Exhibit 99.01
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
(INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS)
El Paso Electric Company, a Texas corporation (the "Company"), hereby
grants to ____________________ (the "Optionee") as of January 2, 1998 (the
"Option Date"), pursuant to the provisions of the El Paso Electric Company 1996
Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), an option to purchase from the Company
(the "Option") 26,666 shares of its Common Stock, no par value ("Stock"), at the
price of $7.50 per share upon and subject to the terms and conditions set forth
below.
1. Option Subject to Acceptance of Agreement. The Option shall be
null and void unless the Optionee shall accept this Agreement by executing it in
the space provided below and returning such original execution copy to the
Company.
2. Time and Manner of Exercise of Option.
2.1. Maximum Term of Option. In no event may the Option be
exercised, in whole or in part, after January 2, 2008 (the "Expiration Date").
2.2. Exercise of Option. (a) Except as otherwise provided by
Sections 2.2(b) and 2.2(c) hereof and by Section 6.8 of the Plan, the Option
shall become exercisable (i) on January 2, 2002, with respect to one-half of the
number of shares of stock subject to the option on the option date and (ii) on
January 2, 2003, with respect to the remaining one-half of the shares of stock
subject to the option on the option date.
(b) If the Optionee's employment by the Company terminates by reason
of Disability, the Option shall be exercisable only to the extent it is
exercisable on the effective date of the Optionee's termination of employment
and may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee or the Optionee's Legal
Representative until and including the earliest to occur of (i) the date which
is 90 days after the effective date of the Optionee's termination of employment
and (ii) the Expiration Date.
(c) If the Optionee's employment by the Company terminates by reason
of retirement, the Option shall be exercisable only to the extent it is
exercisable on the effective date of the Optionee's termination of employment
and may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee or the Optionee's Legal
Representative until and including the earliest to occur of (i) the date which
is 90 days after the effective date of the Optionee's termination of employment
and (ii) the Expiration Date.
(d) If the Optionee's employment by the Company terminates by reason
of death, the Option shall be exercisable only to the extent it is exercisable
on the date of death and may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee or the
Optionee's Legal
Representative or Permitted Transferees, as the case may be, until and including
the earliest to occur of (i) the date which is 90 days after the date of death
and (ii) the Expiration Date.
(e) If the Optionee's employment by the Company terminates for any
reason other than Disability, retirement or death, the Option shall be
exercisable only to the extent it is exercisable on the effective date of the
Optionee's termination of employment and may thereafter be exercised by the
Optionee or the Optionee's Legal Representative until and including the earliest
to occur of (i) the date which is 90 days after the effective date of the
Optionee's termination of employment and (ii) the Expiration Date.
(f) If the Optionee dies during the period set forth in Section
2.2(b) following termination of employment by reason of Disability, or if the
Optionee dies during the period set forth in Section 2.2(c) following
termination of employment, or if the Optionee dies during the period set forth
in Section 2.2(e) following termination of employment for any reason other than
Disability or retirement, the Option shall be exercisable only to the extent it
is exercisable on the date of death and may thereafter be exercised by the
Optionee's Legal Representative or Permitted Transferees, as the case may be,
until and including the earliest to occur of (i) the date which is 90 days after
the date of death and (ii) the Expiration Date.
2.3 Method of Exercise. Subject to the limitations set forth in
this Agreement, the Option may be exercised by the Optionee (1) by giving
written notice to the Company specifying the number of whole shares of Stock to
be purchased and accompanied by payment therefor in full (or arrangement made
for such payment to the Company's satisfaction) either (i) in cash, (ii) by
delivery of previously owned whole shares of Stock (which the Optionee has held
for at least six months prior to the delivery of such shares or which the
Optionee purchased on the open market and for which the Optionee has good title,
free and clear of all liens and encumbrances) having a Fair Market Value,
determined as of the date of exercise, equal to the aggregate purchase price
payable pursuant to the Option by reason of such exercise, (iii) in cash by a
broker-dealer acceptable to the Company to whom the Optionee has submitted an
irrevocable notice of exercise or (iv) a combination of (i) and (ii), and (2) by
executing such documents as the Company may reasonably request. The Committee
may disapprove an election pursuant to any of clauses (ii) - (iv) if the
Committee determines, based on the opinion of recognized securities counsel,
that the method of exercise so elected would result in liability to the Optionee
under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), or the regulations promulgated thereunder. Any fraction of a
share of Stock which would be required to pay such purchase price shall be
disregarded and the remaining amount due shall be paid in cash by the Optionee.
No certificate representing a share of Stock shall be delivered until the full
purchase price therefor has been paid .
2.4 Termination of Option. (a) In no event may the Option be
exercised after it terminates as set forth in this Section 2.4. The Option
shall terminate,
-2-
to the extent not exercised pursuant to Section 2.3 or earlier terminated
pursuant to Section 2.2, on the Expiration Date.
(b) In the event that rights to purchase all or a portion of the
shares of Stock subject to the Option expire or are exercised, canceled or
forfeited, the Optionee shall, upon the Company's request, promptly return this
Agreement to the Company for full or partial cancellation, as the case may be.
