RIO VISTA GP LLC
AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2004
THE MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS DESCRIBED IN THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR
INVESTMENT AND HAVE BEEN ISSUED PURSUANT TO A CLAIM OF EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR THE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREIN, WITHOUT SUCH
REGISTRATION, SAID MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED, EXCEPT ON DELIVERY TO THE COMPANY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL
SATISFACTORY TO THE BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE COMPANY THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT
REQUIRED FOR THE TRANSFER, OR SUCH OTHER EVIDENCE SATISFACTORY TO THE BOARD OF
MANAGERS THAT THE TRANSFER IS NOT IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR
ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER OF
THESE SECURITIES IS ALSO SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN ARTICLE 9 OF
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THIS DOCUMENT.
RIO VISTA GP LLC
AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT of Rio Vista
GP LLC is dated as of September 16, 2004.
WHEREAS, the Members wish to enter into this Agreement to provide for,
among other things, the management of the business and affairs of the Company,
the allocation of profits and losses among the Members, the respective rights
and obligations of the Members to each other and to the Company, and certain
other matters.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Members agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
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For purposes of this Agreement, certain capitalized terms have specifically
defined meanings that are either set forth herein or in Exhibit 1 which is
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attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
ARTICLE 2
FORMATION AND PURPOSE
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2.1 Formation. The Company was formed pursuant to the Act and the Members
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hereby ratify the filing of the Company's Certificate of Formation with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 10, 2003. This Agreement
amends and restates the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company dated
July 10, 2003, in its entirety. The rights and liabilities of the Members shall
be determined pursuant to the Act and this Agreement. To the extent that the
rights or obligations of any Member are different by reason of any provision
of this Agreement than they would be in the absence of such provision, this
Agreement shall, to the extent permitted by the Act, control.
2.2 Name. The name of the Company is Rio Vista GP LLC. The business of
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the Company may be conducted under that name or, upon compliance with applicable
laws, any other name that the Board of Managers deems appropriate or advisable.
The Board of Managers shall file, or shall cause to be filed, any assumed name
certificates and similar filings, and any amendments thereto, that the Board of
Managers considers appropriate or advisable.
2.3 Registered Office and Agent. The registered office required to be
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maintained by the Company in the State of Delaware pursuant to the Act shall
initially be located at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ , ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ of
▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇. The name and address of the registered agent of the
Company pursuant to the Act shall initially be Capitol Services, IncThe Company
may, upon compliance with the applicable provisions of the Act, change its
registered office or registered agent from time to time at the sole discretion
of the Board of Managers.
2.4 Term. The term of the Company shall continue indefinitely unless
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terminated as hereinafter provided.
2.5 Purpose. The Company is formed for the object and purpose of, and the
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nature of the business to be conducted and promoted by the Company is, engaging
in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be
formed under the Act and engaging in any and all activities necessary,
advisable, convenient or incidental thereto.
2.6 Specific Powers. The Company shall have the power and authority to
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take any and all actions necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental
or convenient to or for the furtherance of the purpose set forth in Section 2.5.
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2.7 Certificate. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Jr. and ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ are hereby
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designated as authorized persons to execute, deliver and file any amendments or
restatements of the Certificate, and any other certificates and any amendments
or restatements thereof necessary for the Company to qualify to do business in a
jurisdiction in which the Company may wish to conduct business.
2.8 Ownership of Company Property; Waiver of Partition. All Company
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property, both real and personal, presently owned or hereafter acquired by the
Company, shall be owned by the Company and held in the name of the Company.
Each Member expressly waives any right such Member might individually have to
require a partition thereof or a dissolution of the Company, except as otherwise
specifically provided herein.
ARTICLE 3
COMPANY AND CAPITAL
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3.1 Members. The names and addresses of the Members of the Company and
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each Member's Capital Contribution shall be listed on Schedule I attached to
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this Agreement, as from time to time amended and supplemented in accordance with
the provisions of this Agreement.
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Schedule I lists the Members of the Company, their Capital Contributions,
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Capital Accounts and the number of Units held by each of them as of the
Effective Date.
3.2 Capital Accounts. A separate account (each a "Capital Account") shall
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be established and maintained for each Member which shall be increased by (a)
the amount of cash and the Fair Market Value of any other property contributed
by such Member to the Company as a Capital Contribution (net of liabilities
secured by such property or that the Company is considered to assume or take the
property subject to pursuant to Code Section 752), (b) the services rendered by
any Member in the amount that the Company is entitled to take a compensation
deduction for federal income tax purposes, (c) such Member's share of the Net
Profit of the Company and (d) any amount required pursuant to the terms of any
option or other equity incentive agreement entered into by the Company, and
shall be reduced by (y) the amount of cash and the Fair Market Value of any
other property distributed to such Member (net of liabilities secured by such
property or that the Member is considered to assume or take the property subject
to pursuant to Code Section 752) and (z) such Member's share of the Net Loss of
the Company. It is the intention of the Members that the Capital Accounts of
the Company be maintained in accordance with the provisions of Section 704(b) of
the Code and the Regulations thereunder and that this Agreement be interpreted
consistently therewith.
3.3 Return of Capital Contributions. No Member shall have the right to
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demand a return of all or any part of its Capital Contributions, and any return
of the Capital Contributions to any Member shall be made solely from the assets
of the Company and only in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. No
interest shall be paid to any Member with respect to its Capital Contributions.
Each Member shall look solely to the assets of the Company for the return of its
Capital Contributions, and, if the assets of the Company are insufficient to
return its Capital Contributions, it shall have no recourse against any other
Member for that purpose.
3.4 Additional Members. Except to the extent that the provisions in
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Article 10 shall have been complied with in connection with a Transfer pursuant
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to Article 9, no Person shall be admitted as a Member of the Company unless and
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until the following conditions have been satisfied:
(a) the Board of Managers shall have consented in writing to the
admission of such Person as a Member; and
(b) such other instruments, documents, certificates and opinions as
the Board of Managers deems necessary or desirable for admission
for such Person, including a counterpart of or a joinder to this
Agreement, shall have been executed and delivered.
3.5 Units. The Interests of the Members in the Company shall be
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represented by Units. The Board of Managers may, but is not required to, adopt
forms of, and issue to Members, certificates representing the Units. The Units
shall be deemed "securities" within the meaning of Section 8-103(c) of the
Uniform Commercial Code.
3.6 Management Units. The Board of Managers may from time to time in its
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sole discretion (a) issue Units, or reserve Units to be issued upon the exercise
of options granted, to
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employees, consultants, managers or independent contractors of the Company or
its Affiliates, whether in connection with an investment by such Person or
otherwise, and (b) issue options to purchase Units pursuant to the Company's
Unit option plans or otherwise to employees, consultants, managers or
independent contractors of the Company or its Affiliates, or other Persons the
Board of Managers deems appropriate, all upon terms, conditions, vesting rights
and consideration, if any, as the Board of Managers deems appropriate; provided,
however, that the aggregate number of Units issued or reserved for options
pursuant to this Section 3.6 shall at no time exceed 10,000 Units. The terms on
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which any Units are issued pursuant to this Section 3.6 shall be determined by
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the Board of Managers.
3.7 Additional Units; Other Securities. In addition to Units permitted to
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be issued under Section 3.6, the Board of Managers, subject to the terms and
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conditions of this Section 3.7, may issue additional Units after the Effective
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Date to such Persons (including but not limited to the Members or their
Affiliates) and for such consideration as the Board of Managers deems
appropriate in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement. The
terms and conditions of any Units issued pursuant to this Section 3.7 shall be
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determined by the Board of Managers and such Units may consist of one or more
classes of Units possessing unique rights and preferences. The Board of
Managers is also authorized to cause the issuance of any other type of security
of the Company from time to time on terms and conditions established at the
discretion of the Board of Managers. Such securities may specifically include,
without limitation, unsecured and secured debt obligations of the Company, debt
obligations of the Company convertible into Units, options or warrants to
purchase any Units or any combination of any of the foregoing. The Board of
Managers shall do all things necessary to comply with the Act and is authorized
and directed to do all things it deems necessary or advisable in connection with
any such future issuance of Units, including compliance with any statute, rule,
regulation or guideline of any federal, state or other governmental agency.
3.7.1 Preemptive Rights. The Company hereby grants to each holder of
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Units the preemptive right to purchase up to its pro rata share of New
Securities (as defined in this Section 3.7.1) which the Company may, from
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time to time, propose to sell and issue. A Unitholder's pro rata share, for
purposes of this preemptive right, is the ratio of the number of Units
owned by such Unitholder immediately prior to the issuance of New
Securities, assuming exercise of any convertible securities, rights,
options or warrants to acquire Units of the Company held by said holder, to
the total number of Units outstanding immediately prior to the issuance of
New Securities (minus any Units held by Management Members excluded
pursuant to Section 3.7.1(e)), assuming exercise of all outstanding
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convertible securities, rights, options and warrants to acquire Units of
the Company.
(a) "New Securities" shall mean any Units of the Company and rights,
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options or warrants to purchase such Units, and securities of any
type whatsoever that are convertible into Units; provided that
the term "New Securities" does not include (i) issuances pursuant
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to Section 3.6; (ii) any issuance of additional Units to all
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holders of Units as a distribution thereon, pro rata; (iii) any
issuance of securities pursuant to the acquisition of a business
entity or business segment of such business entity, in each case
not Affiliated with the Company, by the Company by merger,
consolidation,
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conversion, reorganization, purchase of shares, purchase of
substantially all of the assets, or similar transaction; (iv) any
issuance to vendors, customers, suppliers, universities,
consultants, financial advisors or to other persons in similar
commercial situations with the Company, in each case which are
not Affiliated with the Company; (v) any issuance of securities
in connection with obtaining lease or other debt financing or
other borrowings, whether issued to a financial institution,
lessor, guarantor or any other Person (collectively, "Equity
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Kickers"); provided, however, with respect to the issuance of an
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Equity Kicker to a Member or its Affiliate, the foregoing
exclusion to the definition of New Securities shall only apply
if, in connection with a transaction to which Section 3.7.2
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applies, Section 3.7.2 has been complied with; (vi) any issuance
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in connection with partnering transactions, joint venture
arrangements or acquiring a product or service in each case
involving a party not Affiliated with the Company or any of its
Members; (vii) issuance of securities upon the exercise or
conversion of any security issued in compliance with Section 3.7;
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and (viii) any right, option or warrant to acquire any security
convertible into the securities included in subsections (i)
through (vii) above.
(b) In the event the Company proposes to undertake an issuance of New
Securities, the Board of Managers shall give each holder of Units
written notice of its intention describing the type of New
Securities and their price and the general terms upon which the
Company proposes to issue the same. Each such holder of Units
shall have 30 days after any such notice is mailed to agree to
purchase all or any portion of such Unitholder's pro rata share
of such New Securities for the price and upon the terms specified
in the notice by giving written notice to the Board of Managers
and stating therein the quantity of New Securities to be
purchased.
(c) In the event such holder of Units fails to exercise its
preemptive right pursuant to Section 3.7.1(b) within said 30 day
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period, the Company shall have 120 days thereafter to sell the
New Securities respecting which the Unitholder's preemptive right
option set forth in this Section 3.7.1 was not exercised, at a
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price and upon terms no more favorable to the purchasers thereof
than specified in the Board of Managers' notice to Unitholders
pursuant to Section 3.7.1(b). In the event the Company has not
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sold the New Securities within such 120 day period, the Company
shall not thereafter issue or sell any New Securities without
first again offering such securities to the Unitholders in the
manner provided in Section 3.7.1(b) above.
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(d) The preemptive right granted under this Agreement shall expire
upon, and shall not be applicable to, any sale of Units of the
Company to the public effected pursuant to a registration
statement filed with, and declared effective by, the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act.
