under this Agreement.

Retention Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.1 of this Agreement.

Ruling ” means a private letter ruling from the IRS regarding the Tax treatment of all or any part of the Transactions.

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

SMTA ” has the meaning provided in the preamble to this Agreement.

SMTA Carryback ” means any net operating loss, net capital loss, excess Tax credit, or other similar Tax item of any member of the SMTA Group which may or must be carried from one Tax Period to another prior Tax Period under the Code or other applicable Tax Law.

SMTA GP ” means Spirit MTA OP Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

SMTA Group ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

SMTA OP ” means Spirit MTA REIT, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

SMTA Separate Return ” means any Tax Return of or including any member of the SMTA Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return) that does not include any member of the SRC Group.

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

 

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SRC Group ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

SRC Separate Return ” means any Tax Return of or including any member of the SRC Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return) that does not include any member of the SMTA Group.

SRLP ” means Spirit Realty, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

Straddle Period ” means any Tax Period that begins before and ends after the Distribution Date.

SubREIT ” means Spirit MTA SubREIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation.

Subsidiary ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any income, gross income, gross receipts, profits, capital stock, franchise, withholding, payroll, social security, workers compensation, unemployment, disability, property, ad valorem, value added, stamp, excise, severance, occupation, service, sales, use, license, lease, transfer, import, export, escheat, alternative minimum, universal service fund, estimated or other tax (including any fee, assessment, or other charge in the nature of or in lieu of any tax), imposed by any Governmental Authority or political subdivision thereof, and any interest, penalty, additions to tax or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

Tax Advisor ” means a Tax counsel or accountant, in each case of recognized national standing.

Tax Attribute ” means a net operating loss, net capital loss, unused investment credit, unused foreign Tax credit (including credits of a foreign company under Section 902 of the Code), excess charitable contribution, general business credit, research and development credit, earnings and profits, basis, or any other Tax Item that could reduce a Tax or create a Tax Benefit.

Tax Authority ” means, with respect to any Tax, the Governmental Authority or political subdivision thereof that imposes such Tax, and the agency (if any) charged with the collection of such Tax for such entity or subdivision.

Tax Benefit ” means any refund, credit, or other item that causes reduction in otherwise required liability for Taxes.

Tax Contest ” means an audit, review, examination, contest, litigation, investigation or any other administrative or judicial proceeding with the purpose or effect of redetermining Taxes (including any administrative or judicial review of any claim for refund).

Tax Item ” means, with respect to any Income Tax, any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit.

Tax Law ” means the Law of any Governmental Authority or political subdivision thereof relating to any Tax.

 

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Tax Opinion ” means an opinion from a Tax Advisor regarding the qualification of SRC, SMTA or SubREIT as a REIT or regarding the Tax treatment of all or any part of the Transactions.

Tax Period ” means, with respect to any Tax, the period for which the Tax is reported as provided under the Code or other applicable Tax Law.

Tax Records ” means any (i) Tax Returns, (ii) Tax Return workpapers, (iii) documentation relating to any Tax Contests, and (iv) any other books of account or records (whether or not in written, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms and whether or not stored on electronic or any other medium) maintained or required to be maintained under the Code or other applicable Tax Laws or under any record retention agreement with any Tax Authority, in each case filed or required to be filed with respect to or otherwise relating to Taxes.

Tax Return ” means any report of Taxes due, any claim for refund of Taxes paid, any information return with respect to Taxes, or any other similar report, statement, declaration, or document filed or required to be filed under the Code or other Tax Law with respect to Taxes, including any attachments, exhibits, or other materials submitted with any of the foregoing, and including any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing.

Transactions ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Transfer Taxes ” means all sales, use, transfer, real property transfer, intangible, recordation, registration, documentary, stamp or similar Taxes imposed in connection with the Transactions (excluding in each case, for the avoidance of doubt, any Income Taxes).

Treasury Regulations ” means the regulations promulgated from time to time under the Code as in effect for the relevant Tax Period.

Section 2. Allocation of Tax Liabilities.

Section 2.1 General Rule .

(a) SRC Liability . Except with respect to Taxes described in Section  2.1(b) of this Agreement, SRC shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the SMTA Group from and against any liability for:

(i) Taxes that are allocated to SRC under this Section  2 ;

(ii) any Tax resulting from a breach of any of SRC’s representations or covenants in this Agreement, the Separation Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; and

(iii) Taxes imposed on SMTA or any member of the SMTA Group pursuant to the provisions of Treasury Regulations § 1.1502-6 (or similar provisions of state, local, or foreign Tax Law) as a result of any such member being or having been a member of a Prior Group.

 

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(b) SMTA Liability . SMTA shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the SRC Group from and against any liability for:

(i) Taxes that are allocated to SMTA under this Section  2 ; and

(ii) any Tax resulting from a breach of any of SMTA’s representations or covenants in this Agreement, the Separation Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

Section 2.2 General Allocation Principles . Except as otherwise provided in this Section  2 , all Taxes shall be allocated as follows:

(a) Allocation of Taxes for Joint Returns . SRC shall be responsible for all Taxes reported, or required to be reported, on any Joint Return that any member of the SRC Group files or is required to file under the Code or other applicable Tax Law; provided , however , that to the extent any such Joint Return includes any Tax Item attributable to the operations or assets of any member of the SMTA Group for any Post-Distribution Period, SMTA shall be responsible for all Taxes attributable to such Tax Items, computed in a manner reasonably determined by SRC.

(b) Allocation of Taxes for Separate Returns .

(i) SRC shall be responsible for all Taxes reported, or required to be reported, on (x) an SRC Separate Return or (y) an SMTA Separate Return with respect to a Pre-Distribution Period.

(ii) SMTA shall be responsible for all Taxes reported, or required to be reported, on an SMTA Separate Return with respect to a Post-Distribution Period.

(c) Taxes Not Reported on Tax Returns .

(i) SRC shall be responsible for any Tax attributable to any member of the SRC Group that is not required to be reported on a Tax Return.

(ii) SMTA shall be responsible for any Tax attributable to any member of the SMTA Group that is not required to be reported on a Tax Return.

Section 2.3 Allocation Conventions .

(a) All Taxes allocated pursuant to Section  2.2 of this Agreement shall be apportioned between portions of a Tax Period based on a closing of the books and records on the close of the Distribution Date (in the event that the Distribution Date is not the last day of the Tax Period, as if the Distribution Date were the last day of the Tax Period), subject to adjustment for items accrued on the Distribution Date that are properly allocable to the Tax Period following the Distribution, as jointly determined by SRC and SMTA; provided that any items not susceptible to such apportionment shall be apportioned on the basis of elapsed days during the relevant portion of the Tax Period.

 

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(b) Any Tax Item of SMTA or any member of the SMTA Group arising from a transaction engaged in outside of the ordinary course of business on the Distribution Date after the Effective Time shall be properly allocable to SMTA and any such transaction by or with respect to SMTA or any member of the SMTA Group occurring after the Effective Time shall be treated for all Tax purposes (to the extent permitted by applicable Tax Law) as occurring at the beginning of the day following the Distribution Date in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation § 1.1502-76(b) or any similar provisions of state, local or foreign Law.

Section 2.4 Transfer Taxes . Any Transfer Taxes shall be allocated solely to SRC.

Section 3. Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns .

Section 3.1 SRC Separate Returns and Joint Returns .

(a) SRC shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, all SRC Separate Returns and Joint Returns, and each member of the SMTA Group to which any such Joint Return relates shall execute and file such consents, elections and other documents as SRC may determine, after consulting with SMTA in good faith, are required or appropriate, or otherwise requested by SRC in connection with the filing of such Joint Return. SMTA will elect and join, and will cause its respective Affiliates to elect and join, in filing any Joint Returns that SRC determines are required to be filed or that SRC elects to file, in each case pursuant to this Section  3.1(a) .

(b) The Parties and their respective Affiliates shall elect to close the Tax Period of each SMTA Group member on the Distribution Date, to the extent permitted by applicable Tax Law.

Section 3.2 SMTA Separate Returns . SMTA shall prepare and file (or cause to be prepared and filed) all SMTA Separate Returns.

Section 3.3 Tax Reporting Practices .

(a) General Rule . Except as provided in Section  3.3(b) of this Agreement, SRC shall prepare any Straddle Period Joint Return in accordance with past practices, permissible accounting methods, elections or conventions (“ Past Practices ”) used by the members of the SRC Group and the members of the SMTA Group prior to the Distribution Date with respect to such Tax Return, and to the extent any items, methods or positions are not covered by Past Practices, then SRC shall prepare such Tax Return in accordance with reasonable Tax accounting practices selected by SRC. With respect to any Tax Return that SMTA has the obligation and right to prepare, or cause to be prepared, under this Section  3 , to the extent such Tax Return could affect SRC, such Tax Return shall be prepared in accordance with Past Practices used by the members of the SRC Group and the members of the SMTA Group prior to the Distribution Date with respect to such Tax Return, and to the extent any items, methods or positions are not covered by Past Practices, such Tax Return shall be prepared in accordance with reasonable Tax accounting practices selected by SMTA, subject to the consent of SRC (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

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(b) Consistency with Intended Tax Treatment . Except as otherwise agreed by the Parties, the Parties shall prepare all Tax Returns consistent with the Intended Tax Treatment unless, and then only to the extent, an alternative position is required pursuant to a determination by a Tax Authority; provided , however , that neither Party shall be required to litigate before any court any challenge to the Intended Tax Treatment by a Tax Authority.

Section 3.4 SMTA Carrybacks and Claims for Refund .

(a) SMTA hereby agrees that, unless SRC consents in writing (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) or as required by Law, (i) no member of the SMTA Group (nor its successors) shall file any Adjustment Request with respect to any Tax Return that could affect any Joint Return or any other Tax Return reflecting Taxes that are allocated to SRC under Section  2 and (ii) any available elections to waive the right to claim any SMTA Carryback in any Joint Return or any other Tax Return reflecting Taxes that are allocated to SRC under Section  2 shall be made, and no affirmative election shall be made to claim any such SMTA Carryback. In the event that SMTA (or the appropriate member of the SMTA Group) is prohibited by applicable Law from waiving or otherwise forgoing an SMTA Carryback or SRC consents to an SMTA Carryback (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), SRC shall cooperate with SMTA, at SMTA’s expense, in seeking from the appropriate Tax Authority such Tax Benefit as reasonably would result from such SMTA Carryback, to the extent that such Tax Benefit is directly attributable to such SMTA Carryback, and shall pay over to SMTA the amount of such Tax Benefit within ten (10) days after such Tax Benefit is recognized by the SRC Group; provided , however , that SMTA shall indemnify and hold the members of the SRC Group harmless from and against any and all collateral Tax consequences resulting from or caused by any such SMTA Carryback, including, without limitation, the loss or postponement of any benefit from the use of Tax Attributes generated by a member of the SRC Group if (i) such Tax Attributes expire unused, but would have been utilized but for such SMTA Carryback, or (ii) the use of such Tax Attributes is postponed to a later Tax Period than the Tax Period in which such Tax Attributes would have been used but for such SMTA Carryback.

(b) SRC hereby agrees that, unless SMTA consents in writing (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) or as required by Law, no member of the SRC Group shall file any Adjustment Request with respect to any SMTA Separate Return.

Section 3.5 Apportionment of Tax Attributes .

(a) Tax Attributes arising in a Pre-Distribution Period will be allocated to (and the benefits and burdens of such Tax Attributes will inure to) the members of the SRC Group and the members of the SMTA Group in accordance with the Code, Treasury Regulations, and any other applicable Tax Law, and, in the absence of controlling legal authority or unless otherwise provided under this Agreement, Tax Attributes shall be allocated to the taxpayer that created such Tax Attributes.

(b) On or before the first anniversary of the Distribution Date, SRC shall deliver to SMTA its determination in writing of the portion, if any, of any earnings and profits, Tax Attributes, overall foreign loss or other affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary, fiscal unity or

 

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other group basis Tax Attribute which is allocated or apportioned to the members of the SMTA Group under applicable Tax Law and this Agreement (“ Proposed Allocation ”). SMTA shall have sixty (60) days to review the Proposed Allocation and provide SRC any comments with respect thereto. SRC shall accept any such comments that are reasonable, and such resulting determination will become final (“ Final Allocation ”). All members of the SRC Group and SMTA Group shall prepare all Tax Returns in accordance the Final Allocation. In the event of an adjustment to the earnings and profits, any Tax Attributes or other affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary, fiscal unity or other group basis attribute, SRC shall promptly notify SMTA in writing of such adjustment. For the avoidance of doubt, SRC shall not be liable to any member of the SMTA Group for any failure of any determination under this Section  3.5(b) to be accurate under applicable Tax Law; provided such determination was made in good faith.

(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, to the extent that the amount of any Tax Attribute is later reduced or increased by a Tax Authority or Tax Proceeding, such reduction or increase shall be allocated to the Party to which such Tax Attribute was allocated pursuant to Section  3.5(a) of this Agreement, as agreed by the Parties.

Section 4. Tax Payments .