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3.7.2 Loans, Advances and Guarantees.
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(a) In the event that the Board of Managers determines in its sole
discretion that the Company requires funds, the Board of Managers
shall be authorized, at any time and from time to time, to cause
the Company to borrow additional funds sufficient for such
purposes and upon such terms as the Board of Managers may deem
appropriate. Moreover, the Board of Managers shall be authorized
to permit one or more Members or their Affiliates to guaranty any
such borrowed funds. In addition, the Board of Managers shall be
authorized to issue Equity Kickers in connection with borrowing
of funds or guarantees.
(b) Any such loans and guarantees may be provided by third parties or
by one or more Members or their Affiliates. Any loan or guaranty
provided by a Member shall not be considered contributions to the
capital of the Company and shall not increase the Capital Account
of the lending or guarantying Member.
(c) If the Board of Managers desires to request a loan or a several
but not joint guaranty from the Members (or any Member or their
Affiliates), it shall give the Members written notice of such
request, which notice shall include, with respect to any loan,
the amount, interest rate, priority and repayment terms with
respect to other indebtedness of the proposed loan and, with
respect to a several but not joint guaranty, the terms upon which
such guaranty will be given (and in both cases details of any
proposed Equity Kicker associated therewith). The Members shall
have 30 days from receipt of such notice to elect to make all or
a portion of the requested loan or a several but not joint
guaranty (and receive a pro rata portion of the associated Equity
Kicker) in the amounts mutually agreed upon by the Board of
Managers and the participating Members. Unless otherwise agreed
by the participating Members, any loan or a several but not joint
guaranty made by the participating Members to the Company (and
any associated Equity Kicker) will be made pro rata among the
participating Members in accordance with their respective
ownership of Units then outstanding. Notice of any such election
to participate shall be given to the Board of Managers within
such 30 day period; failure to timely respond shall be deemed to
be a decision by a Member that it does not desire to participate
in such guaranty, loan or advance. The interest accruing on any
such resulting loan and the expenses of such loan or guaranty,
including any origination fee, shall be paid and charged as an
expense of the Company. For each loan made by a lending Member to
the Company, the Company shall execute a note payable to the
lending Member, upon the terms, priority with respect to other
indebtedness and in the principal sum determined by the Board of
Managers and the lending Member. For each guaranty made by a
guarantying Member on behalf of the Company, the Company shall
execute a reimbursement agreement in
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favor of the guarantying Members on the terms determined by the
Board of Managers and the guarantying Members.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Management Members shall not have
the right to participate in the loans or guarantees contemplated
in this Section 3.7.2, unless expressly so permitted by the Board
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of Managers.
3.8 Issuance Notice. The Board of Managers shall promptly prepare a
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revised Schedule I, which shall be deemed to replace the old Schedule I and
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constitute an amendment of this Agreement approved by all of the Members, to
reflect the issuance after the Effective Date of additional Units pursuant to
Section 3.6 or 3.7. The Board of Managers shall give notice to all the Members
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promptly after the issuance of additional Units pursuant to Section 3.6 or 3.7
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informing the Members of such issuance or redemption and the revised number of
Units issued and outstanding following such issuance, and enclosing a copy of
Schedule I hereto, as revised to reflect such transaction. The revised Schedule
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I shall also set forth Capital Contributions, if any, made in consideration for
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such Units.
3.9 Preemptive Rights. Other than as set forth in this Agreement, no
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Unitholder shall have any preemptive right with respect to (a) additional
Capital Contributions to the Company, (b) the issuance or sale of Units or other
interests in the Company, (c) the issuance of any obligation, evidence of
indebtedness or other interest of or in the Company convertible into or
exchangeable for, or carrying or accompanied by any rights to receive, purchase
or subscribe to, any Units, (d) the issuance or any right of subscription to, or
right to receive, any warrant or option for the purchase of any Units, or (e)
the issuance or sale of any other securities that may be issued or sold by the
Company.
ARTICLE 4
STATUS OF MEMBERS
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4.1 Limited Liability. No Member shall be bound by or personally liable
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for the expenses, liabilities, or obligations of the Company arising in
contract, tort or otherwise, each of which is solely an obligation of the
Company. The Members shall not be required to make any additional contributions
to the Company. In no event shall any Member be required to make up any deficit
balance in such Member's Capital Account upon the liquidation of the Company or
otherwise. Except as provided in this Agreement, no Members shall be personally
liable, directly or indirectly, by way of indemnification, contribution,
assessment, or otherwise for an obligation solely by reason of being or acting
as a Member.
4.2 Return of Distributions of Capital. Except as otherwise expressly
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required by law, a Member, in its capacity as such, shall have no liability for
obligations or liabilities of the Company in excess of (a) the amount of its
Capital Contributions actually made to the Company, (b) its share of any assets
and undistributed profits of the Company, and (c) to the extent required by the
Act, the amount of any Distributions wrongfully distributed to it. Except as
required by the Act, no Member shall be obligated by this Agreement to return
any Distribution to the Company or pay the amount of any Distribution for the
account of the Company or to any creditor of the Company. However, if any court
of competent jurisdiction holds that, notwithstanding the provisions of this
Agreement, any Member is obligated to return or pay any
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part of any Distribution, the obligation shall be that of such Member alone and
not of any Manager or any other Member. The amount of any Distribution returned
to the Company by a Member or paid by a Member for the account of the Company or
to a creditor of the Company shall be added to the account or accounts from
which it was subtracted when it was distributed to the Member.
ARTICLE 5
DESIGNATION, RIGHTS, AUTHORITIES, POWERS,
RESPONSIBILITIES, AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
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5.1 Management by Board of Managers. Subject to the provisions of the Act
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and any limitations in this Agreement as to action to be authorized or approved
by the Members, all management powers over the business and affairs of the
Company shall be exclusively vested in a board of managers (the "Board of
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Managers"). Collectively, members of the Board of Managers (each, a "Manager")
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shall constitute "managers" of the Company within the meaning of the Act. The
Board of Managers on the Effective Date shall be the Persons set forth in
Exhibit 5.1 hereto. The Board of Managers may delegate certain of its powers to
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officers (the "Officers"), who shall be agents of the Company. The Members, by
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virtue of their status as members of the Company, shall not have any management
power over the business and affairs of the Company or actual or apparent
authority to enter into contracts on behalf of, or to otherwise bind, the
Company. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the
authority and functions of the Board of Managers and of the Officers shall be
identical to the authority and functions of the board of directors and officers,
respectively, of a corporation organized under the Delaware General Corporation
Law. Thus, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the
business and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction of the
Board of Managers, and the day-to-day activities of the Company shall be
conducted on the Company's behalf by the Officers. In addition to the powers
that now or hereafter can be granted to managers under the Act and to all other
powers granted under any other provision of this Agreement, the Board of
Managers (subject to Section 5.2 of this Agreement) and the Officers (subject to
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Section 5.3 of this Agreement and the direction of the Board of Managers) shall
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have full power and authority to do all things on such terms as they, in their
Sole Discretion, may deem necessary or appropriate to conduct, or cause to be
conducted, the business and affairs of the Company.
5.2 Board of Managers.
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(a) Number and Term.
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The Board of Managers shall consist of a number of Managers determined
by a Majority Interest from time to time; provided; that the Board of Managers
may not consists of less than three Managers. Managers need not be Members.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.2(d), each Manager shall be elected at
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the annual meeting of the Members, and the individuals receiving the most votes
at such meeting shall be elected. No decrease in the number of Managers shall
have the effect of shortening the term of office of any incumbent Manager.
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(b) Chairman.
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The Board of Managers shall select one Manager to serve as the
Chairman of the Board of Managers, and the Board of Managers shall elect
one other Manager to be the Vice Chairman. The Chairman shall preside at
all meetings of the Members and the Board of Managers. The Vice Chairman
shall perform all the duties of the Chairman in the absence or disability
of the Chairman. The Chairman and Vice Chairman shall have such other
powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time
by the Board of Managers.
(c) Quorum and Manner of Action.
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At all meetings of the Board of Managers, a majority of the total
number of Managers shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business; and the act of a majority of the Managers present at any meeting
at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Managers,
except as otherwise provided by Law or this Agreement. If at any meeting of
the Board of Managers there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority
of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum
is obtained, and no further notice thereof need be given other than by
announcement at such adjourned meeting. Attendance by a Manager at a
meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where a
Manager attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the
beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business on the ground
that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
(d) Vacancies.
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Except as otherwise provided by law or this Agreement, in the case of
any increase in the authorized number of Managers or of any vacancy in the
Board of Managers, however created, the additional Manager or Managers may
be elected or, as the case may be, the vacancy or vacancies may be filled
by majority vote of the Managers remaining on the whole Board of Managers
although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining Manager. Any Manager
elected or chosen as provided herein shall serve until the first to occur
of (i) the expiration of the term to which such Manager is elected or
appointed, (ii) the election and qualification of the Manager's successor,
or (iii) the Manager's resignation or removal.
(e) Resignations.
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A Manager may resign at any time upon written notice of resignation to
the Company. Any resignation shall be effective immediately unless a
certain effective date is specified therein, in which event it will be
effective upon such date and acceptance of any resignation shall not be
necessary to make it effective.
(f) Removals.
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Any Manager or the entire Board of Managers may be removed, with or
without cause, and another person or persons may be elected to serve for
the remainder of his or their term by a Majority Interest. In case any
vacancy so created shall not be filled by the
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Members, such vacancy may be filled by the remaining Managers as provided
in Section 5.2(d).
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(g) Annual Meetings.
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The annual meeting of the Board of Managers shall be held, if a quorum
be present, for the purpose of organization and transaction of any business
that might be transacted at a regular meeting thereof, and no notice of
such meeting shall be necessary. If a quorum is not present, such annual
meeting may be held at any other time or place that may be specified in a
notice given in the manner provided in Section 5.2(i) for special meetings
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of the Board of Managers or in a waiver of notice thereof.
(h) Regular Meetings.
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Regular meetings of the Board of Managers may be held without notice
at such places and times as shall be determined from time to time by
resolution of the Board of Managers. Except as otherwise provided by law or
this Agreement, any business may be transacted at any regular meeting of
the Board of Managers.
(i) Special Meetings.
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Special meetings of the Board of Managers may be called by the Chief
Executive Officer, or shall be called by the Secretary on the written
request of any Manager stating the purpose or purposes of such meeting.
Notices of special meetings shall be given to each Manager not later than
three days before the day the meeting is to be held. No notice of any
meeting need be given to any Manager who files a written waiver of notice
thereof with the Secretary either before or after the meeting. Neither the
business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need
be specified in any notice or written waiver of notice, unless so required
by this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided by Law or this Agreement,
any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.
(j) Organization of Meetings.
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At any meeting of the Board of Managers, business shall be transacted
in such order and manner as the Chairman may from time to time determine.
(k) Place of Meetings.
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The Board of Managers may hold their meetings at any office or offices
of the Company, or at any other place as they may from time to time by
resolution determine.
(l) Compensation of Managers; Reimbursement of Expenses.
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The Managers shall not receive any compensation for their services.
Managers shall be reimbursed by the Company for their reasonable traveling,
food, lodging and other expenses incurred in attending meetings in
accordance with policies approved from time to time by the Board of
Managers.
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(m) Action by Written Consent.
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Unless otherwise restricted by Law or this Agreement, any action
required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Managers
may be taken without a meeting if the required number of such Managers
consent thereto in writing and the writing or writings are filed with the
minutes of proceedings of the Board of Managers. If any action is taken by
written consent to which less than all of the Managers have consented, the
consenting Managers shall promptly provide notice of such action to the
other Managers.
(n) Participation in Meetings by Telephone.
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The Managers may participate in a meeting of the Board of Managers by
means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means
of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and
participation in a meeting in such manner shall constitute presence in
person at such meeting.
5.3 Officers; Agents. The Board of Managers by resolution or vote of the
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Board of Managers shall have the power to appoint agents (who may be referred to
as officers) to act for the Company with such titles, if any, as the Board of
Managers deems appropriate and to delegate to such officers or agents such of
the powers as are granted to the Board of Managers hereunder, including the
power to execute documents on behalf of the Company, as the Board of Managers
may in its sole discretion determine. The officers or agents so appointed may
include persons holding titles such as Chief Executive Officer, President,
Executive Vice President, Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief
Financial Officer, Treasurer or Controller. Unless the authority of the agent
designated as the officer in question is limited in the document appointing such
officer or is otherwise specified by the Board of Managers, any officer so
appointed shall have the same authority to act for the Company as a
corresponding officer of a Delaware corporation would have to act for a Delaware
corporation in the absence of a specific delegation of authority and as more
specifically set forth herein; provided, however, that unless such power is
specifically delegated to the officer in question either for a specific
transaction or generally, no such officer shall have the power to lease or
acquire real property, to borrow money, to issue notes, debentures, securities,
equity or other interests of or in the Company, to make investments in (other
than the investment of surplus cash in the ordinary course of business) or to
acquire securities of any Person, to give guarantees or indemnities, to merge,
liquidate or dissolve the Company or to sell or lease all or any substantial
portion of the assets of the Company. The Board of Managers, in its sole
discretion, may by vote or resolution of the Board of Managers ratify any act
previously taken by an officer or agent acting on behalf of the Company.
5.3.1 Officers. Officers and agents of the Company, if any, shall be
--------
appointed by the Board of Managers from time to time in its discretion. An
officer may be but none need be a Member or Manager. Any two or more
offices may be held by the same person. Any officer may be required by the
Board of Managers to secure the faithful performance of the officer's
duties to the Company by giving bond in such amount and with sureties or
otherwise as the Board of Managers may determine.
-11-
5.3.2 Designations and Delegations. Officers may be designated by
------------------------------
the Board of Managers at any time. At any time or from time to time the
Board of Managers may delegate to any officer their power to elect or
appoint any other officer or any agents.
5.3.3 Tenure. Each officer shall retain its authority at the
------
pleasure of the Board of Managers, or the officer by whom such officer was
appointed or by the officer who then holds agent appointive power.
5.3.4 Resignation; Removal; Vacancies. Any officer or agent may
---------------------------------
resign by delivering a written letter of resignation to the Chairman, if
any, the President, the Secretary or to the Board of Managers, which
resignation shall not require acceptance and, unless otherwise specified in
the letter of resignation, shall be effective upon receipt. The Board of
Managers or the officer appointing the officer or agent may remove any
officer or agent at any time without giving any reason for such removal and
no officer or agent shall be entitled to any damages by virtue of such
officer's removal from office or such position as agent. If any office
becomes vacant, the position may be filled by the Board of Managers or in
such other manner as the officer in question was appointed.
5.3.5 President and Vice Presidents. Unless the Board of Managers
--------------------------------
otherwise specifies, the President shall be the chief executive officer and
shall have direct charge of all business operations of the Company and,
subject to the control of the Board of Managers, shall have general charge
and supervision of the business of the Company. Any vice presidents shall
have duties as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of
Managers or the President.
5.3.6 Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers. Unless the Board of
-------------------------------------
Managers otherwise specifies, the Treasurer shall be the chief financial
officer of the Company and shall be in charge of its funds and valuable
papers, and shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated
from time to time by the Board of Managers or the President. Any Assistant
Treasurers shall have such duties and powers as shall be designated from
time to time by the Board of Managers, the President or the Treasurer.
5.3.7 Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The Secretary shall
--------------------------------------
record all proceedings of the Members and the Board of Managers in a book
or series of books to be kept therefor and shall file therein all actions
by written consent of the Board of Managers. In the absence of the
Secretary from any meeting, an Assistant Secretary, or if there be none or
no Assistant Secretary is present, a temporary secretary chosen at the
meeting, shall record the proceedings thereof. The Secretary shall keep or
cause to be kept records, which shall contain the names and record
addresses of all Members. The Secretary shall have such other duties and
powers as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Managers or
the President. Any Assistant Secretaries shall have such duties and powers
as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Managers, the
President or the Secretary.
5.4 Right of Third Parties to Rely on Authority of Board of Managers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, no lender
or purchaser of Company assets shall be required to verify any representation by
the Board of Managers or any
-12-
officer of the Company duly authorized by resolution of the Board of Managers as
to the extent of the interest in the assets of the Company which the Board of
Managers is entitled to encumber, sell or otherwise use, and any such lender or
purchaser shall be entitled to rely exclusively on the representations of the
Board of Managers or any officer of the Company duly authorized by resolution of
the Board of Managers as to its individual authority to enter into such
financing or sale arrangements and shall be entitled to deal with the Board of
Managers or any officer of the Company duly authorized by resolution of the
Board of Managers as if they were the sole party in interest therein both
legally and beneficially.
5.5 Certain Limitations on Board of Managers and Members Activities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
5.5.1 Unanimous Consent Required. Notwithstanding any provision in
----------------------------
this Agreement to the contrary, the Board of Managers and Members shall not
do any of the following, and none of the following shall be an act of the
Board of Managers or the Members, without, in each instance, obtaining the
consent of all of the Members:
(a) effect or cause to be effected any Transfer (including any
indirect Transfer by way of a Sale of the Company) of the
Incentive Distribution Rights (as defined in the First Amended
and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Rio Vista Energy
Partners L.P.) owned or subsequently acquired by the Company; and
(b) take any action to amend or modify any of the provisions of this
Section 5.5.1 or any other provision of this Agreement that would
-------------
affect the provisions, applicability or effect of this Section
-------
5.5.1 in any way.
-----
5.5.2 Supermajority Consent Required. The Board of Managers shall
--------------------------------
not do any of the following without, in each instance, obtaining the
consent of the Members holding 75% of the Units:
(a) do any act in contradiction of this Agreement;
(b) do any act which would make it impossible to carry on the
ordinary business of the Company (except for a disposition of
Company assets);
(c) confess a judgment against the Company; or
(d) possess Company assets, or assign the rights in specific Company
assets for other than a Company purpose.
5.6 Transactions with the Members or Affiliates. The Company is expressly
-------------------------------------------
permitted to enter into transactions, agreements or modifications to
transactions or agreements with any Member or any Affiliates thereof or of the
Company, provided that such transactions, agreements or modifications to
transactions or agreements are (a) on terms taken as a whole not less favorable
to the Company than the terms taken as a whole which could reasonably be
obtained (as determined in good faith by the Board of Managers) from an
unrelated party, or (b) approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board of Managers, even though the disinterested
members may not constitute a quorum.
-13-
5.7 Specific Limitations. Except as provided in this Agreement, no Member
--------------------
shall have the right or power to: (a) withdraw or reduce its Capital
Contribution except as provided by law, (b) make voluntary Capital Contributions
or contribute any property to the Company other than cash, (c) bring an action
for partition against the Company or any Company assets, (d) cause the
termination and dissolution of the Company, or (e) upon the return of its
Capital Contribution require that property other than cash be distributed in
return for its Capital Contribution. Each Member hereby irrevocably waives any
and all rights that it may have to maintain an action for partition of any of
the Company's property. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, no
Member shall have priority over any other Member either as to the return of its
Capital Contribution or as to Net Profit, Net Loss, or Distributions. Other
than upon the termination and dissolution of the Company as provided by this
Agreement, there has been no time agreed upon when or if all or any portion of
the Capital Contribution of any Member will be returned.
5.8 Meetings of Members.
---------------------
(a) Annual Meetings.
----------------
Annual meetings of the Members may be held on such date and at such
time as shall be determined by the Board of Managers. Notice of the
establishment of such annual meeting, and of any amendments thereto, shall
be given to each Member at least 10 Days prior to the next annual meeting.
No other notices of such annual meetings need be given.
(b) Special Meetings.
-----------------
Special meetings of the Members may be called by any Member. Any such
meeting shall be held on such date and at such time as the Member calling
such meeting shall specify in the notice of the meeting, which shall be
delivered to each other Member at least 10 Days prior to such meeting.
Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, such special
meeting need be specified in the notice (or waiver of notice) of such
meeting.
(c) Quorum.
------
A Majority Interest (represented either in person or by proxy) shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the
Members. With respect to any matter, except any matter requiring the
consent of all the Members under Section 5.5.1, an act of a Majority
--------------
Interest shall be the act of the Members. Each Member may, with respect to
any vote, consent or approval that he is entitled to grant pursuant to this
Agreement, grant or withhold such vote, consent or approval in his Sole
Discretion.
(d) Place of Meeting.
------------------
Any meeting of the Members shall be held at the principal place of
business of the Company, unless the notice of such meeting specifies a
different place.
(e) Waiver of Notice Through Attendance.
---------------------------------------
-14-
Attendance of a Member at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of
notice of such meeting, except where such Member attends the meeting for
the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the
ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
(f) Proxies.
-------
A Member may vote at any meeting by a written proxy executed by that
Member and delivered to another Member. A proxy shall be revocable unless
it is stated to be irrevocable.
(g) Action by Written Consent.
----------------------------
Any action required or permitted to be taken at such meeting may be
taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote if a
consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is
signed by a Majority Interest. The Company shall give prompt written notice
to the non-consenting Members of any action of Members taken by less than
unanimous written consent of the Members.
(h) Meetings by Telephone.
-----------------------
The Members may participate in and hold any meeting by means of
conference telephone, video conference or similar communications equipment
by means of which all Persons participating in the meeting can hear each
other.
ARTICLE 6
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS
--------------------------------------
6.1 Books and Records. The Company shall maintain at its principal office
-----------------
all of the following:
(a) a current list of the full name and last known address of each
Member together with information regarding the amount of cash and
a description and the Book Value of any other property or
services contributed by each Member and which each Member has
agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on which each
Member became a Member of the Company;
(b) a copy of the Certificate and this Agreement, including any and
all amendments to either thereof, or any amendments that have
been executed;
(c) copies of the Company's federal, state, and local income tax or
information returns and reports, if any, for each taxable year
after the Effective Date, provided that the Company need not
retain any such records for more than four fiscal years;
-15-
(d) the financial statements of the Company for each Fiscal Year
after the Effective Date, provided that the Company need not
retain any such records for more than four fiscal years; and
(e) the Company's books and records for each Fiscal Year after the
Effective Date, provided that the Company need not retain any
such records for more than four fiscal years.
6.2 Delivery to Member, Inspection, etc. Upon the request of any Member,
-------------------------------------
for any purpose reasonably related to such Member's interest as a Member of the
Company, the Board of Managers shall cause to be delivered to the requesting
Member, at the expense of the Company, a copy of the information required to be
maintained by clauses (a) through (e) of Section 6.1. A Member upon reasonable
-----------
request may inspect at the Company's offices the Company's books and records
during reasonable business hours.
6.3 Financial Statements. The Board of Managers shall cause books of
---------------------
account to be maintained reflecting the operations of the Company on an annual
basis and shall cause to be prepared for and delivered to the Members at least
annually, at the Company's expense, financial statements of the Company prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
6.4 Filings. At the Company's expense the Board of Managers shall cause
-------
the income tax returns for the Company to be prepared and timely filed with the
appropriate authorities and to have prepared and to furnish to each Member such
information with respect to the Company as is necessary to enable the Members to
prepare their federal and state income tax returns. The Board of Managers, at
the Company's expense, shall also cause to be prepared and timely filed, with
appropriate federal and state regulatory and administrative bodies, all reports
required to be filed by the Company with those entities under then current
applicable laws, rules, and regulations. The reports shall be prepared on the
accounting or reporting basis required by the regulatory bodies.