Section 4.1 Taxes Shown on Tax Returns . SRC shall pay (or cause to be paid) to the proper Tax Authority the Tax shown as due on any Tax Return that a member of the SRC Group is responsible for preparing under Section  3 of this Agreement, and SMTA shall pay (or cause to be paid) to the proper Tax Authority the Tax shown as due on any Tax Return that a member of the SMTA Group is responsible for preparing under Section  3 of this Agreement. At least seven (7) Business Days prior to any Payment Date for any Straddle Period Joint Return, SMTA shall pay to SRC the amount SMTA is responsible for under the provisions of Section  2 as calculated pursuant to this Agreement.

Section 4.2 Adjustments Resulting in Underpayments . In the case of any adjustment pursuant to a Final Determination with respect to any Tax, the Party to which such Tax is allocated pursuant to this Agreement shall pay to the applicable Tax Authority when due any additional Tax required to be paid as a result of such adjustment.

Section 4.3 Indemnification Payments.

(a) Except as provided in the last sentence of Section  4.1 of this Agreement, if any Party (the “ Payor ”) is required under applicable Tax Law to pay to a Tax Authority a Tax that another Party (the “ Required Party ”) is liable for under this Agreement, the Required Party shall reimburse the Payor within twenty (20) Business Days of delivery by the Payor to the Required Party of an invoice for the amount due, accompanied by evidence of payment and a statement detailing the Taxes paid and describing in reasonable detail the particulars relating thereto. The reimbursement shall include interest on the Tax payment computed at the Prime Rate based on the number of days from the date of the Payor’s payment to the Tax Authority to the date of reimbursement by the Required Party under this Section  4.3 . Except as otherwise provided in the following sentence, the Required Party shall also pay to the Payor any reasonable costs and expenses related to the foregoing (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) within five (5) days after the Payor’s written demand therefor.

 

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(b) All indemnification payments under this Agreement shall be made by SRC directly to SMTA and by SMTA directly to SRC; provided , however , that if the Parties mutually agree for administrative convenience with respect to any such indemnification payment, any member of the SRC Group, on the one hand, may make such indemnification payment to any member of the SMTA Group, on the other hand, and vice versa.

Section 5. Tax Benefits .

Section 5.1 Tax Refunds . SRC shall be entitled (subject to the limitations provided in Section  3.4 of this Agreement) to any refund (and any interest thereon received from the applicable Tax Authority) of Taxes for which SRC is liable hereunder, and SMTA shall be entitled (subject to the limitations provided in Section  3.4 of this Agreement) to any refund (and any interest thereon received from the applicable Tax Authority) of Taxes for which SMTA is liable hereunder. A Party receiving a refund to which another Party is entitled hereunder shall pay over such refund to such other Party within twenty (20) Business Days after such refund is received (together with interest computed at the Prime Rate based on the number of days from the date the refund was received to the date the refund was paid over).

Section 5.2 Other Tax Benefits .

(a) If (i) a member of the SMTA Group actually realizes any Tax Benefit as a result of any liability, obligation, loss or payment (each, a “ Loss ”) for which a member of the SRC Group is required to indemnify any member of the SMTA Group pursuant to this Agreement, the Separation Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (in each case, without duplication of any amounts payable or taken into account under this Agreement, the Separation Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement), or (ii) if a member of the SRC Group actually realizes any Tax Benefit as a result of any Loss for which a member of the SMTA Group is required to indemnify any member of the SRC Group pursuant to this Agreement, the Separation Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (in each case, without duplication of any amounts payable or taken into account under this Agreement, the Separation Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement), and, in each case, such Tax Benefit would not have arisen but for such adjustment or Loss (determined on a “with and without” basis), SMTA (in the case of the foregoing clause (i)) or SRC (in the case of the foregoing clause (ii)), as the case may be, shall make a payment to the other Party in an amount equal to the amount of such actually realized Tax Benefit in cash within ten (10) Business Days of actually realizing such Tax Benefit. To the extent that any Tax Benefit (or portion thereof) in respect of which any amounts were paid over pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section  5.2(a) is subsequently disallowed by the applicable Tax Authority, the Party that received such amounts shall promptly repay such amounts (together with any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Tax Authority) to the other Party.

(b) No later than ten (10) Business Days after a Tax Benefit described in Section  5.2(a) is actually realized by a member of the SRC Group or a member of the SMTA Group, SRC or SMTA, as the case may be, shall provide the other Party with a written calculation of the amount payable to such other Party pursuant to Section  5.2(a) . In the event that SRC or SMTA, as the case may be, disagrees with any such calculation described in this Section  5.2(b) , such Party shall so notify the other Party in writing within twenty (20) Business Days of receiving such written calculation. The Parties shall endeavor in good faith to resolve such disagreement, and, failing that, the amount payable under this Section  5.2 shall be determined in accordance with Section  13 of this Agreement.

 

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Section 6. REIT Qualification .

Section 6.1 SRC . SRC represents that, commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2014, through its taxable year ending December 31, 2017, SRC has been organized and has operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. SRC covenants that it will qualify as a REIT under the Code for its taxable year ending December 31, 2018.

Section 6.2 SMTA . SMTA covenants that it will elect to qualify as a REIT under the Code and will be organized and operate so that it will qualify as a REIT under the Code for its taxable year ending December 31, 2018.

Section 7. Assistance and Cooperation .

Section 7.1 Assistance and Cooperation .

(a) The Parties shall cooperate (and cause their respective Affiliates to cooperate) with each other and with each other’s agents, including accounting firms and legal counsel, in connection with Tax matters relating to the Parties and their Affiliates, including (i) preparation and filing of Tax Returns, (ii) determining the liability for and amount of any Taxes due (including estimated Taxes) or the right to and amount of any refund of Taxes, (iii) examinations of Tax Returns, and (iv) any administrative or judicial proceeding in respect of Taxes assessed or proposed to be assessed. Such cooperation shall include making all information and documents in their possession relating to any other Party and its Affiliates reasonably available to such other Party as provided in Section  8 of this Agreement. Each of the Parties shall also make available to any other Party, as reasonably requested and available, personnel (including officers, directors, employees and agents of the Parties or their respective Affiliates) responsible for preparing, maintaining, and interpreting information and documents relevant to Taxes, and personnel reasonably required as witnesses or for purposes of providing information or documents in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings relating to Taxes. SMTA and each other member of the SMTA Group, on the one hand, and SRC and member of the SRC Group, on the other hand, shall cooperate with each other and take any and all actions reasonably requested by the other in connection with obtaining a Tax Opinion or Ruling (including, without limitation, by making any new representation or covenant, confirming any previously made representation or covenant or providing any materials or information requested by any Tax Advisor; provided that no one shall be required to make or confirm any representation or covenant that is inconsistent with historical facts or as to future matters or events occurring after December 31, 2018 or over which it has no control).

(b) Any information or documents provided under this Agreement shall be kept confidential by the Party receiving the information or documents, except as may otherwise be necessary in connection with the filing of Tax Returns or in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings relating to Taxes. In addition, in the event that SRC determines that the provision of any information or documents to SMTA or any of its Affiliates, or SMTA

 

12


determines that the provision of any information or documents to SRC or any SRC Affiliate, could be commercially detrimental, violate any Law or agreement or waive any Privilege, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to permit each other’s compliance with its obligations under this Section  7 in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence.

Section 7.2 Tax Return Information . Each of SRC and SMTA, and each member of their respective Groups, acknowledges that time is of the essence in relation to any request for information, assistance or cooperation made pursuant to Section  7.1 of this Agreement or this Section  7.2 . Each of SRC and SMTA, and each member of their respective Groups, acknowledges that failure to conform to the reasonable deadlines set by the Party making such request could cause irreparable harm. Each Party shall provide to the other Party information and documents relating to its Group reasonably required by the other Party to prepare Tax Returns, including any pro forma returns required by the Responsible Party for purposes of preparing such Tax Returns. Any information or documents the Responsible Party requires to prepare such Tax Returns shall be provided in such form as the Responsible Party reasonably requests and at or prior to the time reasonably specified by the Responsible Party so as to enable the Responsible Party to file such Tax Returns on a timely basis.

Section 7.3 Reliance by SRC . If any member of the SMTA Group supplies information to a member of the SRC Group in connection with a Tax liability and an officer of a member of the SRC Group signs a statement or other document under penalties of perjury in reliance upon the accuracy of such information, then upon the written request of such member of the SRC Group identifying the information being so relied upon, the chief financial officer of SMTA (or any officer of SMTA as designated by the chief financial officer of SMTA) shall certify in writing that to his or her knowledge (based upon consultation with appropriate employees) the information so supplied is accurate and complete.

Section 7.4 Reliance by SMTA . If any member of the SRC Group supplies information to a member of the SMTA Group in connection with a Tax liability and an officer of a member of the SMTA Group signs a statement or other document under penalties of perjury in reliance upon the accuracy of such information, then upon the written request of such member of the SMTA Group identifying the information being so relied upon, the chief financial officer of SRC (or any officer of SRC as designated by the chief financial officer of SRC) shall certify in writing that to his or her knowledge (based upon consultation with appropriate employees) the information so supplied is accurate and complete.

Section 8. Tax Records .

Section 8.1 Retention of Tax Records . Each of SRC and SMTA shall preserve and keep all Tax Records exclusively relating to the assets and activities of its Group for Pre-Distribution Periods, and SRC shall preserve and keep all other Tax Records relating to Taxes of the SRC and SMTA Groups for Pre-Distribution Periods, for so long as the contents thereof may be or become material in the administration of any matter under the Code or other applicable Tax Law, but in any event until the later of (i) the expiration of any applicable statutes of limitations, or (ii) seven (7) years after the Distribution Date (such later date, the “ Retention Date ”). After the Retention Date, each of SRC and SMTA may dispose of such Tax Records upon sixty (60) Business Days’ prior written notice to the other Party. If, prior to the Retention Date, (a) SRC or

 

13


SMTA reasonably determines that any Tax Records which it would otherwise be required to preserve and keep under this Section  8 are no longer material in the administration of any matter under the Code or other applicable Tax Law and the other Party agrees, then such first Party may dispose of such Tax Records upon sixty (60) Business Days’ prior notice to the other Party. Any notice of an intent to dispose given pursuant to this Section  8.1 shall include a list of the Tax Records to be disposed of describing in reasonable detail each file, book, or other record accumulation being disposed. The notified Parties shall have the opportunity, at their cost and expense, to copy or remove, within such sixty (60) Business Day period, all or any part of such Tax Records. If, at any time prior to the Retention Date, a Party or any of its Affiliates determines to decommission or otherwise discontinue any computer program or information technology system used to access or store any Tax Records, then such program or system may be decommissioned or discontinued upon ninety (90) Business Days’ prior notice to the other Party and the other Party shall have the opportunity, at its cost and expense, to copy, within such ninety (90) Business Day period, all or any part of the underlying data relating to the Tax Records accessed by or stored on such program or system.

Section 8.2 Access to Tax Records . The Parties and their respective Affiliates shall make available to each other for inspection and copying during normal business hours upon reasonable notice all Tax Records (and, for the avoidance of doubt, any pertinent underlying data accessed or stored on any computer program or information technology system) in their possession pertaining to (i) in the case of any Tax Return of the SRC Group, the portion of such return that relates to Taxes for which the SMTA Group may be liable pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) in the case of any Tax Return of the SMTA Group, the portion of such return that relates to Taxes for which the SRC Group may be liable pursuant to this Agreement, and shall permit the other Party and its Affiliates, authorized agents and representatives and any representative of a Tax Authority or other Tax auditor direct access, at the cost and expense of the requesting Party, during normal business hours upon reasonable notice to any computer program or information technology system used to access or store any Tax Records, in each case to the extent reasonably required by the other Party in connection with the preparation of Tax Returns or financial accounting statements, audits, litigation, or the resolution of items under this Agreement.

Section 8.3 Preservation of Privilege . The Parties and their respective Affiliates shall not provide access to, copies of, or otherwise disclose to any Person any documentation relating to Taxes existing prior to the Distribution Date to which Privilege may reasonably be asserted without the prior written consent of the other Party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

Section 9. Tax Contests .

Section 9.1 Notice . Each Party shall provide prompt notice to the other Party of any written communication from a Tax Authority regarding any pending Tax audit, assessment or proceeding or other Tax Contest of which it becomes aware (i) related to Taxes for Tax Periods for which it is indemnified by the other Party hereunder or for which it may be required to indemnify the other Party hereunder or (ii) otherwise relating to the Intended Tax Treatment or the Transactions (including the resolution of any Tax Contest relating thereto). Such notice shall attach copies of the pertinent portion of any written communication from a Tax Authority and

 

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contain factual information (to the extent known) describing any asserted Tax liability in reasonable detail and shall be accompanied by copies of any notice and other documents received from any Tax Authority in respect of any such matters. If an indemnified Party has knowledge of an asserted Tax liability with respect to a matter for which it is to be indemnified hereunder and such Party fails to give the indemnifying Party prompt notice of such asserted Tax liability and the indemnifying Party is entitled under this Agreement to contest the asserted Tax liability, then (x) to the extent the indemnifying Party is precluded from contesting the asserted Tax liability in any forum as a result of the failure to give prompt notice, the indemnifying Party shall have no obligation to indemnify the indemnified Party for any Taxes arising out of such asserted Tax liability, and (y) to the extent the indemnifying Party is not precluded from contesting the asserted Tax liability in any forum, but such failure to give prompt notice results in a material monetary detriment to the indemnifying Party, then any amount which the indemnifying Party is otherwise required to pay the indemnified Party pursuant to this Agreement shall be reduced by the amount of such detriment.