6.5 Nondisclosure. Each Member agrees that, except as otherwise consented
-------------
to by the Board of Managers, all nonpublic information furnished to it pursuant
to this Agreement or otherwise with respect to the Company will be kept
confidential and will not be disclosed by such Member, or by any of its agents,
representatives, or employees, in any manner whatsoever, in whole or in part,
except that (a) each Member shall be permitted to disclose such information to
those of its agents, representatives, and employees who need to be familiar with
such information in connection with such Member's investment in the Company and
who are charged with an obligation of confidentiality, (b) each Member shall be
permitted to disclose such information to financial institutions, investment
bankers and prospective purchasers and capital investors, (c) each Member shall
be permitted to disclose such information to its partners and stockholders or to
prospective purchasers or Assignees of its Units so long as each of them agree
to keep such information confidential on the terms set forth herein, (d) each
Member shall be permitted to disclose information to the extent required by law,
so long as such Member shall have first afforded the Company with a reasonable
opportunity to contest the necessity of disclosing such information, and (e)
each Member shall be permitted to disclose information to
-16-
the extent necessary for the enforcement of any right of such Member arising
under this Agreement.
ARTICLE 7
DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS OF PROFIT AND LOSS
------------------------------------------------
7.1 Board of Managers' Determination. The Board of Managers shall have
-----------------------------------
the sole authority to determine the timing and the aggregate amount of any
Distributions to Members.
7.2 Distributions. Subject to Section 7.1, Distributions from the Company
------------- -----------
to its Members shall be made as follows:
7.2.1 If the Company expects that as of the end of any Tax Estimation
Period the Company will have Adjusted Taxable Income, then the Company
shall distribute to each Member on or before the 15th day after the end of
the Tax Estimation Period cash in an amount equal to the Company's estimate
of the Adjusted Taxable Income allocable to each such Member during such
Tax Estimation Period multiplied by the Combined Effective Marginal Tax
Rate. On or before April 15th of each year the Company shall adjust the
distributions pursuant to this Section 7.2.1 with respect to the previous
-------------
Fiscal Year to conform with the Company's income tax returns for such
Fiscal Year. Tax Distributions made pursuant to this Section 7.2.1 shall
-------------
not be deemed to constitute an advance against any distributions provided
for in Section 7.2.2 below. In the event that the proportion of the
--------------
Company's Adjusted Taxable Income allocable to a Member is greater than the
proportion of the Company's Net Profit or Net Loss allocable to the Member
for the same period, the Tax Distributions to such Member shall reflect the
Adjusted Taxable Income allocable to that Member and the Tax Distributions
to the other Members shall be adjusted so that Tax Distributions under this
Section 7.2.1 are made in proportion to Unit ownership.
-------------
7.2.2 The Company shall make all remaining Distributions to the
holders of Units in proportion to their Unit ownership.
7.3 No Violation. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained
------------
in this Agreement, the Company, and the Board of Managers on behalf of the
Company, shall not be required to make a Distribution to any Member on account
of its interest in the Company if such Distribution would violate applicable
law.
7.4 Withholding. All amounts withheld pursuant to the Code or any
-----------
provision of any state, local or foreign tax law with respect to any payment,
distribution, or allocation to the Company shall be treated as amounts paid to
the Company. Such amounts shall in turn be allocated to and treated as
distributed to the Members for all purposes under this Agreement. The Board of
Managers is authorized to withhold from Distributions to the Members and to pay
over to the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign government any amounts
required to be so withheld. The Board of Managers shall allocate any such
amounts to the Members in respect of whose Distribution or allocation the tax
was withheld and shall treat such amounts as actually distributed to such
Members.
-17-
7.5 Property Distributions. If any assets of the Company shall be
-----------------------
distributed in kind pursuant to this Article 7, such assets shall be distributed
---------
to the Members entitled thereto in the same proportions as the Members would
have been entitled to cash Distributions. The amount by which the Fair Market
Value of any property to be distributed in kind to the Members exceeds or is
less than the Book Value of such property shall, to the extent not otherwise
recognized by the Company, be taken into account in determining Net Profit and
Net Loss and determining the Capital Accounts of the Members as if such property
had been sold at its Fair Market Value immediately prior to the Distribution.
7.6 Allocations of Net Profit or Net Loss. Subject to Section 7.7.2,
------------------------------------------ --------------
7.7.3 and 7.7.4 hereof, the Net Profit or Net Loss of the Company shall be
-----------------
allocated among the Members so as to ensure, to the extent possible, that the
Capital Accounts of the Members as of the end of each Fiscal Year reflect the
aggregate Distributions that the Members would be entitled to receive if all of
the assets of the Company were sold for their Book Values and the proceeds were
distributed as of the end of such Fiscal Year in accordance with Section 7.2.2.
-------------
7.7 Other Capital Account and Income Tax Adjustments. Prior to making the
------------------------------------------------
allocations of Net Profit or Net Loss for the Fiscal Year in accordance with
Section 7.6 hereof, the Board of Managers shall allocate income, gain, loss,
------------
deduction and credit (and items thereof) in accordance with the provisions of
this Section 7.7 to the extent required by the Code and applicable Regulations.
-----------
7.7.1 Certain Contributions of Property. In the event there is a
------------------------------------
difference between the Book Value at which any property is accepted as a
contribution to the capital of the Company (or deemed accepted pursuant to
Regulation Section 1.704-1 (b)(2)(iv)(g)) and the adjusted tax basis of
such property to the Company, the Board of Managers shall, solely for
federal income tax purposes (and not for purposes of allocating Net Profit
or Net Loss under Section 7.6 or computing Net Profit or Net Loss),
------------
specially allocate the income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to
such property to the extent required by Section 704(c) of the Code or any
applicable Regulations under Code Section 704(b) or 704(c) using the
traditional method under Regulation Section 1.704-3(b).
7.7.2 Certain Adjustments. To the extent that an adjustment to the
--------------------
adjusted tax basis of any Company asset is required pursuant to Section
732(d), Section 734(b) or Section 743(b) of the Code, adjustments to the
Capital Accounts shall be made as required pursuant to Regulation Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m).
7.7.3 Nonrecourse Deductions; Member Nonrecourse Deductions;
----------------------------------------------------------
Qualified Income Offset, etc. There are hereby included in the Agreement
--------------------------------
such provisions governing the allocation of taxable income, gain, loss,
deduction and credit (and items thereof) determined under the Code as may
be necessary to provide that the Company's allocation provisions contain a
so-called "Qualified Income Offset" and comply with all provisions relating
to the allocation of so-called "Nonrecourse Deductions" and "Member
Nonrecourse Deductions" and the chargeback thereof as set forth in the
Regulations under Section 704(b) of the Code; provided, however, that the
incorporation of such provisions shall affect only the computation of
taxable net income and loss and the allocation thereof as between Members
and shall not otherwise affect the amount or
-18-
timing of any distribution of cash or property to any Member provided for
in this Agreement. Allocations of Nonrecourse Deductions shall be made
ratably among the Members in accordance with the number of Units held by
the Members. Allocations of Member Nonrecourse Deductions shall be made in
accordance with Regulation Section 1.704-2(i).
7.7.4 Limitation on Loss Allocation. Notwithstanding any other
--------------------------------
provision of this Agreement to the contrary, no item of loss or deduction
of the Company shall be allocated to any Member if such allocation would
cause such Member to have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit or would
increase such Member's Adjusted Capital Account Deficit. Such loss shall be
allocated among the Members in accordance with their interest in the
Company as determined under Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(3); provided,
however, that the Board of Managers will notify the Members of any material
loss allocation required under this sentence at least 30 days prior to the
date on which any Company return is filed reporting such loss and will
provide the Members with the proposed allocation and supporting
calculations, all in reasonable detail.
7.8 Changes in Members' Units. If during any Fiscal Year of the Company
---------------------------
there is a change in any Member's Units in the Company, the Board of Managers
shall confer with the tax advisors to the Company and, in conformity with such
advice, allocate the Net Profit or Net Loss to the Members so as to take into
account the varying interests of the Members in the Company in a manner that
complies with the provisions of Section 706 of the Code and the Regulations
thereunder.
7.9 Adjustment of Capital Accounts. Unless the Board of Managers shall
---------------------------------
determine otherwise, the Book Values of all the Company's assets shall be
adjusted to equal their respective gross fair market values, as determined by
the Board of Managers (and the Capital Accounts of the Members shall be adjusted
accordingly), as of the following times: (a) the acquisition of additional Units
by any new or existing Member in exchange for more than a de minimis additional
Capital Contribution, services rendered or to be rendered or the exercise of an
option to acquire such Units; (b) the distribution by the Company to a Member of
more than a de minimis amount of assets of the Company as consideration for
Units; and (c) the liquidation of the Company; provided, however, that
adjustments pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) above shall be made only if the
Board of Managers reasonably determines that such adjustments are necessary or
appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Members in the
Company.
7.10 Allocations for Tax and Section 704(b) Book Purposes. Except as
----------------------------------------------------------
otherwise provided herein, any allocation, for purposes of maintaining Capital
Accounts, to a Member for a Fiscal Year or other period of a portion of Net
Profit or Net Loss (or of a specially allocated item) shall be determined to be
an allocation to that Member of the same proportionate part of each item of
income, gain, loss, deduction or credit, as the case may be, as is earned,
realized or available by or to the Company for federal income tax purposes.
7.11 Interpretation. It is the intent of the Members that the provisions
--------------
hereof relating to each Member's distributive share of income, gain, loss,
deduction and credit (and items thereof) shall comply with the provisions of
Sections 704(b), 704(c), 706 and other relevant provisions of the Code and the
applicable Regulations. In furtherance of the foregoing, the
-19-
Board of Managers is hereby directed to resolve any ambiguity in the provisions
of this Agreement in a manner that will preserve and protect the allocations
provided for in this Article 7 for federal income tax purposes and, subject to
---------
the last sentence hereof, to adopt such curative provisions to this Article 7 as
---------
the Board of Managers may deem necessary or appropriate. In the event of any
dispute, the decision of the independent tax counsel employed by the Company
shall be final. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Member shall have the right
to require or compel any distribution of cash or property not authorized or
provided for by the provisions of this Agreement and the Board of Managers shall
not have the right to alter any distribution of cash or property provided for by
the provisions of this Agreement on the ground that such action is necessary to
cause the provisions hereof to conform to the provisions of the Regulations.
ARTICLE 8
TAX MATTERS MEMBER
------------------
8.1 Tax Matters Member. Unless and until another Member is designated as
-------------------
the tax matters member by the Board of Managers, Penn Octane Corporation shall
be the tax matters member of the Company as provided in the Regulations under
Code Section 6231 and any analogous provisions of state law and in such capacity
is referred to as the "Tax Matters Member".
--------------------
8.2 Certain Authorizations. The Tax Matters Member shall represent the
-----------------------
Company, at the Company's expense, in connection with all examinations of the
Company's affairs by tax authorities including any resulting administrative or
judicial proceedings.
8.3 Indemnity of Tax Matters Member. The Company shall indemnify and
-----------------------------------
reimburse the Tax Matters Member for all expenses (including legal and
accounting fees) incurred as Tax Matters Member pursuant to this Article 8 in
---------
connection with any administrative or judicial proceeding with respect to the
tax liability of the Members as long as the Tax Matters Member has determined in
good faith that its course of conduct was in, or not opposed to, the best
interest of the Company. The payment of all such expenses shall be made before
any Distributions are made to the Members. The taking of any action and the
incurring of any expense by the Tax Matters Member in connection with any such
proceeding, except to the extent provided herein or required by law, is a matter
in the sole discretion of the Tax Matters Member and the provisions on
limitations of liability of the Tax Matters Member, and indemnification set
forth in Article 12 shall be fully applicable to the Tax Matters Member in its
----------
capacity as such.