Section 9.2 Control of Tax Contests .

(a) SRC Control . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, SRC shall have the right to control any Tax Contest with respect to any Tax matters relating to (i) a Joint Return, (ii) an SRC Separate Return and (iii) Transfer Taxes. Subject to Section  9.2(c) and Section  9.2(d) of this Agreement, SRC shall have absolute discretion with respect to any decisions to be made, or the nature of any action to be taken, with respect to any such Tax Contest.

(b) SMTA Control . Except as otherwise provided in this Section  9.2 , SMTA shall have the right to control any Tax Contest with respect to any Tax matters relating to an SMTA Separate Return. Subject to Section  9.2(c) and Section  9.2(d) of this Agreement, SMTA shall have reasonable discretion, after consultation with SRC, with respect to any decisions to be made, or the nature of any action to be taken, with respect to any such Tax Contest relating to an SMTA Separate Return for a Pre-Distribution Period or Straddle Period, and absolute discretion with respect to any decisions to be made, or the nature of any action to be taken, with respect to any other such Tax Contest.

(c) Settlement Rights . The Controlling Party shall have the sole right to contest, litigate, compromise and settle any Tax Contest without obtaining the prior consent of the Non-Controlling Party; provided , that to the extent any such Tax Contest (i) could give rise to a claim for indemnity by the Controlling Party or its Affiliates against the Non-Controlling Party or its Affiliates under this Agreement, or (ii) is with respect to an SMTA Separate Return for a Pre-Distribution Period or Straddle Period, then the Controlling Party shall not settle any such Tax Contest without the Non-Controlling Party’s prior written consent (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed and must take into account the reasonable likelihood of success of such Tax Contest on its merits without regard to the ability of SMTA to pay). Subject to Section  9.2(e) of this Agreement, and unless waived by the Parties in writing, in connection with any potential adjustment in a Tax Contest as a result of which adjustment the Non-Controlling Party may reasonably be expected to become liable to make any indemnification payment to the Controlling Party under this Agreement: (I) the Controlling Party shall keep the Non-Controlling Party informed in a timely manner of all actions taken or

 

15


proposed to be taken by the Controlling Party with respect to such potential adjustment in such Tax Contest; (II) the Controlling Party shall timely provide the Non-Controlling Party copies of any written materials relating to such potential adjustment in such Tax Contest received from any Tax Authority; (III) the Controlling Party shall timely provide the Non-Controlling Party with copies of any correspondence or filings submitted to any Tax Authority or judicial authority in connection with such potential adjustment in such Tax Contest; (IV) the Controlling Party shall consult with the Non-Controlling Party and offer the Non-Controlling Party a reasonable opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or furnished in connection with such potential adjustment in such Tax Contest; and (V) the Controlling Party shall defend such Tax Contest diligently and in good faith. The failure of the Controlling Party to take any action specified in the preceding sentence with respect to the Non-Controlling Party shall not relieve the Non-Controlling Party of any liability and/or obligation which it may have to the Controlling Party under this Agreement except to the extent that the Non-Controlling Party was actually harmed by such failure, and in no event shall such failure relieve the Non-Controlling Party from any other liability or obligation which it may have to the Controlling Party. In the case of any Tax Contest described in this Section  9 , “ Controlling Party ” means the Party entitled to control the Tax Contest under such Section and “ Non-Controlling Party ” means (x) SRC if SMTA is the Controlling Party and (y) SMTA if SRC is the Controlling Party.

(d) Tax Contest Participation . Subject to Section  9.2(e) of this Agreement, and unless waived by the Parties in writing, the Controlling Party shall provide the Non-Controlling Party with written notice reasonably in advance of, and the Non-Controlling Party shall have the right to attend, any formally scheduled meetings with Tax Authorities or hearings or proceedings before any judicial authorities in connection with any potential adjustment in a Tax Contest pursuant to which the Non-Controlling Party may reasonably be expected to become liable to make any indemnification payment to the Controlling Party under this Agreement. The failure of the Controlling Party to provide any notice specified in this Section  9.2(d) to the Non-Controlling Party shall not relieve the Non-Controlling Party of any liability or obligation which it may have to the Controlling Party under this Agreement except to the extent that the Non-Controlling Party was actually harmed by such failure, and in no event shall such failure relieve the Non-Controlling Party from any other liability or obligation which it may have to the Controlling Party.

(e) Joint Returns . Notwithstanding anything in this Section  9 to the contrary, in the case of a Tax Contest related to a Joint Return, the rights of SMTA and its Affiliates under Section  9.2(c) and Section  9.2(d) of this Agreement shall be limited in scope to the portion of such Tax Contest relating to Taxes for which SMTA may reasonably expected to become liable to make any indemnification payment to SRC under this Agreement.

(f) Power of Attorney . Each member of the SMTA Group shall execute and deliver to SRC (or such member of the SRC Group as SRC shall designate) any power of attorney or other similar document reasonably requested by SRC (or such designee) in connection with any Tax Contest (as to which SRC is the Controlling Party) described in this Section  9 . Each member of the SRC Group shall execute and deliver to SMTA (or such member of the SMTA Group as SMTA shall designate) any power of attorney or other similar document requested by SMTA (or such designee) in connection with any Tax Contest (as to which SMTA is the Controlling Party) described in this Section  9 .

 

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Section 10. Survival of Obligations. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement shall be unconditional and absolute and shall remain in effect without limitation as to time.

Section 11. Tax Treatment of Payments .

Section 11.1 General Rule . Except as otherwise required by applicable Law or as otherwise agreed to by the Parties, any payment (other than interest thereon) made by SRC or any member of the SRC Group to SMTA or any member of the SMTA Group, or by SMTA or any member of the SMTA Group to SRC or any member of the SRC Group, pursuant to this Agreement, the Separation Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement that relates to Taxable periods (or portions thereof) ending on or before the Distribution Date shall be treated by the Parties for all Tax purposes as a distribution by SMTA to SRC, or a capital contribution from SRC to SMTA, as the case may be, occurring immediately before the Distribution; provided, however, that any such payment that is made or received by a Person other than SRC or SMTA, as the case may be, shall be treated as if made or received by the payor or the recipient as agent for SRC or SMTA, in each case as appropriate. No Party shall take any position inconsistent with the treatment described in the preceding sentence, and in the event that a Tax Authority asserts that a Party’s treatment of a payment pursuant to this Agreement should be other than as set forth in the preceding sentence, such Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to contest such challenge.

Section 11.2 Interest . Anything herein or in the Separation Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, to the extent one Party makes a payment of interest to the other Party under this Agreement with respect to the period from the date that the Party receiving the interest payment made a payment of Tax to a Tax Authority to the date that the Party making the interest payment reimbursed the Party receiving the interest payment for such Tax payment, the interest payment shall be treated as interest expense to the Party making such payment (deductible to the extent provided by Law) and as interest income by the Party receiving such payment (includible in income to the extent provided by Law). The amount of the payment shall not be adjusted to take into account any associated Tax Benefit to the Party making such payment or increase in Tax to the Party receiving such payment.

Section 12. Indemnification Payment Escrow . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Separation Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, if one party to this Agreement, the Separation Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (the “ Indemnification Payor ”) is required to pay another party to such agreement (the “ Indemnification Payee ”) any indemnification payment that could reasonably result in income to any Protected REIT for U.S. federal income Tax purposes if paid (such payment, an “ Indemnification Payment ”), then, unless the Indemnification Payee shall have received a tax opinion of a Tax Advisor or a ruling from the IRS to the effect that the Indemnification Payee’s receipt of such payment will be treated as qualifying income with respect to any applicable Protected REIT for purposes of Section 856(c)(2) and 856(c)(3) of the Code (“ Qualifying Income ”) or shall be excluded from income for such purposes (such opinion or ruling, a “ Positive Tax Opinion or Ruling ”), and notified the Indemnification Payor in writing of its receipt of such Positive Tax Opinion or Ruling and directed that payment be made otherwise than into escrow as provided below, the amounts payable to the Indemnification Payee shall be limited to the maximum amount (“ Allowed

 

17


Amount ”) that can be paid without causing the Indemnification Payee’s receipt of its share of such funds to cause any applicable Protected REIT to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and (3) of the Code, determined as if the payment of such amount did not constitute Qualifying Income and the Protected REIT has $1,100,000 of income from unknown sources during such year that does not constitute Qualifying Income (in addition to any known or anticipated income that is not Qualifying Income), as determined by independent accountants to the Indemnification Payee, and any excess of the amount of the Indemnification Payment over the Allowed Amount (such excess, the “ Escrowed Amount ”) shall be placed into escrow. Any such Escrowed Amount shall be retained by the escrow agent in a separate interest-bearing, segregated account for the account of the Indemnification Payor. The Indemnification Payee shall pay all costs associated with obtaining any tax opinion of a Tax Advisor or ruling from the IRS described above. The Escrowed Amount shall be fully disbursed (and therefore any unpaid portion of the Indemnification Payment shall be paid to the Indemnification Payee) upon the escrow agent’s receipt of a Positive Tax Opinion or Ruling. To the extent not previously paid, upon any determination by independent accountants to the Indemnification Payee that any additional amount of the Indemnification Payment may be disbursed to the Indemnification Payee without causing any applicable Protected REIT to fail to meet the requirements of Sections 856(c)(2) and 856(c)(3) of the Code, determined as if the payment of such amount did not constitute Qualifying Income and the Protected REIT has $1,100,000 of income from unknown sources during such year that does not constitute Qualifying Income (in addition to any known or anticipated income that is not Qualifying Income), the determination of such independent accountants shall be provided to the escrow agent and such additional amount shall be disbursed to the Indemnification Payee. At the end of the second calendar year beginning after the date on which the Indemnification Payor’s obligation to pay the Indemnification Payment arose (or earlier if directed by the Indemnification Payee), any remainder of the Escrowed Amount (together with interest thereon) then being held by the escrow agent shall be disbursed to the Indemnification Payor and, in the event that the Indemnification Payment has not by then been paid in full, such unpaid portion shall never be due. The Indemnification Payee shall bear any and all expenses associated with the escrow of the Escrowed Amount. The Indemnification Payee is hereby granted the power of attorney on behalf of the Indemnification Payor to execute, acknowledge, swear to and deliver all such documents required in connection with the foregoing escrow account, such power to be irrevocable and coupled with an interest.

Section 13. Dispute Resolution. Any and all Agreement Disputes arising hereunder shall be resolved through the procedures provided in Article X of the Separation Agreement.

Section 14. General Provisions .

Section 14.1 Amendments and Waivers .

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

 

 

18


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

Section 14.2 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, and the Exhibits and Schedules referenced herein and therein and attached hereto or thereto, constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior negotiations, agreements, commitments, writings, courses of dealing and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof; for the avoidance of doubt, the preceding clause shall apply to all other agreements, whether or not written, in respect of any Tax between or among any member or members of the SRC Group, on the one hand, and any member or members of the SMTA Group, on the other hand, which agreements shall be of no further effect between the parties thereto and any rights or obligations existing thereunder shall be fully and finally settled, calculated as of the date hereof. Except as expressly set forth in the Separation Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement: (i) all matters relating to Taxes and Tax Returns of the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, to the extent such matters are the subject of this Agreement, shall be governed exclusively by this Agreement; and (ii) for the avoidance of doubt, in the event of any conflict between the Separation Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, on the one hand, and this Agreement, on the other hand, with respect to such matters, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall govern.

Section 14.3 Survival of Agreements . Except as otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement, all covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their applicable terms.

Section 14.4 Third Party Beneficiaries . Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and should not be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

Section 14.5 Notices . All notices, requests, permissions, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) five (5) Business Days following sending by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (b) when sent, if sent by facsimile, (c) when delivered, if delivered personally to the intended recipient, and (d) one (1) Business Day following sending by overnight delivery via a national courier service and, in each case, addressed to a Party at the following address for such Party.

 

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  (a) If to SRC:

Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.

2727 North Harwood Street, Suite 300,

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: General Counsel

Facsimile No.: (800) 973-0850

 

  (b) If to SMTA:

Spirit MTA REIT

2727 North Harwood Street, Suite 300,

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Facsimile No.: (800) 973-0850

Section 14.6 Counterparts; Electronic Delivery . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other documents pursuant to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be deemed to be, and shall have the same legal effect as, execution by an original signature and delivery in person.

Section 14.7 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement or the Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto or thereto is determined by a nonappealable decision by a court, administrative agency or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the Transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to either Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the court, administrative agency or arbitrator shall interpret this Agreement so as to affect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the Transactions are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible. If any sentence in this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only as broad as is enforceable.