8.4 Notices to Tax Matters Member. Any Member that receives a notice of
-------------------------------
an administrative proceeding under Code Section 6233 relating to the Company
shall promptly notify the Tax Matters Member of the treatment of any Company
item on such Member's federal income tax return that is or may be inconsistent
with the treatment of that item on the Company's return. Any Member that enters
into a settlement agreement with the Secretary with respect to any Company item
shall notify the Tax Matters Member of such agreement and its terms within 60
days after its date.
-20-
ARTICLE 9
TRANSFER OF UNITS
-----------------
9.1 Transfer by Members.
---------------------
9.1.1 Except as permitted by Section 9.3, no Member shall Transfer
-----------
all or any part of the economic or other rights that comprise its Units and
no Assignee shall Transfer any portion of its Economic Interest unless such
Transfer is first approved by the Board of Managers, which approval may be
given or refused in the sole and absolute discretion of the Board of
Managers.
9.1.2 Notwithstanding Section 9.1.1, but subject to the provisions of
-------------
Sections 9.1.4, 9.1.5 and 9.3, a Member who is an individual shall be
---------------------------------
entitled to Transfer all or any portion of its Units to a trust for the
benefit of such Member or a Member of the immediate family of such Member
(herein referred to as a "Permitted Transferee") so long as the Person
--------------------
controlling such trust is satisfactory to the Board of Managers, provided
that the Permitted Transferee in question shall not be admitted as a Member
of the Company, but shall remain an Assignee with respect to the interest
transferred unless admitted as a Member pursuant to Article 10.
-----------
9.1.3 Any holder of Units may pledge such Units to any bank or other
financial institution to secure any debt of the Company to such bank or
financial institution for borrowed money; provided, however, that no such
pledge may be made unless such pledge is first approved by the Board of
Managers, which approval may be given or refused in the sole and absolute
discretion of the Board of Managers.
9.1.4 No Transfer (including a Transfer to a Permitted Transferee) of
all or any part of a Member's Units or an Assignee's Economic Interest may
be made pursuant to Section 9.1 or Section 9.3 hereof unless and until the Board
----------- -----------
of Managers shall have received all of the following (to the extent applicable
to the proposed Transfer):
(a) if requested by the Board of Managers, an opinion of responsible
counsel (who may be counsel for the Company), satisfactory in
form and substance to the Board of Managers to the effect that:
(i) such Transfer would not violate the Securities Act or
any state securities or blue sky laws applicable to the
Company or the Units to be transferred;
(ii) such Transfer would not cause the Company to be
considered a publicly traded partnership under Section
7704(b) of the Code;
(iii) such Transfer would not cause the Company to lose its
status as a partnership for federal income tax
purposes;
(iv) such Transfer would not require the Company or the
Board of Managers to register as an investment adviser
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended,
or to register as an investment
-21-
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended; and
(v) such Transfer would not cause a termination of the
Company for federal income tax purposes; and
(b) the agreement in writing of such Assignee to comply with all of
the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the grant of the
power of attorney set forth in Section 15.4.
-------------
9.1.5 Each Member hereby severally agrees that:
(a) it will not transfer all or any part of its Units in the Company
except as permitted by this Agreement;
(b) in no event shall all or any part of a Unit be transferred to a
minor or an incompetent except in trust or pursuant to the
Uniform Gifts to Minors Act; and
(c) it will pay all reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees,
incurred by the Company in connection with such Transfer.
9.1.6 A transferee of Units or an Economic Interest shall not be
admitted as a Member of the Company, but shall remain an Assignee with
respect to the Units or Economic Interest transferred unless and until
admitted as a Member pursuant to Article 10. Unless a transferee is
-----------
admitted as a Member of the Company pursuant to Article 10, the Transfer of
----------
all of a Member's interest in the profits, losses and capital of the
Company shall not cause such Member to cease to be a Member of the Company.
9.1.7 Any Transfer in contravention of any of the provisions of this
Article 9 shall be void and of no effect, and shall not bind nor be
----------
recognized by the Company.
9.1.8 In the event of a Transfer or the admission of any Assignee as
a Member of the Company, the Board of Managers shall promptly prepare a
revised Schedule I, which shall be deemed to replace the old Schedule I and
---------- ----------
constitute an amendment of this Agreement approved by all of the Members,
to reflect such Transfer or admission, as the case may be, and shall
promptly send a copy of such revised Schedule I to all Members.
-----------
9.2 Assignees. If the provisions of this Article 9 have been complied
--------- ---------
with, an Assignee shall be entitled to receive all distributions of cash or
other property from the Company, and to be allocated Net Profit and Net Loss and
items of taxable income, deduction, gain, loss or credit attributable to the
Economic Interest assigned to the Assignee from and after the effective date of
the Transfer; shall succeed to the portion of the Capital Account of the
transferor as of the effective date of the Transfer attributable to the Economic
Interest which was transferred; and shall have the right to receive a copy of
the financial statements and tax information required herein to be provided to
all Members. An Assignee shall have no rights of a Member, including without
limitation the right to vote as a Member on matters set forth herein or in the
Act, which rights of a Member shall continue to be held by the Member from whom
the
-22-
Economic Interest derives, unless and until such Assignee is admitted as a
Member pursuant to the provisions of Article 10. The Economic Interest of an
----------
Assignee shall be subject to all of the restrictions and limitations to which
the Units from which the Economic Interest was transferred and to which the
Member holding such Units are subject. The Company and Board of Managers shall
be entitled to treat the transferor of the Economic Interest transferred to the
Assignee as the absolute owner in all respects, and shall incur no liability for
Distributions, allocations of Net Profit or Net Loss, or transmittal of reports
and notices required to be given to the Assignee that are made in good faith to
the transferor Member until the effective date of the Transfer. Unless
otherwise agreed by the Board of Managers, the effective date of the Transfer
shall be the first day of the calendar month following the month in which the
Board of Managers has received all documents with respect to such Transfer
required by Section 9.1.4 and an executed instrument of assignment in compliance
-------------
with this Article 9 or the first day of a later month if specified in the
----------
executed instrument of assignment.
9.3 Penn Octane Units. Penn Octane Corporation shall have the right to
-------------------
sell 25,000 of its Units to each of Shore Capital LLC (or its designee) and
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ (or his designee) pursuant to purchase rights granted to by
Penn Octane Corporation to such Persons.
ARTICLE 10
ADMISSION OF ASSIGNEE AS MEMBER
-------------------------------
10.1 Requirements. An Assignee shall not be admitted to the Company as a
------------
Member unless all of the following conditions are first satisfied:
(a) a duly executed and acknowledged written instrument of Transfer
is filed with the Company, specifying the Units being transferred
and setting forth the intention of the Member effecting the
Transfer that the Assignee succeed to a portion or all of such
Member's Units as a Member;
(b) the Assignee qualifies as an Accredited Investor;
(c) if requested by the Board of Managers, the Assignee delivers to
the Company an opinion of counsel, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Board of Managers, to the effect provided in
clause (a) of Section 9.1.4 with respect to the admission of the
-------------
Assignee as a Member;
(d) the Member effecting the Transfer and Assignee execute and
acknowledge any other instruments that the Board of Managers
deems necessary or desirable for admission of the Assignee,
including the written acceptance and adoption by the Assignee of
the provisions of this Agreement and execution, acknowledgment
and delivery to the Board of Managers of a special power of
attorney as provided in Section 15.4;
-------------
(e) the Member effecting the Transfer or the Assignee pays to the
Company a transfer fee sufficient to cover all reasonable
expenses connected with the admission;
(f) Article 9 of this Agreement has been or is complied with; and
----------
-23-
(g) the Board of Managers approves such admission, which approval may
be given or refused in its reasonable discretion.
10.2 Resignation of Member; No Dissolution. If a Member Transfers all of
---------------------------------------
its interest in the profits, losses and capital of the Company pursuant to
Section 9.1 and the transferee of such interest is admitted as a Member pursuant
-----------
to Section 10.1, such Person shall be admitted to the Company as a Member
-------------
effective on the effective date of the Transfer or such other date as may be
specified when the Member is admitted, and immediately following such admission,
the transferor Member shall cease to be a Member of the Company.
ARTICLE 11
DISSOLUTION OF COMPANY
----------------------
11.1 Termination of Company. No Member shall resign or withdraw from the
-----------------------
Company except that, subject to the restrictions set forth in Articles 9 and 10
-----------------
hereof, any Member may Transfer its Units in the Company to an Assignee and an
Assignee may become a Member in place of the Member which assigned its Units.
If any Member ceases to be a Member for any reason, the business of the Company
shall be continued by the remaining Members.
11.2 Events of Dissolution or Liquidation. The Company shall be dissolved
-------------------------------------
upon the happening of any of the following events: (a) the written determination
of the Board of Managers or (b) the Sale of the Company.
11.3 Liquidation. Upon dissolution of the Company for any reason, the
-----------
Company shall immediately commence to wind up its affairs. A reasonable period
of time shall be allowed for the orderly termination of the Company's business,
discharge of its liabilities, and distribution or liquidation of the remaining
assets so as to enable the Company to minimize the normal losses attendant to
the liquidation process. The Company's property and assets or the proceeds from
the liquidation thereof shall be distributed so as not to contravene the Act but
in compliance with Section 7.2; provided, however, that Distributions to Members
-----------
shall be made after their Capital Accounts have been adjusted to reflect all Net
Profits and Net Losses of the Company through the date of distribution.
11.4 No Action for Dissolution. The Members acknowledge that irreparable
--------------------------
damage would be done to the goodwill and reputation of the Company if any Member
should bring an action in court to dissolve the Company under circumstances
where dissolution is not required by Section 11.2. This Agreement has been
------------
drawn carefully to provide fair treatment of all parties and equitable payment
in liquidation of the Units of all Members. Accordingly, except where the Board
of Managers has failed to liquidate the Company as required by Section 11.2 and
------------
except as specifically provided in the Act, each Member hereby waives and
renounces its right to initiate legal action to seek dissolution or to seek the
appointment of a receiver or trustee to liquidate the Company.
11.5 No Further Claim. Upon dissolution, each Member shall look solely to
----------------
the assets of the Company for the return of its capital, and if the Company's
property remaining after payment or discharge of the debts and liabilities of
the Company, including debts and liabilities
-24-
owed to one or more of the Members, is insufficient to return the aggregate
Capital Contributions of each Member, such Members shall have no recourse
against the Company, the Board of Managers or any other Member.
ARTICLE 12
INDEMNIFICATION
---------------
12.1 General. The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the
-------
Board of Managers and each member of the Board of Managers, each Member,
including the Tax Matters Member, each Assignee and each such Persons officers,
directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees and agents; and the
employees, officers and agents of the Company (all indemnified persons being
referred to as "Indemnified Persons") from any liability, loss or damage
--------------------
incurred by the Indemnified Person by reason of any act performed or omitted to
be performed by the Indemnified Person in connection with the business of the
Company and from liabilities or obligations of the Company imposed on such
Person by virtue of such Person's position with the Company, including
reasonable attorneys' fees and costs and any amounts expended in the settlement
of any such claims of liability, loss or damage; provided, however, that if the
liability, loss, damage or claim arises out of any action or inaction of an
Indemnified Person, indemnification under this Section 12.1 shall be available
------------
only if (a) either (i) the Indemnified Person, at the time of such action or
inaction, determined in good faith that its, his or her course of conduct was
in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company, or (ii) in the case of
inaction by the Indemnified Person, the Indemnified Person did not intend its,
his or her inaction to be harmful or opposed to the best interests of the
Company, and (b) the action or inaction did not constitute fraud, gross
negligence or willful misconduct by the Indemnified Person or a breach of this
Agreement; and provided, further, that indemnification under this Section 12.1
------------
shall be recoverable only from the assets of the Company and not from any assets
of the Members. THE FOREGOING INDEMNITY IS INTENDED TO INDEMNIFY EACH
INDEMNIFIED PERSON FOR HIS OWN ACTS OF NEGLIGENCE AND SHALL APPLY IRRESPECTIVE
OF ANY CLAIM OF CONCURRENT OR CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF SUCH
INDEMNIFIED PERSON. The Company may pay or reimburse attorneys' fees of an
Indemnified Person as incurred, if such Indemnified Person executes an
undertaking to repay the amount so paid or reimbursed if there is a final
determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that such Indemnified Person
is not entitled to indemnification under this Article 12. The Company may pay
----------
for insurance covering liability of the Indemnified Persons for negligence in
operation of the Company's affairs.