Section 14.8 Assignability; Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that the rights and obligations of each Party under this Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, whether by operation of law or otherwise, by such Party without the prior written consent of the other Party (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations under this Agreement without such consent shall be null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either Party may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of their respective Affiliates provided that no such assignment shall release such assigning Party from any liability or obligation under this Agreement.

Section 14.9 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to any conflicts of law provisions thereof that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

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Section 14.10 Construction . This Agreement shall be construed as if jointly drafted by the Parties and no rule of construction or strict interpretation shall be applied against either Party. The Parties represent that this Agreement is entered into with full consideration of any and all rights which the Parties may have. The Parties have relied upon their own knowledge and judgment. The Parties have had access to independent legal advice, have conducted such investigations they thought appropriate, and have consulted with such other independent advisors as they deemed appropriate regarding this Agreement and their rights and asserted rights in connection therewith. The Parties are not relying upon any representations or statements made by the other Party, or such other Party’s employees, agents, representatives or attorneys, regarding this Agreement, except to the extent such representations are expressly set forth or incorporated in this Agreement. The Parties are not relying upon a legal duty, if one exists, on the part of the other Party (or such other Party’s employees, agents, representatives or attorneys) to disclose any information in connection with the execution of this Agreement or their preparation, it being expressly understood that neither Party shall ever assert any failure to disclose information on the part of the other Party as a ground for challenging this Agreement.

Section 14.11 Performance . Each Party shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Party.

Section 14.12 Title and Headings . Titles and headings to Sections and Articles are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 14.13 Other Agreements . Except as expressly set forth herein, this Agreement is not intended to address, and should not be interpreted to address, the matters specifically and expressly covered by the Separation Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements.

Section 14.14 Payment Terms .

(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, any amount to be paid or reimbursed by a Party (where applicable, or a member of such Party’s Group) to the other Party (where applicable, or a member of such other Party’s Group) under this Agreement shall be paid or reimbursed hereunder within sixty (60) days after presentation of an invoice or a written demand therefor, in either case setting forth, or accompanied by, reasonable documentation or other reasonable explanation supporting such amount.

(b) Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, any amount not paid when due pursuant to this Agreement (and any amount billed or otherwise invoiced or demanded and properly payable that is not paid within sixty (60) days of such bill, invoice or other demand) shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate, from time to time in effect, plus two percent (2%), calculated for the actual number of days elapsed, accrued from the date on which such payment was due up to the date of the actual receipt of payment.

 

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(c) Without the consent of the Party receiving any payment under this Agreement specifying otherwise, all payments to be made by either SRC or SMTA under this Agreement shall be made in U.S. dollars. Except as expressly provided herein, any amount which is not expressed in U.S. dollars shall be converted into U.S. dollars by using the exchange rate published on Bloomberg at 5:00 pm, Eastern time, on the day before the relevant date, or in The Wall Street Journal on such date if not so published on Bloomberg. Except as expressly provided herein, in the event that any Tax indemnity payment required to be made hereunder may be denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, the amount of such payment shall be converted into U.S. dollars on the date in which notice of the claim is given to the indemnifying Party.

Section 14.15 No Admission of Liability . The allocation of assets and liabilities herein is solely for the purpose of allocating such assets and liabilities between SRC and SMTA and is not intended as an admission of liability or responsibility for any alleged liabilities vis-à-vis any third party, including with respect to the liabilities of any non-wholly owned subsidiary of SRC or SMTA.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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

 

SPIRIT REALTY CAPITAL, INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael Hughes

  Name: Michael Hughes
  Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
SPIRIT MTA REIT
By:  

/s/ Ricardo Rodriguez

  Name: Ricardo Rodriguez
  Title: Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

[ Signature Page to Tax Matters Agreement ]


Exhibit A

 

Transaction Step

  

Intended Tax Treatment

  
  
  

Exhibit 10.3

INSURANCE SHARING AGREEMENT

Dated as of May 31, 2018


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

1.

  

Insurance Procurement

     1  
   1.1      Duty of Manager      1  
   1.2      Policy Type      1  
   1.3      Considerations      2  
   1.4      Binding Effect      2  
   1.5      Reliance Upon Broker      2  
   1.6      Presentation of Claims      2  

2.

  

Existing Policies; Reimbursement

     2  
   2.1      Existing Policies      2  
   2.2      Reimbursement      2  

3.

  

Allocation of Costs and Proceeds

     3  
   3.1      Cost of Separate Insurance      3  
   3.2      Cost of Common Benefit Insurance      3  
   3.3      Remittance of Separate Insurance Proceeds      3  
   3.4      Remittance of Common Benefit Insurance Proceeds      3  

4.

  

Payment of Costs

     4  

5.

  

Term; Termination

     4  

6.

  

General Provisions

     5  
   6.1      Independent Contractor      5  
   6.2      Notices      5  
   6.3      Attorneys’ Fees      5  
   6.4      Non-Assignability      5  
   6.5      Amendments      5  
   6.6      Counterparts      5  
   6.7      Governing Law      6  
   6.8      Cooperation      6  
   6.9      Waiver of Rights      6  
   6.10    Successors and Assigns      6  
   6.11    Subordination      6  
   6.12    Further Assurance      6  

 

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INSURANCE SHARING AGREEMENT

THIS PROPERTY INSURANCE SHARING AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of May 31, 2018 by and among SPIRIT REALTY, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ Manager ”), SPIRIT REALTY CAPITAL, INC., a Maryland corporation (together with its subsidiaries, “ Spirit ”), and SPIRIT MTA REIT, a Maryland real estate investment trust (together with its subsidiaries, “ SMTA ”). Spirit and SMTA are each referred to as an “ Insured Entity ” and, collectively, as the “ Insured Entities ”.

Recitals

WHEREAS, in connection with the proposed spin-off by Spirit of certain assets and liabilities to Spirit’s common stockholders, Manager, Spirit and SMTA will engage in certain restructuring transactions (“ Restructuring Transactions ”) resulting in each of Spirit and SMTA, directly or indirectly, owning or leasing certain land and improvements (collectively, the “ Projects ”) upon the consummation of the Restructuring Transactions,; and

WHEREAS, subject to, and upon the consummation of, the Restructuring Transactions, the Insured Entities desire to appoint Manager as their agent and representative in connection with the matters set forth in this Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Manager and Insured Entities hereby agree as follows:

1. Insurance Procurement .

1.1 Duty of Manager . Subject to, and upon the consummation of, the Restructuring Transactions, the Insured Entities hereby appoint Manager as their agent and representative to procure and continue in force on behalf of the Insured Entities such policies of insurance on the Projects as Manager shall determine to be necessary or appropriate from time to time; provided , however , that such policies of insurance shall at all times materially comply with any requirements by lenders or lessors of the Insured Entities as set forth in any deeds of trust, mortgages and other secured loan documents or instruments, security agreements, ground or other leases and other loan, lease or guaranty agreements, documents or instruments as the Insured Entities may enter into with respect to the Projects from time to time, and which will be provided by the Insured Entities to Manager in accordance with Section 1.3 hereof. The Insured Entities agree that such policies of insurance may include, without limitation, general liability, automobile liability, umbrella liability, property and environmental liability policies.

1.2      Policy Type . Manager has the authority to procure and maintain on behalf of the Insured Entities or an Insured Entity, as the case may be, (i) separate policies of insurance (“ Separate Insurance ”) with respect to (A) one or any group of Projects owned or leased, directly or indirectly, solely by Spirit or SMTA, respectively, and (B) director and officer liability, and (ii) blanket policies of insurance (“ Common Benefit Insurance ”) with respect to any group of Projects owned or leased, directly or indirectly, by Spirit and SMTA, in each case in accordance with this Agreement. All insurance policies procured and maintained by Manager hereunder shall be issued by financially sound and responsible insurance companies and shall insure both the owner or the lessor of the insured Project and Manager, as the case may be.

 

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1.3 Considerations . S ubject to Section  1.6 below, any determination to be made by Manager pursuant to Sections 1.1 and 1.2 above shall be based upon, in addition to such other factors and considerations as Manager may deem to be appropriate, (i) the nature and amount of insurance coverage maintained with respect to similar properties and industries located in the areas in which the Projects are located, (ii) insurance requirements set forth in third-party agreements, including, but not limited to, leases and loan agreements, documents and instruments entered into with respect to the respective Projects and (iii) the condition of, and limitations imposed by, the insurance underwriting market with respect to the availability of insurance coverage. In connection with the foregoing, each Insured Entity agrees that it shall provide to Manager promptly upon request a true and complete copy of each mortgage, loan, lease, security agreement and/or other third party agreement, document and instrument to which such Insured Entity is a party and which contains any insurance requirement with respect to the Projects owned or leased by such Insured Entity.

1.4 Binding Effect . The exercise in good faith of all discretion conferred upon Manager pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be binding upon each of the Insured Entities.

1.5 Reliance Upon Broker . Each Insured Entity authorizes and directs Manager to employ one or more nationally recognized insurance brokerage firms to assist in the performance of its duties hereunder, and Manager shall be entitled to rely in good faith upon any advice given by such brokerage firms with respect to availability of coverages, rates, policy terms, allocations of premiums and coverages, the insurable value of each of the Projects and other similar matters.

1.6 Presentation of Claims . The Insured Entity owning or leasing an affected Project shall inform Manager in writing as soon as reasonably practicable after an event giving rise to a claim for payment of insured losses. Manager shall then promptly present such claim for payment of insured losses to insurance carriers, pursue such claim until final resolution and take other similar actions as Manager determines are reasonably necessary. Each Insured Entity authorizes Manager to employ independent insurance adjusters and other independent contractors as may be reasonably necessary or required by the terms of the applicable insurance policy to effect loss recovery. To the extent the cost thereof is not paid by the insurers, such cost shall be borne as set forth in Section  3.1 below.

2. Existing Policies; Reimbursement .

2.1 Existing Policies . Manager shall use commercially reasonable efforts to add SMTA as a named insured under Spirit’s existing general liability, automobile liability, umbrella liability, property liability and premise environmental liability policies (each, an “ Existing Policy ”), effective upon the consummation of the Restructuring Transactions, until the expiration of the current term of each such Existing Policy. The remittance of insurance proceeds to the Insured Entities under an Existing Policy shall be made at the times and in the manner set forth in Section 3.4 below.

2.2 Reimbursement . SMTA will reimburse Spirit for (i) SMTA’s pro rata share of the premiums and other costs for each Existing Policy to which SMTA is added as a named insured in accordance with the methodology shown on Schedule 1 attached hereto, and (ii) the premiums paid by Spirit on behalf of SMTA under the existing director and officer liability insurance policy for SMTA, in each case, within 60 days of the Effective Date (as defined in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2018, by and between Spirit and SMTA).

 

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3. Allocation of Costs and Proceeds .

From and after the expiration of any relevant Existing Policy, the payment of premiums and other costs by, and remittance of insurance proceeds to, the Insured Entities under Separate Insurance and Common Benefit Insurance shall be made at the times and in the manner set forth in this Section  3 .

3.1 Cost of Separate Insurance . From and after the expiration of any relevant Existing Policy, the premiums and other costs for Separate Insurance, if any, procured and maintained by Manager hereunder shall be paid by the respective Insured Entity named as the insured under such Separate Insurance. Any costs or expenses incurred by Manager with respect to the presentation or pursuit of claims under any such Separate Insurance or with respect to Manager’s assistance in the presentation and pursuit of such claims shall be paid by the respective Insured Entity.

3.2 Cost of Common Benefit Insurance . From and after the expiration of any relevant Existing Policy, the premiums, broker fees and other costs for Common Benefit Insurance, if any, procured and maintained by Manager hereunder with respect to any Projects owned or leased, directly or indirectly, by Spirit and SMTA shall be paid by the Insured Entities in accordance with the methodology shown on Schedules 2-6 attached hereto. Any costs or expenses incurred by Manager with respect to the presentation or pursuit of claims under any Common Benefit Insurance shall, if such claims are pursued for the benefit of only one Insured Entity, be paid by such Insured Entity and, if such claims are pursued for the benefit of more than one Insured Entity, be paid by the relevant Insured Entity (a) if Insurance Proceeds (defined below) are remitted to the Insured Entities with respect to insured losses or damages from an event or casualty covered by Common Benefit Insurance, in proportion to their respective share of the Insurance Proceeds from Common Benefit Insurance as set forth in Section  3.4 below and (b) if Insurance Proceeds are not remitted to the Insured Entities with respect to insured losses or damages from an event or casualty covered by Common Benefit Insurance, in proportion to their respective share of the premium cost for Common Benefit Insurance as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence of this Section  3.2 .

3.3 Remittance of Separate Insurance Proceeds . Insurance proceeds, net of any deductible or exclusion (“ Insurance Proceeds ”), with respect to insured losses or damages from an event or casualty covered by Separate Insurance shall be remitted solely to the respective Insured Entity named as the insured under such Separate Insurance.

3.4 Remittance of Common Benefit Insurance Proceeds . Insurance Proceeds with respect to insured losses or damages from an event or casualty covered by Common Benefit Insurance shall be remitted to the Insured Entities as follows, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section  3.4(c) :

(a) If one Project sustains insured losses or damages from the same event or casualty covered by Common Benefit Insurance, Insurance Proceeds with respect to such insured losses or damages shall be remitted to the Insured Entity owning or leasing such Project;

 

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(b) If more than one Project sustains insured losses or damages from an event or casualty covered by Common Benefit Insurance, Insurance Proceeds with respect to such insured losses or damages shall be remitted to the Insured Entities owning or leasing such Projects; provided that such Insurance Proceeds shall be remitted to each such Insured Entity so that the proportion of such Insurance Proceeds received by each such Insured Entity equals a fraction, the numerator of which is the insured losses or damages sustained by the Projects owned or leased by each such Insured Entity and the denominator of which is the aggregate insured losses or damages sustained by all Projects owned or leased by both such Insured Entities; and

(c) If Insurance Proceeds are remitted to the Insured Entities pursuant to Sections 3.4(a) and/or (b)  for insured losses or damages from more than one event or casualty covered by Common Benefit Insurance, at the end of each calendar year during the existence of a Common Benefit Insurance and, in the year of termination of such Common Benefit Insurance, upon termination of such Common Benefit Insurance, the Insured Entities agree to make or receive payments, without interest, amongst themselves as necessary so that the proportion of such Insurance Proceeds received by each such Insured Entity during the existence of the Common Benefit Insurance date equals a fraction, the numerator of which is the insured losses or damages sustained by the Projects owned or leased by each such Insured Entity through such date of determination and the denominator of which is the aggregate insured losses or damages sustained by all Projects owned or leased by all such Insured Entities during the existence of the Common Benefit Insurance through such date of determination.

4. Payment of Costs .

The Insured Entities each hereby direct Manager, as soon as practicable after the receipt of each premium notice for any policy of insurance procured or maintained by Manager hereunder and the receipt of any invoice for any other item of cost related to such policy of insurance, to give written notice to the Insured Entities of the amount of such premium or invoice allocable to each such Insured Entity as determined pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.2 above. Not less than five (5) business days prior to the last date for payment without penalty stated in such premium notice or invoice, each Insured Entity shall pay to Manager, or to the insurance broker or insurance company, as directed by Manager, its allocable share of the amount of such premium or invoice, or the entire premium or invoice, in the case of Separate Insurance. Manager shall be entitled to finance the cost of any Common Benefit Insurance obtained hereunder over the policy period of such Common Benefit Insurance, in which case the costs thereof for which the Insured Entities are responsible shall include all interest, fees and other costs of such financing. Manager shall notify the Insured Entities of the periodic payments required under such financing and each Insured Entity shall pay its allocable share thereof not less than five (5) business days prior to the date each such payment is due.

5. Term; Termination .

(a) Unless the parties hereto agree otherwise, this Agreement shall be effective upon, the consummation of the Restructuring Transactions until the date that is three years after the date hereof (the “ Original Term ”). At the expiration of the Original Term, this Agreement shall be deemed renewed automatically each year for an additional one-year period. Each of the Manager and the Insured Entities shall be entitled to withdraw from this Agreement upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the other parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the termination of the Asset Management Agreement, dated May 31, 2018, between SMTA and Manager.

 

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(b) At least 30 (thirty) days before the expiration date of each policy of insurance (such expiration date, the “ Reallocation Date ”), Manager shall notify each Insured Entity of the premium allocations for the period beginning on the Reallocation Date (the “ Following Period ”), specifying such allocations in the form shown on Schedules 2-6 hereto. Such allocations shall replace and supersede in their entirety Schedules 2-6 for such Following Period.

(c) Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section  5(a) , each Insured Entity shall, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, negotiate in good faith to equitably separate the policies of insurance on the Projects that constitute Common Benefit Insurance, including the equitable resolution of (i) the payment of premiums and other costs by the Insured Entities under Common Benefit Insurance pursuant to Sections 3.2 and (ii) the remittance of insurance proceeds to the Insured Entities under Common Benefit Insurance pursuant to Section  3.4 .

6. General Provisions .

6.1 Independent Contractor . It is expressly understood and agreed that Manager acts as an independent contractor in performance of its duties as described herein.

6.2 Notices . All notices, demands, consents and reports provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be personally served or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid to the Insured Entities at 2727 North Harwood Street, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75201, or to such other address as each Insured Entity may provide to the other by written notice. For purposes of this Agreement, notices will be deemed to have been given upon personal delivery thereof or forty-eight (48) hours after having been deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid and properly addressed.

6.3 Attorneys Fees . If any suit, action or proceeding is instituted in connection with any controversy arising out of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover, in addition to costs, such sum as the court may adjudge reasonable as attorneys’ fees in such suit, action or proceeding and on any appeal from any judgment or decree entered therein.

6.4 Non-Assignability . This Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder, shall be fully assignable by the Manager to an affiliate thereof. This Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder shall not be assignable by any other party hereto without the written consent of all of the other parties hereto. Provided, however, that the foregoing shall not extend to assignments required by any insurance carrier in any matter relating to subrogation and shall not extend to an assignment by any Insured Entity in connection with a sale or financing of a Project or a portion thereof.

6.5 Amendments . Except as otherwise provided herein all amendments to this Agreement shall be in writing and executed by the party to be charged.

6.6 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, which, when taken together, shall constitute one original.

 

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6.7 Governing Law . This Agreement and all questions relating to its validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement shall be governed by and construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, notwithstanding any New York or other conflict-of-law provisions to the contrary.

6.8 Cooperation . The Insured Entities shall furnish such information and reasonable assistance in presenting or prosecuting any claim for payment under a policy of insurance procured or maintained by Manager hereunder as may be reasonably requested by Manager.

6.9 Waiver of Rights . The failure of any Insured Entity to seek redress for violation, or to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, agreement, provision or condition of this Agreement, shall not constitute a waiver of the terms of such covenant, agreement, provision or condition at any subsequent time, or of the terms of any other covenant, agreement, provision or condition contained in this Agreement.

6.10 Successors and Assigns . This Agreement and each of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Insured Entities hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, subject to Section  6.4 above.

6.11 Subordination . This Agreement shall be and remain absolutely and unconditionally subordinate to any valid recorded deed of trust on each Project or any part thereof and to any ground lease or other lease of a Project to an Insured Entity whether already or hereafter recorded.

6.12 Further Assurance . The Insured Entities hereby agree to take such further action and to execute such other and further documents as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Insured Entities have executed this Insurance Sharing Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

SPIRIT REALTY CAPITAL, INC.,

a Maryland corporation

By:  

/s/ Michael Hughes

  Name: Michael Hughes
  Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

SPIRIT MTA REIT,

a Maryland real estate investment trust

By:  

/s/ Ricardo Rodriguez

  Name: Ricardo Rodriguez
  Title: Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

[ Signature page to Insurance Sharing Agreement ]


The undersigned hereby agrees to perform and comply with its obligations and duties under the foregoing Insurance Sharing Agreement.

MANAGER

SPIRIT REALTY, L.P.,

a Delaware limited partnership

 

By:   Spirit General OP Holdings, LLC,
  a Delaware limited liability company, its general partner
  By:  

/s/ Ken Heimlich

    Name: Ken Heimlich
    Title: Executive Vice President

[ Signature page to Insurance Sharing Agreement ]


SCHEDULE 1

Premium Allocation – Interim Period

General Liability

Total unamortized premium balance, including all surcharges, taxes, policy fees and broker commissions, multiplied by the percentage that represents SMTA’s square footage to total square footage.

Example : Assuming an effective date for the spin-off related to the Restructuring Transactions referred to in the preamble to this Agreement (“ Spin-off Effective Date ”) of 5/31/18, total unamortized premium balance is $83,739. SMTA’s square footage is 42.44% of total square footage, therefore, the allocation is $35,539.

Automobile Liability

Neither SMTA nor SRC has any owned autos. The policy premium, including all surcharges, fees, taxes, policy fees and broker commissions, is for Hired and Non-Owned Liability, which is primarily for autos rented for business by employees and for employees using their own autos for business purposes. Since SMTA has no employees, no allocation is needed.

Umbrella Liability

Total unamortized premium balance, including all surcharges, taxes, policy fees and broker commissions, multiplied by the percentage that represents SMTA’s square footage to total square footage.

Example : Assuming a Spin-off Effective Date of 5/31/18, total unamortized premium balance is $24,154. SMTA’s square footage is 42.44% of total square footage, therefore, the allocation is $10,251.

Property

Total unamortized premium balance, including all surcharges, taxes, policy fees and broker commissions, multiplied by the percentage that represents SMTA’s insured property values to total insured property values.

Example : Assuming a Spin-off Effective Date of 5/31/18, total unamortized premium balance is $211,875. SMTA’s insured property values are 13.53% of total insured property values, therefore, the allocation is $28,666.

Premises Environmental Liability

Total unamortized premium balance, including all surcharges, taxes, policy fees and broker commissions, multiplied by the percentage that represents SMTA’s proportionate share of the balance, based on a premium by category/industry type, which is multiplied by the number of locations in each category.


Example : Assuming a Spin-off Effective Date of 5/31/18, total unamortized premium balance is $277,891. SMTA’s proportionate share is 33.6% of the balance, based on the sum of the individual premiums by category.

 

    Single-tenant retail, grocery or restaurant – 200 at $400 each

 

    Office or medical – 589 at $500 each

 

    Carwash, gas station, auto dealership or auto repair shop – 98 at $750 each

 

    Industrial or manufacturing – 11 at $1,000 each

Using this methodology, total SMTA premium for the term would be $459,000, or 33.6% of the total premium of $1,366,070 paid by Spirit for the full term. Therefore, SMTA will be allocated $93,414 for the interim period.


SCHEDULE 2

Premium Allocation – General Liability Policy

Total annual policy premium, including all surcharges, taxes, policy fees and broker commissions, multiplied by the percentage that represents the SMTA square footage to total square footage, based on the schedule provided to carriers in the renewal submission. The remainder is allocated to Spirit.

Example : Total premium is $335,000. Total square feet insured at time of renewal submission is 44,000,000. SMTA owns 19,800,000 square feet, or 45% of the total. Total premium of $335,000 multiplied by 45% equals $150,750. The remainder is allocated to Spirit.


SCHEDULE 3

Premium Allocation – Automobile Liability

Neither SMTA nor Spirit has any owned autos. The policy premium, including all surcharges, fees, taxes, policy fees and broker commissions, is for Hired and Non-Owned Liability, which is primarily for autos rented for business by employees and for employees using their own autos for business purposes. Since SMTA has no employees, the full annual premium will be allocated to Spirit.


SCHEDULE 4

Premium Allocation – Umbrella Liability

Total annual policy premium, including all surcharges, taxes, policy fees and broker commissions, multiplied by the percentage that represents the SMTA square feet to total square feet, based on the schedule provided to carriers in the renewal submission. The remainder is allocated to Spirit.

Example : Total premium is $97,000. Total square feet insured at time of renewal submission is 44,000,000. SMTA owns 19,800,000 square feet, or 45% of the total. Total premium of $97,000 multiplied by 45% equals $43,650. The remainder is allocated to Spirit.


SCHEDULE 5

Premium Allocation – Property

Total annual policy premium, including all surcharges, taxes, policy fees and broker commissions, multiplied by the percentage that represents the SMTA property values insured to total property values insured, based on the schedule provided to carriers in the renewal submission. The remainder is allocated to Spirit.

Example : Total premium is $600,000. Total property values insured at time of renewal submission are $30,000,000. SMTA property values insured are $10,000,000 or 33.3% of total property values insured. Total premium of $600,000 multiplied by 33.3% equals $199,800. The remainder is allocated to Spirit.


SCHEDULE 6

Premium Allocation – Environmental Liability

Total annual policy premium, including all surcharges, taxes, policy fees and broker commissions, is based on a premium per occupancy type multiplied by the number of properties that fall within each occupancy category. The SMTA allocation will be the sum of each premium for each property, based on the premium per occupancy. The remainder is allocated to Spirit.

Example : Total premium is $900,000. The premiums by occupancy type are shown below.

 

Single-tenant retail, grocery or restaurant with no historical uses of concern:

   $ 400  

Single-tenant retail, grocery or restaurant with historical uses of concern:

   $ 600  

Commercial office or medical office:

   $ 500  

Industrial or Manufacturing:

   $ 1,000  

Multi-family residential:

   $ 30 per unit  

Carwash, gas station, auto dealership or automobile repair shop:

   $ 750  

Multi-tenant retail shoping center or strip mall:

   $ 500  

Vacant land with no historical uses of concern:

   $ 25 per acre  

SMTA has 400 single-tenant retail properties with no historical uses of concern, 300 restaurants with no historical uses of concern, 100 grocery stores with no historical uses of concern and 100 medical offices.

The premiums by category are $160,000 (400 X $400); $120,000 (300 X $400); $40,000 (100 X $400); and $50,000 (100 X $500) for a total of $370,000.