12.2 Persons Entitled to Indemnity. Any Person who is within the definition
-----------------------------
of "Indemnified Person" at the time of any action or inaction in connection with
the business of the Company shall be entitled to the benefits of this Article 12
----------
as an Indemnified Person with respect thereto, regardless if such Person
continues to be within the definition of "Indemnified Person" at the time of
such Indemnified Person's claim for indemnification or exculpation hereunder.
12.3 Procedure Agreements. The Company may enter into an agreement with
---------------------
any of its officers, employees and agents, or the members of the Board of
Managers, setting forth procedures consistent with applicable law for
implementing the indemnities provided in this Article 12.
-----------
-25-
12.4 Fiduciary and Other Duties. An Indemnified Person acting under this
----------------------------
Agreement shall not be liable to the Company or to any other Indemnified Person
for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement. The provisions
of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict the duties (including
fiduciary duties) and liabilities of an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at
law or in equity, are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties
and liabilities of such Indemnified Person.
12.5 Exculpation. No Indemnified Person shall be liable, in damages or
-----------
otherwise, to the Company or to any Member for any loss that arises out of any
act performed or omitted to be performed by it or him pursuant to the authority
granted by this Agreement if (a) either (i) the Indemnified Person, at the time
of such action or inaction, determined, in good faith, that such Indemnified
Person's course of conduct was in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the
Company, or (ii) in the case of inaction by the Indemnified Person, the
Indemnified Person did not intend such Indemnified Person's inaction to be
harmful or opposed to the best interests of the Company, and (b) the conduct of
the Indemnified Person did not constitute fraud, gross negligence, or willful
misconduct by such Indemnified Person or a breach of this Agreement.
12.6 Except as otherwise provided by the Act, the debts, obligations and
liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise,
shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no
Indemnified Person shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation
or liability of the Company solely by reason of being an Indemnified Person.
All persons dealing with the Company shall look solely to the assets of the
Company for the payment of the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company.
ARTICLE 13
REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS BY THE MEMBERS
--------------------------------------------
Each Member hereby represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Board
of Managers, the other Members and the Company as follows:
13.1 Investment Intent. It is acquiring its Units with the intent of
------------------
holding the same for investment for its own account and without the intent or a
view of participating directly or indirectly in any distribution of such Units
within the meaning of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities
laws.
13.2 Securities Regulation.
----------------------
13.2.1 It acknowledges and agrees that its Units are being issued and
sold in reliance on the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) of
the Securities Act and exemptions contained in applicable state securities laws,
and that its Units cannot and will not be sold or transferred except in a
transaction that is exempt under the Securities Act and those state acts or
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and
those state acts or in a transaction that is otherwise in compliance with the
Securities Act and those state acts.
13.2.2 It understands that it has no contractual right for the
registration under the Securities Act of its Units for public sale and that,
unless its Units are registered or an exemption from registration is available,
its Units may be required to be held indefinitely.
-26-
13.3 Knowledge and Experience. It has such knowledge and experience in
--------------------------
financial, tax and business matters as to enable it to evaluate the merits and
risks of its investment in the Company and to make an informed investment
decision with respect thereto.
13.4 Economic Risk. It is able to bear the economic risk of its investment
-------------
in its Units.
13.5 Binding Agreement. It has all requisite power and authority to enter
-----------------
into and perform this Agreement and that this Agreement is and will remain its
valid and binding agreement, enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject,
as to the enforcement of remedies, to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or
other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights).
13.6 Tax Position. Unless it provides prior written notice to the Company,
------------
it will not take a position on its federal income tax return, in any claim for
refund, or in any administrative or legal proceedings that is inconsistent with
any information return filed by the Company or with the provisions of this
Agreement.
13.7 Information. It has received all documents, books and records
-----------
pertaining to an investment in the Company requested by it. It has had a
reasonable opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers concerning the
Company, and all such questions have been answered to its satisfaction.
13.8 Amendments to Agreement. This Agreement may be modified or amended
-------------------------
with the prior written consent of the Board of Managers; provided; however, that
this Agreement may not be amended (a) without the approval of each Member or
Assignee materially adversely affected if the amendment would reduce any such
Person's number of Units or would reduce the allocation to such Person of the
amount of any Net Profit, Net Loss or distribution of cash or property from that
which is provided or contemplated herein, unless (i) such amendment is being
executed to reflect any dilution in such Person's interest resulting from the
issuance of Units as contemplated by Article 3 or to reflect the preference over
---------
any such Units of any new Units issued under Article 3, (ii) such amendment is
---------
being executed to reflect the acceptance of an Assignee as a new Member pursuant
to Article 10 or (iii) such amendment adversely affects all Members (and their
-----------
Assignees) equally. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, Amendments to this
Agreement that (a) are necessary or desirable to cure any ambiguity, to correct
or supplement any provision herein that would be inconsistent with law or with
any other provision herein, or to make any other provision with respect to
matters or questions arising under this Agreement that will not be inconsistent
with law or with the provisions of this Agreement; (b) are necessary or
desirable to satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any
opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency
or contained in any federal or state statute; or (c) contemplated by this
Agreement in Section 2.2 in respect of the name of the Company, Section 2.3 in
----------- -----------
respect of the registered office and registered agent of the Company, Section
-------
2.7 in respect to persons authorized to act on behalf of the Company and
---
Schedule I of this Agreement, may be made by the Board of Managers without the
-----------
consent of any Members, and such amendments and revised Schedule I shall be
----------
deemed to constitute an amendment of this Agreement approved by all of the
Members.
-27-
All amendments to this Agreement will be sent to each Member and, after the
effective date of the Transfer to such Assignee, to each Assignee promptly after
the effectiveness thereof. Any modification or amendment to this Agreement
pursuant to this Article 13 shall be binding on all Members.
----------
ARTICLE 14
RIGHT TO CONVERT FORM OF COMPANY
--------------------------------
14.1 Election. With the prior written consent of the Supermajority Vote of
--------
the Board of Managers, but without any need for consent or approval of any other
Member, the Board of Managers may elect at any time and for any purpose to
require that the Company be converted into a corporation (in connection with an
initial public offering or otherwise), which conversion shall be effected by
merger or by such other form of transaction as may be available under applicable
law. No Member shall have any voting rights with respect to the election to
convert the Company into a corporation or partnership. In such conversion, the
Units of the Members (determined as though such Units included Distributions to
which the Members would then be entitled under Section 11.3 if the Company were
------------
liquidated at the value of the Company determined in connection with such
conversion) as well as any unvested Units shall be the basis for the allocation
of shares or options in the corporation. Upon such an election, the Members
shall as soon as practicable thereafter execute, acknowledge and deliver, or
cause to be executed, acknowledged and delivered, all instruments and documents
that may be reasonably requested by the Board of Managers to best effectuate the
conversion of the Company to a corporation while continuing in full force and
effect, to the extent consistent with such conversion, the terms, provisions and
conditions of this Agreement, including those provisions granting the Board of
Managers exclusive authority to manage the operations and affairs of the Company
subject to the provisions hereof, restricting the Transfer of Units, and
granting rights to repurchase Units or rights to participate in certain
transactions.
ARTICLE 15
MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
15.1 Additional Documents. At any time and from time to time after the
---------------------
date of this Agreement, upon the request of the Board of Managers, each Member
shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such additional
acts and deeds, and shall execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be
executed, acknowledged and delivered, all such additional instruments and
documents as may be required to effectuate the purposes and intent of this
Agreement.
15.2 General. This Agreement: (a) shall be binding upon the executors,
-------
administrators, estates, heirs and legal successors of the Members; (b) shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware,
without regard to principles of conflict of laws; (c) may be executed in more
than one counterpart as of the day and year first above written; and (d)
contains the entire contract among the Members as to the subject matter hereof.
The waiver of any of the provisions, terms or conditions contained in this
Agreement shall not be considered as a waiver of any of the other provisions,
terms or conditions hereof.
-28-
15.3 Notices, etc. All notices and other communications required or
-------------
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given
upon personal delivery or receipt (which may be evidenced by a return receipt if
sent by registered mail or by signature if delivered by courier or delivery
service) addressed (a) if to any Member, at the address of such Member set forth
in the records of the Company or at such other address as such Member shall have
furnished to the Company in writing as the address to which notices are to be
sent hereunder, and (b) if to the Company or to the Board of Managers, to it.
15.4 Execution of Papers. The Members agree to execute such instruments,
--------------------
documents and papers as the Board of Managers deems necessary or appropriate to
carry out the intent of this Agreement. Each Member, including each new and
substituted Member, by the execution of this Agreement or by agreeing in writing
to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, irrevocably constitutes and
appoints each member of the Board of Managers and/or any Person designated by
the Board of Managers to act on its behalf for purposes of this Section 15.4 its
------------
true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power and authority in its name,
place and stead to execute, acknowledge, deliver, swear to, file and record at
the appropriate public offices such documents as may be necessary or appropriate
to carry out the provisions of this Agreement, including but not limited to:
(a) all certificates and other instruments (specifically including
counterparts of this Agreement), and any amendment thereof, that
the Board of Managers deems appropriate to qualify or continue
the Company as a limited liability company in any jurisdiction in
which the Company may conduct business or in which such
qualification or continuation is, in the opinion of the Board of
Managers, necessary to protect the limited liability of the
Members;
(b) all amendments to this Agreement adopted in accordance with the
terms hereof and all instruments that the Board of Managers deems
appropriate to reflect a change or modification of the Company in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and
(c) all conveyances and other instruments that the Board of Managers
deems appropriate to reflect the dissolution of the Company.
The appointment by each Member of each member of the Board of Managers
and/or any Person designated by the Board of Managers as its attorney-in-fact
shall be deemed to be a power coupled with an interest, in recognition of the
fact that each of the Members under this Agreement will be relying upon the
power of the Board of Managers to act as contemplated by this Agreement in any
filing and other action by it on behalf of the Company, and shall survive and
shall not be affected by the subsequent disability, incapacity, the bankruptcy,
dissolution, death, adjudication of incompetence or insanity of any Member
giving such power and the transfer or assignment of all or any part of such
Member's Units; provided, however, that in the event of a Transfer by a Member
of all of its Units, the power of attorney given by the transferor shall survive
such assignment only until such time as the Assignee shall have been admitted to
the Company as a substituted Member and all required documents and instruments
shall have been duly executed, filed and recorded to effect such substitution.
-29-
15.5 Disputed Matters. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any
----------------
controversy or dispute arising out of this Agreement, the interpretation of any
of the provisions hereof, or the action or inaction of any Member hereunder
shall be submitted to arbitration in Houston, Texas, pursuant to the provisions
set forth in Exhibit 15.5 hereto. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no
------------
action at law or in equity based upon any claim arising out of or related to
this Agreement shall be instituted in any court by any Member except (a) an
action to compel arbitration pursuant to this Section 15.5, or (b) an action to
------------
enforce an award obtained in an arbitration proceeding in accordance with this
Section 15.5.
-------------
15.6 Gender and Number. Whenever required by the context, as used in this
-----------------
Agreement the singular number shall include the plural, the plural shall include
the singular, and all words herein in any gender shall be deemed to include the
masculine, feminine and neuter genders.
15.7 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is determined by a
------------
court to be invalid or unenforceable, that determination shall not affect the
other provisions hereof, each of which shall be construed and enforced as if the
invalid or unenforceable portion were not contained herein. That invalidity or
unenforceability shall not affect any valid and enforceable application thereof,
and each said provision shall be deemed to be effective, operative, made,
entered into or taken in the manner and to the full extent permitted by law.
15.8 Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are used for
--------
administrative convenience only and do not constitute substantive matter to be
considered in construing the terms of this Agreement.
15.9 No Third Party Rights. The provisions of this Agreement are for the
----------------------
benefit of the Company, the Board of Managers, the Members and Assignees and no
other Person, including creditors of the Company, shall have any right or claim
against the Company, the Board of Managers or any Member by reason of this
Agreement or any provision hereof or be entitled to enforce any provision of
this Agreement.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
-30-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Limited Liability
Company Agreement as of the day and year first set forth above.
MEMBERS:
PENN OCTANE CORPORATION
By: /s/ ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------
▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Chief Financial Officer
-31-
SCHEDULE I
----------
Members: Capital Contributions Units Per Unit Value
----------------------- ---------------------- ------- --------------
Penn Octane Corporation $1,000 100,000 $.01
Schedule I-1
EXHIBIT 1
---------
DEFINED TERMS
-------------
"Accredited Investor" has the meaning assigned to such term under
--------------------
Regulation D promulgated pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
"Act" shall mean the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act as amended and
---
in effect from time to time.
"Adjusted Capital Account Deficit" means, with respect to any Member, the
----------------------------------
deficit balance, if any, in such Member's Capital Account as of the end of the
relevant Fiscal Year after giving effect to the following adjustments:
(i) credit to such Capital Account any amounts which such Member is
obligated to restore pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or is
deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the next to the last
sentences of Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5) after
taking into account any changes during such year in Company minimum gain
and Member minimum gain (as determined under such Regulations); and
(ii) debit to such Capital Account the items described in Section 1.704-1
(b)(2)(1)(d)(4), (5) and (6) of the Regulations.
"Adjusted Taxable Income" shall mean the Company's cumulative items of
-------------------------
income or gain less cumulative items of loss or deduction under the Code,
computed from the Effective Date through the date such Adjusted Taxable Income
is being computed, except that gain or loss from a Sale of the Company.
"Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, any Person
---------
that directly or through one or more intermediaries controls or is controlled by
or is under common control with the specified Person. As used in this
definition, the term "control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of
the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a
Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise.
"Agreement" shall mean this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company
---------
Agreement of the Company dated as of the Effective Date, as amended from time to
time.
"Assignee" shall mean a Person that has acquired the right from a Member to
--------
(i) share in Net Profit and Net Loss of the Company, (ii) receive Distributions
and (iii) receive the allocation of taxable income, gain, loss, deductions or
credits (and items thereof) of the Company to which the transferor Member was
entitled in accordance with the provisions of Article 9, but has not been
---------
admitted as a Member of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Article
-------
10.
--
"Board of Managers" shall mean the board of managers elected and determined
-----------------
as provided in Section 5.1.
------------
"Book Gain" or "Book Loss" shall mean the gain or loss recognized by the
---------- ---------
Company for Code Section 704(b) book purposes in any Fiscal Year or other period
by reason of the sale,
Exhibit 1-1
exchange or other disposition of any Company asset. Such Book Gain or Book Loss
shall be computed by reference to the Book Value of such asset as of the date of
such sale, exchange or other disposition, rather than by reference to the tax
basis of such asset as of such date, and each and every reference herein to
"gain" or "loss" shall be deemed to refer to Book Gain or Book Loss, rather than
to tax gain or tax loss, unless otherwise expressly provided herein.
"Book Value" of an asset shall mean, as of any particular date, the value
-----------
at which the asset is properly reflected on the books and records of the Company
as of such date. The initial Book Value of each asset shall be its cost, unless
such asset was contributed to the Company by a Member, in which case the initial
Book Value shall be the Fair Market Value of such asset at the time of
contribution, as agreed to by the Members or determined by the Board of
Managers, and such Book Value shall thereafter be adjusted for Depreciation with
respect to such asset rather than for the cost recovery deductions to which the
Company is entitled for federal income tax purposes with respect thereto.
"Capital Account" is defined in Section 3.2. An Assignee may acquire an
---------------- -----------
interest in a Capital Account as provided in Section 9.2.
------------
"Capital Contribution" shall mean with respect to any Member, the amount of
--------------------
money plus the Fair Market Value of any other property (net of liabilities
assumed or to which the property is subject) contributed to the Company with
respect to the Units held by such Member pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement.
"Certificate" shall mean the Certificate of Formation of the Company and
-----------
any and all amendments thereto and restatements thereof filed on behalf of the
Company with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
pursuant to the Act.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time
----
to time, and the corresponding provisions of any future federal tax law.
"Combined Effective Marginal Tax Rate" shall mean the highest single
----------------------------------------
combined rate (expressed as a percentage) of United States federal, state and
local income taxation applicable to any individual residing in California
determined as of the last day of each Tax Estimation Period, without giving
effect to any limitation on the deductibility of state and local taxes and other
itemized deductions in computing United States federal taxable income and
assuming that such individual is subject to the highest United States federal
and highest state and local marginal ordinary income tax rates on all income
allocated by the Company.
"Company" shall mean the Limited Liability Company formed by virtue of this
-------
Agreement and the filing of the Certificate in accordance with the Act.
"Depreciation" shall mean for each Fiscal Year or other period, an amount
------------
equal to the depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction
allowable with respect to an asset for such year or other period for federal
income tax purposes, except if the Book Value of an asset differs from its
adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes at the beginning of any such year
or other period, Depreciation shall be an amount that bears the same
relationship to the Book Value of such asset as the depreciation, amortization,
or other cost recovery deduction computed
Exhibit 1-2
for tax purposes with respect to such asset for the applicable period bears to
the adjusted tax basis of such asset at the beginning of such period, or if such
asset has a zero adjusted tax basis, Depreciation shall be an amount determined
under any reasonable method selected by the Board of Managers, with the advice
of its independent accountants.
"Distribution" shall mean cash or property (net of liabilities assumed or
------------
to which the property is subject) distributed to a Member or an Assignee in
respect of the Member's Units in the Company.
"Economic Interest" shall mean all of the rights of an Assignee with
------------------
respect to an Interest.
"Effective Date" shall mean September 16, 2004.
---------------
"Equity Kickers" is defined in Section 3.7.1.
--------------- --------------
"Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the Board of Managers' good
-------------------
faith determination of the fair value of one Unit of the applicable class as of
the applicable reference date.
"Fiscal Year" shall mean the fiscal year of the Company, which shall be the
-----------
calendar year, or such other fiscal year as determined by the Board of Managers.
"Indemnified Persons" is defined in Section 12.1.
-------------------- -------------
"Interest" shall mean the entire interest of a Member in the capital,
--------
profits and Distributions of the Company, including any and all rights and
benefits to which a Member may be entitled as provided in this Agreement,
together with the obligations of such Member to comply with all the terms and
provisions of this Agreement.
"Majority Interest" shall mean the vote or consent of the Members holding a
-----------------
majority of the Units.
"Management Members" shall mean such employees, managers, independent
-------------------
contractors or consultants of the Company, a Member or its Affiliates, who are
granted Units of the Company in connection with such employment or services
rendered or to be rendered or who acquired such Units pursuant to the exercise
of an option granted in connection with such employment or services rendered or
to be rendered or as an investment in the Company.
"Member Nonrecourse Deductions" shall have the meaning set forth in
-------------------------------
Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(1).
"Members" shall mean the Persons listed as Members on Schedule I to this
------- ----------
Agreement and any other Person that both acquires an Interest in the Company and
is admitted to the Company as a Member of the Company.
"Net Profit" and "Net Loss" shall mean, for each Fiscal Year or other
-----------------------------
period, an amount equal to the Company's taxable income or loss, respectively,
for such year or period, determined
Exhibit 1-3
in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code (taking into account all items of
income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to
Section 703(a)(1) of the Code), with the following adjustments:
(i) any income of the Company that is exempt from federal income tax and
not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Profit or Net Loss
pursuant to this provision shall be added to such taxable income or loss;
(ii) any expenditures of the Company described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of
the Code (relating to expenditures which are neither deductible nor
properly chargeable to capital) or treated as Code Section 705(a)(2)(B)
expenditures pursuant to Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i) of the Regulations,
and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Profit or Net Loss
pursuant to this provision, shall be subtracted from such taxable income or
loss;
(iii) Book Gain or Book Loss from the sale or other disposition of any
asset of the Company shall be taken into account in lieu of any tax gain or
tax loss recognized by the Company by reason of such sale or other
disposition; and
(iv) in lieu of the depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery
deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss,
there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such fiscal year or
other period, computed as provided in this Agreement.
"New Securities" is defined in Section 3.7.1.
-------------- -------------
"Nonrecourse Deductions" shall have the meaning set forth in Regulation
-----------------------
Section 1.7042(b)(1).
"Permitted Transferee" is defined in Section 9.1.2.
--------------------- --------------
"Person" shall mean an individual, partnership, joint venture, association,
------
corporation, trust, estate, limited partnership, limited liability company,
limited liability partnership, or any other legal entity.
"Qualified Income Offset" shall have the meaning set forth in Regulation
-------------------------
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d).
"Regulations" shall mean the Treasury regulations, including temporary
-----------
regulations, promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from
time to time (including the corresponding provisions of any future regulations)
as such regulations are applicable to the Company or transactions of the
Company.
"Sale of the Company" shall mean, in each case as determined in good faith
--------------------
by the Board of Managers, to have been occasioned by, or to have occurred upon,
the acquisition of the Company by another Person by means of any transaction or
series of related transactions (including, without limitation, any merger,
consolidation, sale, assignment, transfer distribution
Exhibit 1-4
or issuance of Units) that results in the Members immediately prior to such
transaction not holding, directly or indirectly, at least 50% of the voting
power of the surviving or continuing entity.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
---------------
"Sole Discretion" means, with respect to any Person, that Person's sole and
---------------
absolute discretion, with or without cause, and subject to such conditions as he
shall deem appropriate.
"Supermajority Vote" shall mean the vote or consent of a majority of the
-------------------
Managers of the Board of Managers.
"Tax Distribution" is defined in Section 7.2.1.
----------------- --------------
"Tax Estimation Period" shall mean (i) January, February and March (ii)
-----------------------
April and May, (iii) June, July and August, and (iv) September, October,
November and December of each year during the term of the Company, or other
periods for which estimates of individual federal income tax liability are
required to be made under the Code, provided that the Company's first Tax
Estimation Period shall begin on the Effective Date of this Agreement.
"Tax Matters Member" is defined in Section 8.1.
-------------------- ------------
"Transfer" shall mean a sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, abandonment,
--------
disposition, contribution, distribution, exchange or other transfer, including
but not limited to, any distribution to partners of any partnership,
shareholders of any corporation or members of any limited liability company, and
may be used either as a verb or a noun.
"Units" shall mean any of the Units of the Company.
-----
Exhibit 1-5
EXHIBIT 5.1
-----------
BOARD OF MANAGERS
-----------------
The Members hereby appoint the following individuals as the members of the
Board of Managers:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, JR.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ MANNER
Exhibit 5.1-1
EXHIBIT 15.5
------------
ARBITRATION POLICY
------------------
1. Disputes Covered. This Arbitration Policy ("Policy") applies to any claim,
---------------- ------
dispute or controversy arising out of or relating to the terms and
conditions of any incentive plan, partnership agreement or other plan,
document or agreement that expressly refers to and incorporates the terms
of this Policy; any such claim, dispute or controversy so covered by the
terms of this Policy shall, except as otherwise expressly provided, be
settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the procedures and
conditions set forth herein.