Exhibit 10.4

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT is entered into as of May 31, 2018 by and among Spirit MTA REIT, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “ Company ”), and Spirit Realty, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Initial Holder ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company, the Initial Holder and one of the Initial Holder’s wholly-owned subsidiaries entered into that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2018 (the “ Contribution Agreement ”), in connection with the issuance by the Company to the Initial Holder and its wholly-owned subsidiary of a total of 6,000,000 10.0% Series A cumulative redeemable preferred shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “ Series A Preferred Shares ”) as consideration for certain equity interests contributed by the Initial Holder (directly or indirectly through its subsidiaries) to the Company;

WHEREAS, the Series A Preferred Shares shall be issued pursuant to the Articles Supplementary, dated as of May 31, 2018 (the “ Articles Supplementary ”), establishing the terms of the Series A Preferred Shares;

WHEREAS, in order to induce the Initial Holder to enter into the Contribution Agreement, the Company has agreed to grant to the Initial Holder and its affiliates and permitted assignees and transferees the registration rights set forth in Article II hereof; and

WHEREAS, the execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement.

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

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1. Definitions . In addition to the definitions set forth above, the following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:

Affiliate ” of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “ controlling ” and “ controlled ” have meanings correlative to the foregoing; provided, that the Holders shall not be considered Affiliates of the Company or any other subsidiaries of the Company.

Agreement ” means this Registration Rights Agreement, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

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

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Shares ” means the commons shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01, of the Company.

 

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Company ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

Company Offering ” means an offering pursuant to an effective registration statement in which equity securities of the Company are sold (whether or not for the account of the Company) (i) to an underwriter on a firm commitment basis for reoffering and resale to the public, (ii) in an offering that is a “bought deal” with one or more investment banks or (iii) in a block trade with a broker-dealer, but shall, in each case, not include any at-the-market offering programs of the Company.

Declaration of Trust ” means the declaration of trust of the Company.

Demand Registration ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.1(a) .

Demand Registration Statement ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.1(a) .

Effectiveness Period ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.2(a) .

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Holder ” means (i) the Initial Holder, or (ii) any assignee or transferee of the Initial Holder (including assignments or transfers of Registrable Securities to such assignees or transferees as a result of the foreclosure on any loans secured by such Registrable Securities) (x) to the extent permitted under, and not in violation of the Declaration of Trust, and (y) provided such assignee or transferee agrees in writing to be bound by all the provisions hereof.

Holder Indemnitee ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.6 .

Indemnified Party ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.8 .

Indemnifying Party ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.8 .

Initial Holder ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.

Inspectors ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.4(m) .

Permitted Offering ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.12 .

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

Contribution Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.

Qualified Offering ” means an offering pursuant to an effective registration statement in which Registrable Securities are sold (i) to an underwriter on a firm commitment basis for reoffering and resale to the public, (ii) in an offering that is a “bought deal” with one or more investment banks or (iii) in a block trade with a broker-dealer, but in each case shall not include any at-the-market offering programs of the Company.

Records ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.4(m) .

Registration Expenses ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.5 .

Registrable Securities ” means with respect to any Holder, (a) the Series A Preferred Shares owned, either of record or beneficially, by such Holder that were received by the Initial Holder and its Affiliates pursuant to the

 

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Contribution Agreement, and (b) the maximum number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Shares based on the share cap set forth in the Articles Supplementary, together with any additional Common Shares issued as a dividend or distribution on, in exchange for, or otherwise in respect of, such securities (including as a result of splits, combinations, recapitalizations, mergers, consolidations, reorganizations or otherwise). As to any particular Registrable Securities, they shall cease to be Registrable Securities at the earliest time as one of the following shall have occurred: (i) a registration statement (including a Shelf Registration Statement) covering such shares has been declared effective by the Commission and all such shares have been disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement or (ii) such shares have been sold in accordance with Rule 144.

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule thereto that may be promulgated by the Commission.

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

Selling Holder ” means a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act pursuant to the terms hereof.

Series A Preferred Shares ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.

Shelf Registration Statement ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.2(a) .

Suspension Notice ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.12 .

Suspension Period ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.12 .

ARTICLE II

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

Section 2.1. Demand Registration .

(a) Commencing on August 1, 2019 and from time to time so long as there are any Registrable Securities outstanding, if the Company is not eligible to file a Shelf Registration Statement, if the Company has not caused a Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission in accordance with Section  2.2 or if the Shelf Registration Statement shall cease to be effective, subject to the minimum size limitations in Section  2.3(a) , the Holder(s) holding a majority of Registrable Securities then outstanding may collectively make one or more written requests to the Company for registration under the Securities Act of all or part of its or their Registrable Securities (a “ Demand Registration ”). The Holders submitting the request for a Demand Registration shall concurrently provide written notice of the proposed registration to all other Holders. The Company shall prepare and file with the Commission, within thirty (30) days after such request for a Demand Registration, a registration statement on an appropriate form which the Company is then eligible to use with respect to any Demand Registration (a “ Demand Registration Statement ”) as selected by the Company, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause any such Demand Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission as promptly as reasonably practicable after the filing thereof. Any request for a Demand Registration will specify the number of shares of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the offering thereof; provided that the requesting Holder(s) may change the number of Registrable Securities proposed to be offered pursuant to any Demand Registration at any time prior to the Demand Registration Statement with respect to the Demand Registration being declared effective by the Commission, in each case subject to the minimum size limitations in Section  2.3(a) . Without the prior written consent of the Holders requesting such Demand Registration, neither the Company nor any shareholder of the Company (other than the Holders) may include securities in any offering requested under this Section  2.1 .

 

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(b) Effective Registration . The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to keep any Demand Registration Statement continuously effective and in compliance with the Securities Act and usable for sale of such Registrable Securities for the period as may be requested by the Selling Holders.

Section 2.2. Shelf Registration.

(a) The Company shall prepare and file not later than June 1, 2019, a “shelf” registration statement with respect to the resale of all of the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof on an appropriate form which the Company is then eligible to use for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (the “ Shelf Registration Statement ”) and permitting registration of such Registrable Securities for resale by such Holders in accordance with the methods of distribution elected by the Holders and set forth in the Shelf Registration Statement. Unless the Shelf Registration Statement shall become automatically effective, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission prior to July 31, 2019, and, subject to Section  2.12 , to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective for a period ending when all Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement are no longer Registrable Securities (the “ Effectiveness Period ”).

(b) At the time the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective, each Holder shall be named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Holder to deliver such prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable law.

(c) Subsequent Filings . The Company shall prepare and file such additional registration statements as necessary and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statements to be declared effective by the Commission so that a Shelf Registration Statement remains continuously effective, subject to Section  2.12 , with respect to resales of all Registrable Securities as and for the periods required under Section  2.2(a) (such subsequent registration statements to constitute a Shelf Registration Statement).

Section 2.3. Qualified Offerings .

(a) Requests . Any offering under a Demand Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement shall be by means of a Qualified Offering if requested in writing by the Holder(s) requesting such Demand Registration or offering of Registrable Securities off of a Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable. Any request for a Qualified Offering hereunder shall be made to the Company in accordance with the notice provisions of this Agreement. Without the prior written consent of the Holders, neither the Company nor any shareholder of the Company (other than the Holders) may include securities in any Qualified Offering requested under this Section  2.3 .

(b) Reduction of Qualified Offering . Notwithstanding anything contained herein, if the managing underwriter(s) of an offering described in Section  2.3(a) advise in writing the Company and the Holder(s) of the Registrable Securities included in such offering that the size of the intended offering is such that the success of the offering would be significantly and adversely affected by inclusion of all the Registrable Securities requested to be included, then the amount of securities to be offered for the accounts of the Holders shall be reduced pro rata among such Holders (according to the Registrable Securities requested for inclusion by them or in such other proportions as mutually agreed by the requesting Holders) to the extent necessary to reduce the total amount of securities to be included in such offering to the amount recommended by such managing underwriter(s).

(c) Managing Underwriters . The Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be included in a Qualified Offering pursuant to Section  2.3(a) shall select the managing underwriter(s) in connection with any Qualified Offering; provided that such managing underwriter must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

(d) Structure . The Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be included in a Qualified Offering pursuant to Section  2.3(a) shall determine the size, manner of sale, plan of distribution, price, underwriting discounts and other financial terms for the offering. Each Holder will be permitted to request the removal of any

 

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Registrable Securities held by it from any Qualified Offering pursuant to Section  2.3(a) at any time prior to the pricing of the Qualified Offering or the effective date of the applicable registration statement (or supplement for a take down in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement), by providing written notice thereof to the Company.

Section 2.4. Registration Procedures; Filings; Information . Subject to Section  2.12 hereof, in connection with each registration effected by the Company pursuant to Sections 2.1 or 2.2 or offering pursuant thereto, as applicable:

(a) The Company will, as promptly as practicable, prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, post-effective amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to cause or maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement for so long as such registration statement is required to be kept effective and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement during the period in which such registration statement is required to be kept effective, and, upon the written request of a Holder, the Company shall as soon as reasonably practicable amend or supplement the prospectus relating to the Shelf Registration Statement to facilitate a “take down” as may be reasonably requested by such Holder.

(b) The Company will, within a reasonable period of time prior (but no later than two (2) Business Days prior) to filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities being registered and each underwriter, if any, of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of such registration statement as proposed to be filed, and thereafter furnish to such Holder and underwriter, if any, such number of conformed copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents proposed to be filed including documents that are to be incorporated by reference into the registration statement, amendment or supplement or as such Holder or underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Holder. The Company shall consider in good faith such reasonable changes in any such documents prior to the filing thereof as the counsel to the Holders may request and the Company shall make available such of its representatives as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders or any underwriter available for discussion of such documents.

(c) The Company will furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities being registered, without charge, such number of conformed copies of such registration statement and of each such amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits) other than those which are being incorporated into such registration statement by reference, such number of copies of the prospectus contained in such registration statements (including each complete prospectus and any summary or preliminary prospectus) and any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents, including documents incorporated by reference, as any Holder or an underwriter in a Qualified Offering may reasonably request, in each case, including each such amendment and supplement thereto, to the extent such other documents are not available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval System (or any successor system), in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities by such Holder (it being understood that the Company consents to the use of such prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by the Holders and their underwriters, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities thereby).

(d) The Company will notify each Holder, as promptly as practicable after it shall receive notice thereof, of the time when such registration statement, or any post-effective amendments to such registration statement, shall have become effective, or a supplement to any prospectus forming part of such registration statement has been filed or when any document is filed with the Commission that would be incorporated by reference into the prospectus.

(e) The Company will deliver as promptly as practicable to Holders’ counsel copies of all correspondence between the Commission and the Company, its counsel or auditors with respect to any registration statement relating to Registrable Securities.

 

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(f) After the filing of a registration statement, the Company will as promptly as practicable notify each Selling Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement of (i) any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance or entry of such stop order, injunction or other order or requirement and, if issued or entered, to obtain as soon as practicable the lifting thereof, and (ii) the removal of any such stop order, injunction or other order or requirement or proceeding or the lifting of any such suspension.

(g) The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States (where an exemption does not apply) as any Holder or managing underwriter(s), if any, reasonably (in light of such Holder’s intended plan of distribution) requests, (ii) keep such registration or qualification in effect for so long as such registration statement is required to be kept effective, (iii) cooperate with the Holders and the underwriter(s), if any, and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and (iv) cause such Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company; provided that the Company will not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this paragraph (g), (B) subject itself to any material tax obligation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or (C) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction to which it is not then so subject. The Company will promptly notify each Selling Holder of (x) the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction or the initiation or threat of initiation of any proceeding for such purpose, and the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such order or suspension and, if issued, will use its reasonable best efforts to remove any such order or suspension and (y) the removal of any such order or suspension.

(h) The Company will immediately notify each Holder of such Registrable Securities, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the occurrence of an event requiring the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such registration statement or prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such registration statement or prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and promptly prepare and file, and furnish to each Selling Holder a reasonable number of copies of, any such supplement or amendment.

(i) The Company will cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the timely delivery, preparation and delivery of certificates, with requisite CUSIP numbers, representing Registrable Securities to be sold.

(j) The Company will otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to its securityholders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering a period of twelve (12) months, beginning after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder (or any successor rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission).

(k) Subject to Section  2.3(a) , in the case of a Qualified Offering hereunder, the Company will enter into and perform its obligations under customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement, if any, in customary form and including provisions with respect to indemnification and contribution in customary form and consistent with the provisions relating to indemnification and contribution contained herein) and take such other actions as are reasonably required and at such times as customarily occur in similar registered offerings in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities subject to such Qualified Offering, including:

(i) making such representations and warranties to the Selling Holders and the underwriters, if any, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers in similar offerings;

 

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(ii) using its reasonable best efforts to obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and updates thereof addressed to the underwriters, if any, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in similar offerings;

(iii) using its reasonable best efforts to obtain “cold comfort” letters and updates thereof from the Company’s independent certified public accountants addressed to the underwriters, if any, which letters shall be customary in form and shall cover matters of the type customarily covered in “cold comfort” letters to underwriters in connection with similar offerings; and

(iv) to the extent reasonably requested by the lead or managing underwriters, making the Company’s executive officers available for customary presentations to investors to discuss the affairs of the Company at times that may be mutually and reasonably agreed upon (including, to the extent customary, senior management participation in due diligence calls with the underwriters and their counsel and, in the case of any marketed Qualified Offering, sending appropriate officers of the Company to attend “road shows” scheduled in reasonable number and at reasonable times in connection with any such Qualified Offering).