The scope of this Policy is intended to be applied broadly so as to include
any and all disputes, controversies and claims that touch upon any
incentive plan, partnership agreement or other plan, document or agreement
covered by this Policy, whether such disputes, controversies or claims
involve a breach of contract, contract interpretation, tort law, common law
principles or statutes, rules or regulations.
Any dispute, controversy or claim to which this Policy applies is
hereinafter called a "Dispute." A person, corporation or entity who is
-------
subject to this agreement is hereinafter called a "Party."
-----
2. Mediation. The Parties to a Dispute agree to try in good faith to settle
---------
the Dispute by mediation administered by the American Arbitration
Association ("AAA") under its Commercial Mediation Rules before resorting
---
to binding arbitration. The Parties shall split the cost of the mediator
equally. To qualify as a mediator, the mediator must be a lawyer admitted
to the Bar of any State who has practiced for at least ten years. Nothing
in this clause shall preclude any Party from initiating arbitration if the
mediation does not reach a resolution within 30 days after the mediation
commences.
3. Arbitration. Any Dispute not resolved by mediation shall be finally
-----------
resolved by binding arbitration administered by the AAA pursuant to the
Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA (the "Rules") as in force at the
time the arbitration is commenced, except as modified by this Policy. In
the event of any conflict between the Rules and this Policy, the provisions
of this Policy will control.
4. Commencement of Arbitration. Subject to prior compliance with paragraph 2
----------------------------
above, any Party may at any time initiate an arbitration hereunder by
giving a written notice ("Demand for Arbitration") to the other Party at
----------------------
any time consistent with any applicable statutes of limitation.
5. Number of Arbitrators. If the Dispute involves an amount in controversy
-----------------------
less than $500,000, then the arbitration of such Dispute shall be conducted
before one neutral arbitrator. If the Dispute involves an amount in
controversy of $500,000 or more, the arbitration of such Dispute shall be
conducted before a tribunal composed of three neutral arbitrators. Whether
one or three arbitrators is required, the arbitral tribunal that is to
conduct the arbitration is hereinafter called the "Arbitral Panel."
---------------
Exhibit 15.5-1
6. Appointment of Arbitral Panel of One. If an Arbitral Panel of one neutral
-------------------------------------
arbitrator is to conduct the arbitration, the arbitrator shall be chosen
from a panel of five proposed arbitrators drawn by the AAA. Each Party
shall have the right to exercise unlimited challenges for cause and two
peremptory strikes within ten days of its receipt of the list of proposed
arbitrators. If one panel member remains after strikes are made, such
person shall serve as the arbitrator. If more than one panel member remains
after strikes are made, the AAA shall choose the arbitrator from the
remaining panel members. If all of the panel members are struck by the
Parties pursuant to permitted strikes, the AAA shall draw successive new
panels of five proposed arbitrators and apply the foregoing procedures with
respect to such panel(s) until the arbitrator is selected.
7. Appointment of Arbitral Panel of Three. If an Arbitral Panel of three
-------------------------------------------
neutral arbitrators is to conduct the arbitration, each Party shall choose
one neutral arbitrator that is chosen from a panel of five proposed
arbitrators drawn by the AAA. Each Party shall give the other Party written
notice of its selection of one neutral arbitrator within 20 days after its
receipt of the Demand for Arbitration. The two arbitrators so selected
shall choose the third arbitrator from a panel of five proposed arbitrators
drawn by the AAA. If the two arbitrators do not agree on the selection of
the third arbitrator within ten days after their receipt of the list of
proposed arbitrators, the third arbitrator shall be selected by the
Regional Vice President of the AAA from the panel proposed by the AAA. The
third arbitrator shall serve as the Chairperson of the Arbitral Panel. If
an Arbitral Panel of three conducts the arbitration, all decisions and
rulings, as well as any interim or final awards, shall be pursuant to the
majority vote of the Arbitral Panel.
8. Place of Arbitration. The place of arbitration shall be Houston, Texas or
---------------------
such other location as the Parties may mutually agree.
9. Limitations and Laches. The Arbitral Panel is directed to consider any
------------------------
defense that all or part of the claim is not timely by reason of laches or
statute of limitations as a preliminary issue and to render a signed,
written award determining the merits of such defense before considering the
substantive merits of the arbitration claim, unless the Arbitral Panel
determines that the merits of such defense of laches or statute of
limitations are so intertwined with the substantive merits of the
arbitration claim as to make impractical the determination of the defense
of laches or limitations as a preliminary matter.
10. Preliminary Issues of Law. The Arbitral Panel shall hear and determine any
-------------------------
preliminary issue of law asserted by a Party to be dispositive of any
claim, in whole or part, in the manner of a federal court hearing a motion
to dismiss for failure to state a claim or for summary judgment, pursuant
to such terms and procedures as the Arbitral Panel deems appropriate.
11. Consolidation of Disputes. Any court with jurisdiction may order the
---------------------------
consolidation of any arbitrable dispute with any related arbitrable
dispute, controversy or claim not covered by this Policy, as the court may
deem necessary in the interests of justice or efficiency or on such other
grounds as the court may deem appropriate.
Exhibit 5.1-2
12. Time of Proceedings. It is the intent of the Parties that, barring
---------------------
extraordinary circumstances, any arbitration shall be conducted in a
reasonably expeditious manner and shall be concluded, in any event, within
150 days of the date the Demand for Arbitration is received by the AAA.
Unless the Parties otherwise agree, once commenced, hearings shall be held
four days a week, three weeks a month, with each hearing day to begin at
9:30 a.m. and to conclude at 4:45 p.m. until the arbitration is completed.
The Parties may upon agreement extend these time limits, or the Arbitral
Panel may extend them if they determine that the interests of justice
otherwise requires. The Arbitral Panel shall use its best efforts to issue
the final award or awards within a period of 20 days after closure of the
proceedings. However, failure to do so shall not be a basis for challenging
the award.
13. Pre-Hearing Conference. Within ten days after the appointment of the
-----------------------
Arbitral Panel, the Arbitral Panel shall hold a pre-hearing conference to
discuss discovery matters, to schedule the hearing, to decide procedural
matters and to address all other questions that may be presented.
14. Discovery and Evidence. Except as may be modified by the Arbitral Panel for
----------------------
good cause shown, the following procedures shall be followed in addition to
those set forth within the Rules themselves. At least 20 days before the
arbitration, the Parties must exchange a list of witnesses, including any
experts, and copies of all exhibits intended to be used at the arbitration.
Except for good cause, the Arbitral Panel may refuse to allow into evidence
the testimony of any witness not timely disclosed. In addition, except for
good cause, the Arbitral Panel may exclude from evidence any exhibit not
previously tendered to the opposing Party in a timely fashion. Each Party
may take the deposition of three individuals and any or all expert
witnesses designated by another Party. Additional discovery, including but
not limited to interrogatories and requests for production of documents,
medical or psychological examinations, may be had, upon a showing of
substantial need, where the Arbitral Panel so orders.
15. Record of Hearing. If requested by any Party, the Arbitral Panel shall
-------------------
keep records of all proceedings and decisions, and a verbatim record of all
oral hearings. The cost of any such transcript will be borne by the
requesting party.
16. Cross-examination. It is the intent of the Parties that the testimony of
-----------------
witnesses be subject to cross-examination.
17. Evidence. Strict rules of evidence shall not apply in an arbitration
--------
conducted pursuant to this Policy. The Parties may offer such evidence as
they desire and the Arbitral Panel shall accept such evidence as the
Arbitral Panels deems relevant to the issues and accord it such weight as
the Arbitral Panel deems appropriate.
18. Affidavits. The Parties may submit evidence in the form of sworn
----------
affidavits, provided that upon the request of another Party, the Party
submitting the affidavit will make the affiant available for
cross-examination. If the affiant is not made available for
cross-examination, the affidavit shall not be considered as evidence by the
Arbitral Panel except as to matters relating to authentication of documents
or signatures and other such nonmaterial facts except if the Arbitral Panel
finds that the affiant is beyond the control
Exhibit 5.1-3
of the Party offering the affidavit, the affiant is unavailable and the
interests of justice require consideration of the evidence submitted by the
affiant.
19. Punitive Damages Prohibited. The Parties hereby waive any claim to any
-----------------------------
damages in the nature of punitive, exemplary, or statutory damages in
excess of compensatory damages, or any form of damages in excess of
compensatory damages, and the Arbitral Panel is specially divested of any
power to award any damages in the nature of punitive, exemplary, or
statutory damages in excess of compensatory damages, or any form of damages
in excess of compensatory damages.
20. Written Opinion. The arbitration award shall be based on and accompanied
----------------
by a signed, written opinion containing findings of fact and conclusions of
law. Any arbitrator dissenting from an award or portion thereof shall issue
a dissent stating the reasons for the dissent. The results of the
arbitration, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, are confidential and
may not be reported by any news agency or legal publisher or service.
21. Entry of Judgment. A judgment on the arbitration award may be entered in
-------------------
any court having jurisdiction thereof.
22. Costs. The Party prevailing on substantially all of its claims shall be
-----
entitled to recover its reasonable costs, including the arbitrators' fees,
and its attorneys' fees for the arbitration proceedings, as well as for any
ancillary proceeding, including a proceeding to compel or enjoin
arbitration, to request interim measures or to confirm or set aside an
award.
23. Confidentiality. The Parties and Arbitral Panel shall treat all aspects of
---------------
the arbitration proceedings, including without limitation the filing of any
demand, discovery, testimony and other evidence, briefs and the award, as
strictly confidential.
24. Forum Selection. The courts located in the State of Texas shall have
----------------
exclusive jurisdiction over an action brought to enforce the rights and
obligations created or arising under this Policy, and each Party
irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of said courts.
25. Governing Substantive Law. The Arbitral Panel shall apply the substantive
--------------------------
law (and the law of remedies, if applicable) of the State of Delaware, or
federal law or both, as applicable to the claim(s) asserted. The Arbitral
Panel shall recognize all applicable privileges recognized by the law of
the State of Delaware, or federal law or both, as applicable to the
claim(s) asserted. The Parties expressly prohibit the Arbitral Panel from
reaching decisions as amicable compounder/amiables compositeur,
specifically, an Arbitral Panel is not authorized to ▇▇▇▇▇ the application
of law in favor of natural equity. The Arbitral Panel shall have the
authority to entertain a motion to dismiss, a motion for summary judgment
and/or a motion for judgment as a matter of law and shall apply the
standards governing such motions under the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure.
26. Governing Arbitration Law. The law applicable to the validity of the
---------------------------
arbitration clause, the conduct of the arbitration, including any resort to
a court for provisional remedies, the enforcement of any award and any
other question of arbitration law or procedure shall be the Federal
Arbitration Act. The Parties agree that this Policy shall be amended if,
and to
Exhibit 5.1-4
the extent, necessary to cure any defect affecting enforceability of the
duty to arbitrate under the Federal Arbitration Act, it being the intent of
the Parties to resolve any dispute by arbitration.
27. Binding Effect. This Policy shall be binding upon the Parties and their
---------------
respective successors, assigns, heirs, personal representatives and
estates.
28. Severability. Should one or more provisions of this Policy be rendered or
------------
declared invalid by reason of any existing or subsequently enacted
legislation, or by a decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, such
invalidation of such provision or provisions hereof shall not affect the
remaining portions of this Policy.
29. Entirety Agreement. This Policy reflects the entire agreement between the
-------------------
Parties with regard to the subject matter hereof. No Party has made any
promises, guarantees or assurances with respect to the subject matter
hereof except as contained herein.
Exhibit 5.1-5