(l) In the case of a Qualified Offering, the Company will make available for inspection by any Selling Holder of Registrable Securities subject to such Qualified Offering, any underwriter participating in any disposition of such Registrable Securities and any attorney, accountant or other professional retained by any such Selling Holder or underwriter (the “ Inspectors ”), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the “ Records ”) as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any Inspector in connection with such registration statement, subject to entry by each such Inspector of a customary confidentiality agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company.

(m) The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause all Registrable Securities covered by a registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 2.1 or 2.2 to be listed on the securities exchange or national quotation system on which the Common Shares are then listed or quoted, subject to the listing standards of such securities exchange or national quotation system.

(n) The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to facilitate the registration and thereafter to complete the distribution of the Registrable Securities so registered.

(o) The Company may require each Selling Holder of Registrable Securities to promptly furnish in writing to the Company such information regarding such Selling Holder, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of distribution of the Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request and such other information as may be legally required in connection with such registration. No Holder may include Registrable Securities in any registration statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder has furnished to the Company such information. Each Holder further agrees to furnish as soon as reasonably practicable to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.

(p) Each Selling Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Sections 2.4(f) or 2.4(h) or upon receipt of a Suspension Notice, such Selling Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until such Selling Holder’s receipt of written notice from the Company that such disposition may be made and, in the case of Section  2.4(h) copies of any supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section  2.4(h) and, if so directed by the Company, such Selling Holder will deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Selling Holder’s possession, of the most recent prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such notice. Each Selling Holder of

 

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Registrable Securities agrees that it will immediately notify the Company at any time when a prospectus relating to the registration of such Registrable Securities is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of an event as a result of which information previously furnished by such Selling Holder to the Company in writing for inclusion in such prospectus contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which they were made.

Section 2.5. Registration Expenses . In connection with the registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement and the Company’s performance of its other obligations hereunder, the Company shall pay any and all third party (except with respect to clause (iv) below) registration expenses incurred in connection therewith (the “ Registration Expenses ”), regardless whether a registration statement is declared effective by the Commission, including: (i) all registration and filing fees; (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with securities or “blue sky” laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities); (iii) all printing expenses; (iv) all of the Company’s internal expenses (including all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties); (v) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities; (vi) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and customary fees and expenses for independent certified public accountants retained by the Company (including the expenses of any comfort letters or costs associated with the delivery by independent certified public accountants of a comfort letter or comfort letters); (vii) all fees and disbursements of the Company’s auditors, including in connection with the preparation of comfort letters, and any transfer agent and registrar fees; (viii) all fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration and (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Initial Holder; provided , however , that the Company shall have no obligation to pay any underwriting fees, discounts or commissions attributable to the sale of Registrable Securities or any transfer taxes relating to the registration or sale of the Registrable Securities.

Section 2.6. Indemnification by the Company . The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder and each Holder’s officers, directors, agents, partners, members, employees, managers, advisors, sub-advisors, attorneys, representatives and Affiliates, each underwriter (within the meaning of the Securities Act), and each Person, if any, who controls such Selling Holder or underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, a “ Holder Indemnitee ”) from and against, as incurred, any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), costs and expenses (including reasonable and documented fees, expenses and disbursements of attorneys and other professionals) that arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement, preliminary prospectus, prospectus, or free writing prospectus relating to the Registrable Securities (in each case, as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), or that arise out of or are based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except to the extent such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses arise out of or are based upon any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission included in such registration statement or in any such prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information regarding such Holder Indemnitee which was furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder Indemnitee or on such Holder Indemnitee’s behalf expressly for inclusion therein.

Section 2.7. Indemnification by Holders of Registrable Securities . Each Selling Holder agrees, severally but not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its officers, trustees, agents, employees, attorneys, representatives and Affiliates, each underwriter (within the meaning of the Securities Act), and each Person, if any, who controls the Company or underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to such Selling Holder, but only with respect to information relating to such Selling Holder that was included in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing by such Selling Holder or on such Selling Holder’s behalf expressly for use in any registration statement, preliminary prospectus, prospectus or free writing prospectus relating to the Registrable Securities, or any amendment or supplement thereto; provided , however , that the total obligations of such Selling Holder under this Agreement (including, but not limited to, obligations arising under

 

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Section  2.9 herein) will be limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds actually received by such Selling Holder (after deducting any discounts and commissions) from the disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement.

Section 2.8. Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings . In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section  2.6 or 2.7 , such person (an “ Indemnified Party ”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (an “ Indemnifying Party ”) in writing of the commencement thereof, and the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and shall assume the payment of all fees and expenses ( provided , however , that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice will not relieve such Indemnifying Party of any obligations hereunder, except to the extent such Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure). The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof; provided , however , that (i) if the Indemnifying Party fails to take reasonable steps necessary to defend diligently the action or proceeding within twenty (20) Business Days after receiving notice from such Indemnified Party that the Indemnified Party believes it has failed to do so, or (ii) if such Indemnified Party who is a defendant in any action or proceeding which is also brought against the Indemnifying Party shall have reasonably concluded, based on the advice of counsel, that there may be one or more legal defenses available to such Indemnified Party which are not available to the Indemnifying Party, then, in any such proceeding, any Indemnified Party shall have the right to assume or continue its own defense and the Indemnifying Party shall be liable for the expenses therefor subject to the remainder of this Section  2.8 . It is understood that the Indemnifying Party shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one (1) separate firm of attorneys in each jurisdiction at any time for all such Indemnified Parties, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred upon written request and presentation of invoices. In the case of any such separate firm for the Indemnified Parties, such firm shall be designated in writing by (i) in the case of Persons indemnified pursuant to Section  2.6 hereof, the Selling Holders which owned a majority of the Registrable Securities sold under the applicable registration statement and (ii) in the case of Persons indemnified pursuant to Section  2.7 , the Company. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled with such consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify and hold harmless such Indemnified Parties from and against any loss or liability (to the extent stated above) by reason of such settlement or judgment. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, effect any settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or (to the knowledge of the Indemnifying Party) threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnity or contribution could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party (whether or not the Indemnified Party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim), unless such settlement, compromise or judgment includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such action or claim without any admission of fault, culpability, failure to act or liability by or on behalf of any such Indemnified Party.

Section 2.9. Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in Section  2.6 or 2.7 hereof is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses that otherwise would have been covered by Section  2.6 or 2.7 hereof, then each such Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of each Selling Holder, on the other hand, in connection with such statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of each Selling Holder, on the other, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such party.

The Company and the Selling Holders agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant

 

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to this Section  2.9 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section  2.9 , no Selling Holder shall be required to contribute any amount which in the aggregate exceeds the amount that such Selling Holder would have been obligated to pay by way of indemnification if indemnification as provided for under Section  2.7 had been available under the circumstances. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Selling Holders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section  2.9 , if any, are several in proportion to amount that the proceeds of the offering actually received by such Selling Holder bears to the total proceeds of the offering received by all the Selling Holders, and not joint.

Section 2.10. Rule 144 . The Company covenants that it will use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable requirements under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder so as to enable any Holder to sell its Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144, including to (a) make and keep public information regarding the Company available, as those terms are defined in Rule 144(c)(1), (b) file with the Commission in a timely manner any reports and documents required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, (c) furnish to any Holder forthwith upon request (i) a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested by a Holder so as to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the exemptions provided by Rule 144, and (d) take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable Holders to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 (including reasonably cooperating with the Holders to cause the transfer agent to remove any restrictive legend on certificates evidencing Registrable Securities). This Section  2.10 shall survive the termination of the Agreement so long as any Holder continues to hold Registrable Securities.

Section 2.11. Participation in Qualified Offerings .

(a) No Person may participate in any underwritten offerings hereunder unless such Person (i) agrees to sell such Person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements (provided that any underwriting agreements shall be in customary form, and including provisions with respect to indemnification and contribution in customary form) and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements and these registration rights provided for in this Article II .

(b) The Company agrees that, if requested by the managing underwriter(s) in any Qualified Offering contemplated by this Agreement, (i) it will enter into a customary “lock-up” agreement providing that it will not, directly or indirectly, sell, offer to sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of any securities that are the same or similar to the Registrable Securities being offered (or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities) (subject to customary exceptions) and will not enter into derivative transactions with similar economic effect, and (ii) it will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain agreements from its directors and executive officers regarding the same, in each case, for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the effective date of the registration statement pertaining to such Registrable Securities or from such other date as may be requested by the underwriter(s).

Section 2.12. Suspension of Use of Registration Statement . If the Board of Trustees of the Company determines in its good faith judgment that the filing of a registration statement or the use of any related prospectus (I) would be

 

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materially detrimental to the Company because (x) such action would require the disclosure of material information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or the disclosure of which would materially impede the Company’s ability to consummate a significant transaction, and that the Company is not otherwise required by applicable securities laws or regulations to disclose or (y) the Company is actively undertaking an underwritten offering of its equity securities or is in active discussions with underwriters regarding an underwritten offering of its equity securities and it is reasonably likely that such an underwritten offering will be promptly initiated by the Company, or (II) is prohibited because all reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to the Exchange Act have not been filed by the required date without regard to any extension, or if the consummation of any business combination or acquisition or investment by the Company has occurred or is probable for purposes of Rule 3-05, Rule 3-14 or Article 11 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act or any similar successor rule, upon written notice thereof by the Company to the Holders, then upon the delivery of written notice (a “ Suspension Notice ”) of such determination by the Company to the Holders which shall be signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company certifying thereto, the rights of the Holders to offer, sell or distribute any Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement or to require the Company to take action with respect to the registration or sale of any Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement shall be suspended (a “ Suspension Period ”) until the earliest of (i) the date upon which the Company notifies the Holders in writing that suspension of such rights for the grounds set forth in this Section  2.12 is no longer necessary, (ii) the date upon which copies of any applicable supplemented or amended prospectus is distributed to the Holders (in the case of a suspension pursuant to clause (I)(x) above), (iii) in the case of clause (II), the date upon which the Company has filed such reports or obtained and filed the financial information required by Rule 3-05, Rule 3-14 or Article 11 of Regulation S-X to be included or incorporated by reference, as applicable, in a Shelf Registration Statement, and (iv) the ninetieth (90th) day after delivery of the Suspension Notice; provided , that the Company shall not be entitled to exercise any such right more than one (1) time in any twelve (12) month period or less than thirty (30) days from the termination of the prior such Suspension Period, as applicable; and provided further , that in no event shall the number of days covered by one or more Suspension Periods exceed one hundred and fifty-five (155) days in any three hundred and sixty-five (365)-day period. During any Suspension Period, the Company shall also delay the filing or effectiveness of, and shall not sell or permit a sale under, any registration statement with respect to any equity securities of the Company to be sold by the Company or by any other shareholders of the Company, other than (x) sales pursuant to a Company Offering for the account of the Company, (y) sales under a Company-sponsored dividend reinvestment plan or pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or Form S-8 (or any substitute forms that may be adopted by the Commission) or filed in connection with an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing securityholders, or (z) in the case of a suspension pursuant to clause (I)(y) above, sales by shareholders of the Company not involving an offering pursuant to an effective registration statement sold to an underwriter on a firm commitment basis for reoffering and resale to the public and not involving an offering that is a “bought deal” with one or more investment banks and, in each case of this clause (z), not requiring the Company to undertake any of the types of actions contemplated by clauses (ii), (iii) or (iv) of Section  2.4(k) (as described in this clause (z), a “ Permitted Offering ”). The Company agrees to give the notice under (i) above as promptly as practicable following the date that such suspension of rights is no longer necessary. For the avoidance of doubt, in the case of a suspension pursuant to clause (I)(y) above, the Holders shall be permitted to make a Permitted Offering if other shareholders of the Company are being allowed by the Company to make Permitted Offerings.

Section 2.13. Additional Shares . The Company, at its option, may register under a Shelf Registration Statement and any filings with any state securities commissions filed pursuant to this Agreement, any number of unissued Series A Preferred Shares (and the maximum number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the series A Preferred Shares based on the share cap set forth in the Articles Supplementary), or any Series A Preferred Shares (and the maximum number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the series A Preferred Shares based on the share cap set forth in the Articles Supplementary) owned by any other shareholder or shareholders of the Company; provided that in no event shall the inclusion of such shares on a registration statement reduce the amount offered for the account of the Holders in any offering at the request of the Holders pursuant to Section  2.3 . From and after the date hereof, the Company shall not enter into any agreement granting registration rights to any party with respect to the Company’s securities that would cause a violation of the rights granted to the Holders hereunder. The Company represents and warrants to each Holder that, as of the date of this Agreement, no Person has any registration rights with respect to any securities of the Company.

 

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ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 3.1. Remedies . In addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein and granted by law, including recovery of damages, the Holders shall be entitled to specific performance of the rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

Section 3.2. Amendments and Waivers . The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, in each case without the written consent of the Company and the Holders holding a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities. No failure or delay by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon any breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

Section 3.3. Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally (notice deemed given upon receipt), telecopied (notice deemed given upon confirmation of receipt) or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, such as Federal Express (notice deemed given upon receipt of proof of delivery), to the parties hereto at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified by like notice):

(1) if to any Holder, initially to 2727 North Harwood Street, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75201 or to such other address and to such other Persons as any Holder may hereafter specify in writing; and

(2) if to the Company, initially at 2727 North Harwood Street, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75201, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, or to such other address as the Company may hereafter specify in writing.

Section 3.4. Successors and Assigns; Assignment of Registration Rights . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the parties. Any Holder may assign its rights under this Agreement in whole or in part without the consent of the Company in connection with a transfer of such Holder’s Registrable Securities, but only if the assignment or transfer is permitted by, and not in violation of, the Declaration of Trust, and provided such assignee or transferee agrees in writing to be bound by all the provisions hereof.

Section 3.5. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto.

Section 3.6. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

Section 3.7. Severability . In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 3.8. Entire Agreement . This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties

 

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hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Registrable Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

Section 3.9. Certain Transactions . In the event that any securities are issued in respect of, or in exchange for, or in substitution of the Registrable Securities by reason of any reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, partial or complete liquidation, share dividend, split-up, sale of assets, distribution to shareholders or combination or any other similar change in the Company’s capital structure, the Company agrees that appropriate adjustments shall be made to this Agreement to ensure that the Holders have, immediately after consummation of such transaction, substantially the same rights with respect to the Company or another issuer of securities, as applicable, as they have immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction in respect of the Registrable Securities under this Agreement.

Section 3.10. Headings; Interpretation . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” herein shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation” whether or not they are in fact followed by such word or words of like import.

Section 3.11. Termination . The obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate with respect to a Holder when it no longer holds Registrable Securities, and with respect to all the parties hereto in the event that (i)(x) the Holders holding Series A Preferred Shares constituting Registrable Securities, in the aggregate, own less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares and (ii) all of the Series A Preferred Shares received pursuant to the Purchase Agreement may be sold in one transaction pursuant to Rule 144 (without any volume, manner of sale or other limitations), except, in each case, for any obligations under Sections 2.5 , 2.6 , 2.7 , 2.8 , 2.9 , 2.10 and this Article III .

Section 3.12. Waiver of Jury Trial . The parties hereto (including the Initial Holder and any subsequent Holder) irrevocably waive any right to trial by jury.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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

 

SPIRIT MTA REIT
By:  

/s/ Ricardo Rodriguez

  Name: Ricardo Rodriguez
  Title: Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

INITIAL HOLDER :

SPIRIT REALTY, L.P. ,

a Delaware limited partnership

By: Spirit General OP Holdings, LLC, a Delaware

limited liability company, its General Partner

 

By:  

/s/ Ken Heimlich

  Name: Ken Heimlich
  Title: Executive Vice President

 

[ Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement ]

Exhibit 10.8

SPIRIT MTA REIT

NON-EMPLOYEE TRUSTEE COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Eligible Trustees (as defined below) on the board of trustees (the “ Board ”) of Spirit MTA REIT (the “ Company ”) shall be eligible to receive cash and equity compensation as set forth in this Non-Employee Trustee Compensation Program (this “ Program ”). The cash and equity compensation described in this Program shall be paid or be made, as applicable, automatically and without further action of the Board, to each member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company, Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. (“ Spirit ”) or any of their respective parents, affiliates or subsidiaries (each, an “ Eligible Trustee ”), unless such Eligible Trustee declines the receipt of such cash or equity compensation by written notice to the Company.

This Program shall become effective upon the distribution by Spirit to its shareholders of all of the outstanding common shares of beneficial interest of the Company (the “ Effective Date ”) and shall remain in effect until it is revised or rescinded by further action of the Board. This Program may be amended, modified or terminated by the Board at any time in its sole discretion. No Eligible Trustee shall have any rights hereunder, except with respect to equity awards granted pursuant to Section 2 of this Program.

1.     Cash Compensation .

a.     Annual Retainers . Effective upon the Effective Date, each Eligible Trustee shall be eligible to receive an annual cash retainer of $125,000 for service on the Board.

b.     Meeting Fees . After the occurrence of six meetings of the Board following the Effective Date, each Eligible Trustee will be paid $1,500 for each meeting of the Board attended in person or telephonically.

c.     Payment of Retainers . The annual cash retainers and meeting fees described in Sections 1(a) and 1(b) above shall be earned on a quarterly basis based on a calendar quarter and shall be paid by the Company in arrears not later than thirty days following the end of each calendar quarter, with the final calendar quarter payment being made prior to the end of the applicable fiscal year.

2.     Equity Compensation . Eligible Trustees shall be granted the equity awards described below. The awards described below shall be granted under and shall be subject to the terms and provisions of the Company’s 2018 Incentive Award Plan or any other applicable Company equity incentive plan then-maintained by the Company (such plan, as may be amended from time to time, the “ Equity Plan ”) and may be granted subject to the execution and delivery of award agreements, including attached exhibits, in substantially the forms approved by the Board prior to or in connection with such grants. All applicable terms of the Equity Plan apply to this Program as if fully set forth herein, and all grants of equity awards hereby are subject in all respects to the terms of the Equity Plan. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Program or the Equity Plan, the amount of any cash compensation and/or the grant date fair value (determined as of the date of the grant under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or any successor thereto) of all awards granted under this Program shall be subject to any limitations imposed under the Equity Plan or any other applicable Company agreement, program, policy or plan. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Equity Plan.

a.     Spin-Off Restricted Share Awards . Each Eligible Trustee serving on the Board as of the Effective Date automatically shall be granted a Restricted Share award covering a number of the Company’s common shares of beneficial interest (the “ common shares ”) equal to $375,000, divided

 

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by the volume weighted average price per share of the Company’s common shares over the 30 consecutive trading-day period beginning on (and including) the first trading day following the Effective Date (the “ VWAP Period ”), rounded to the nearest whole common share and subject to adjustment as provided in the Equity Plan. Each such award will be granted on the trading day immediately following the last day of the VWAP Period, and each such award shall vest in full on the earlier of (i) the date of the meeting of the Company’s shareholders immediately following the grant date or (ii) the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date, subject to continued service.

b.     Initial Restricted Share Awards . Each Eligible Trustee who is initially elected or appointed to serve on the Board after the Effective Date automatically shall be granted on such date, a Restricted Share award covering a number of the Company’s common shares equal to $375,000, divided by the closing price per share of the Company’s common shares on such election or appointment date, rounded to the nearest whole common share and subject to adjustment as provided in the Equity Plan. Each such award shall vest in full on the one-year anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued service.

c.     Annual Restricted Share Awards . An Eligible Trustee who is serving on the Board as of the date of the annual meeting of the Company’s shareholders each calendar year beginning with calendar year 2019 automatically shall be granted, on such date, a Restricted Share award covering a number of shares of the Company’s common shares equal to $125,000, divided by the closing price per share of the Company’s common shares on the trading day immediately preceding the applicable grant date, rounded to the nearest whole common share and subject to adjustment as provided in the Equity Plan. Each such award shall vest in full on the earlier of (i) the date of the meeting of the Company’s shareholders immediately following the grant date or (ii) the one-year anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued service.

 

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Exhibit 99.1

 

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Spirit Realty Capital Announces Completion of Spin-Off of SMTA REIT

DALLAS, Texas, June 1, 2018 — Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. (NYSE: SRC) (“Spirit” or the “Company”) announced today that the previously announced spin-off of Spirit MTA REIT has been completed. Shares of Spirit MTA REIT will begin regular trading today on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “SMTA”. SRC common stockholders of record on May 18, 2018 received one share of SMTA common stock for every 10 shares of SRC common stock.

“We are very pleased to have completed this important transaction that we believe will benefit all Spirit shareholders. I would like to thank the entire team at Spirit, especially our accounting and legal staff and our Board of Directors, for their hard work and dedication over the past year,” stated Jackson Hsieh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Spirit. “Spirit now has one of the strongest and most diversified single-tenant portfolios in its sector. With our enhanced operational platform and sector-leading, low levered balance sheet, we are positioned for consistent long term growth.”

As a result of the spin-off, Spirit MTA REIT is now a separate and independent publicly traded real estate investment trust. Spirit MTA REIT owns, directly and indirectly, the assets that collateralize Master Trust 2014 (previously part of Spirit’s asset-backed securitization program), all the properties leased by Shopko Retail Shops Holding Corp. and certain of its affiliates, as well as certain other assets. Spirit will continue to provide asset and property management services to Spirit MTA REIT.

“SMTA offers investors a differentiated opportunity to invest in a preeminent net-lease master trust portfolio, with a highly focused strategy to monetize non-core assets, optimize and grow the value of the master trust and maximize cash flow distributions to stockholders. SMTA will also benefit from an experienced, aligned asset and property manager in Spirit, and our experienced independent board of directors,” stated Ricardo Rodriguez, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Spirit MTA REIT.

ABOUT SPIRIT REALTY

Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. (NYSE: SRC) is a premier net-lease real estate investment trust that primarily invests in high-quality, operationally essential real estate, subject to long-term, net leases. Over the past decade, Spirit has become an industry leader and owner of income-producing, strategically located retail, industrial, office and data center properties.

As of March 31, 2018, our diversified portfolio was comprised of 2,446 properties, including properties securing mortgage loans made by the Company. Our properties, with an aggregate gross leasable area of approximately 48.3 million square feet, are leased to approximately 417 tenants across 49 states and 32 industries.

About SMTA REIT

Spirit MTA REIT (NYSE: SMTA) is a net-lease real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in Dallas, Texas. SMTA owns one of the largest, most diversified and seasoned commercial real estate backed


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master funding vehicles. Our strategy relies on the disposition of non-core properties, disciplined acquisitions, proactive portfolio management and return of capital to shareholders. SMTA is managed by Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. (NYSE: SRC), one of the largest publicly traded triple net-lease REITs.

SPIRIT REALTY Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “expect,” “plan,” “will,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “believe,” “guidance,” and other similar expressions that do not relate to historical matters. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, Spirit’s continued ability to source new investments, risks associated with using debt to fund Spirit’s business activities (including refinancing and interest rate risks, changes in interest rates and/or credit spreads, changes in the price of our common stock, and conditions of the equity and debt capital markets, generally), unknown liabilities acquired in connection with acquired properties or interests in real-estate related entities, general risks affecting the real estate industry and local real estate markets (including, without limitation, the market value of our properties, the inability to enter into or renew leases at favorable rates, portfolio occupancy varying from our expectations, dependence on tenants’ financial condition and operating performance, and competition from other developers, owners and operators of real estate), the financial performance of our retail tenants and the demand for retail space, particularly with respect to challenges being experienced by general merchandise retailers, potential fluctuations in the consumer price index, risks associated with our failure to maintain our status as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and other additional risks discussed in Spirit’s most recent filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in Spirit MTA REIT’s registration statement on Form 10, as amended. Spirit and Spirit MTA REIT expressly disclaim any responsibility to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SMTA REIT Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “expect,” “plan,” “will,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “believe,” “guidance,” and other similar expressions that do not relate to historical matters. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, SMTA REIT’s ability to realize its asset disposition plan by selling down assets leased to Shopko; SMTA REIT’s significant leverage, which may expose it to the risk of default under its debt obligations; risks associated with using debt to fund SMTA REIT’s business activities (including its ability to use Master Trust 2014, an asset-backed securitization trust, as its main financing vehicle, changes in interest rates and conditions of the debt capital markets, generally); SMTA REIT’s dependence on its external manager, Spirit Realty, L.P., to conduct its business and achieve its investment objectives; SMTA REIT’s continued ability to source new investments; unknown liabilities acquired in connection with acquired properties or interests in real-estate related entities; general


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risks affecting the real estate industry and local real estate markets (including, without limitation, the market value of SMTA REIT’s properties, the inability to enter into or renew leases at favorable rates, portfolio occupancy varying from expectations, dependence on tenants’ financial condition and operating performance, and competition from other developers, owners and operators of real estate); the financial performance of SMTA REIT’s tenants and the demand for traditional retail and restaurant space; potential fluctuations in the consumer price index; risks associated with SMTA REIT’s failure to maintain its status as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and other additional risks discussed in SMTA REIT’s most recent filings with the SEC, including its registration statement on Form 10, as amended. SMTA REIT expressly disclaim any responsibility to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Investor Contacts:

Spirit Realty Capital

(972) 476-1403

InvestorRelations@spiritrealty.com

Spirit MTA REIT

(972) 476-1409

smtainvestorrelations@spiritrealty.com