Such cancellation shall be effective regardless of whether the Optionee returns
this Agreement. If the Optionee continues to have rights to purchase shares of
Stock hereunder, the Company shall, within 10 days of the Optionee's delivery of
this Agreement to the Company, either (i) ▇▇▇▇ this Agreement to indicate the
extent to which the Option has expired or been exercised, canceled or forfeited
or (ii) issue to the Optionee a substitute option agreement applicable to such
rights, which agreement shall otherwise be substantially similar to this
Agreement in form and substance.
3. Additional Terms and Conditions of Option.
3.1. Nontransferability of Option. The Option may not be transferred
by the Optionee other than (i) by will or the laws of descent and distribution
or pursuant to beneficiary designation procedures approved by the Company or
(ii) as otherwise permitted under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act as may be
set forth in an amendment to this Agreement. Except to the extent permitted by
the foregoing sentence, during the Optionee's lifetime the Option is exercisable
only by the Optionee or the Optionee's Legal Representative. Except to the
extent permitted by the foregoing, the Option may not be sold, transferred,
assigned, pledged, hypothecated, encumbered or otherwise disposed of (whether by
operation of law or otherwise) or be subject to execution, attachment or similar
process. Upon any attempt to so sell, transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate,
encumber or otherwise dispose of the Option, the Option and all rights hereunder
shall immediately become null and void.
3.2. Investment Representation. The Optionee hereby represents and
covenants that (a) any share of Stock purchased upon exercise of the Option will
be purchased for investment and not with a view to the distribution thereof
within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), unless such purchase has been registered under the Securities Act and any
applicable state securities laws; (b) any subsequent sale of any such shares
shall be made either pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, or pursuant to an
exemption from registration under the Securities Act and such state securities
laws; and (c) if requested by the Company, the Optionee shall submit a written
statement, in form satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such
representation (x) is true and correct as of the date of purchase of any shares
hereunder or (y) is true and correct as of the date of any sale of any such
shares, as applicable. As a further condition precedent to any exercise of the
Option, the Optionee shall comply with all regulations and requirements of any
regulatory
-3-
authority having control of or supervision over the issuance or delivery of the
shares and, in connection therewith, shall execute any documents which the Board
or the Committee shall in its sole discretion deem necessary or advisable.
3.3. Withholding Taxes. (a) As a condition precedent to the
delivery of Stock upon exercise of the Option, the Optionee shall, upon request
by the Company, pay to the Company in addition to the purchase price of the
shares, such amount of cash as the Company may be required, under all applicable
federal, state, local or other laws or regulations, to withhold and pay over as
income or other withholding taxes (the "Required Tax Payments") with respect to
such exercise of the Option. If the Optionee shall fail to advance the Required
Tax Payments after request by the Company, the Company may, in its discretion,
deduct any Required Tax Payments from any amount then or thereafter payable by
the Company to the Optionee.
(b) The Optionee may elect to satisfy his or her obligation to
advance the Required Tax Payments by any of the following means: (1) a cash
payment to the Company pursuant to Section 3.3(a), (2) delivery to the Company
of previously owned whole shares of Stock (which the Optionee has held for at
least six months prior to the delivery of such shares or which the Optionee
purchased on the open market and for which the Optionee has good title, free and
clear of all liens and encumbrances) having a Fair Market Value, determined as
of the date the obligation to withhold or pay taxes first arises in connection
with the Option (the "Tax Date"), equal to the Required Tax Payments, (3)
authorizing the Company to withhold whole shares of Stock which would otherwise
be delivered to the Optionee upon exercise of the Option having a Fair Market
Value, determined as of the Tax Date, equal to the Required Tax Payments, (4) a
cash payment by a broker-dealer acceptable to the Company to whom the Optionee
has submitted an irrevocable notice of exercise or (5) any combination of (1),
(2) and (3). The Committee may disapprove an election pursuant to any of
clauses (2)-(5) if the Committee determines, based on the opinion of recognized
securities counsel, that the method so elected would result in liability to the
Optionee under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or the regulations promulgated
thereunder. Shares of Stock to be delivered or withheld may not have a Fair
Market Value in excess of the minimum amount of the Required Tax Payments. Any
fraction of a share of Stock which would be required to satisfy any such
obligation shall be disregarded and the remaining amount due shall be paid in
cash by the Optionee. No certificate representing a share of Stock shall be
delivered until the Required Tax Payments have been satisfied in full.
3.4 Adjustment. In the event of any stock split, stock dividend,
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange
of shares, liquidation, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization or
event, or any distribution to holders of Stock other than a regular cash
dividend, the number and class of securities subject to the Option and the
purchase price per security shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee
without an increase in the aggregate purchase price. If any adjustment would
result in a fractional security being subject to the Option, the Company shall
pay the Optionee, in connection with the first exercise of the Option, in whole
or in part, occurring after such adjustment, an amount in cash determined by
-4-
multiplying (i) the fraction of such security (rounded to the nearest hundredth)
by (ii) the excess, if any, of (A) the Fair Market Value on the exercise date
over (B) the exercise price of the Option. The decision of the Committee
regarding any such adjustment shall be final, binding and conclusive.
3.5. Compliance with Applicable Law. The Option is subject to the
condition that if the listing, registration or qualification of the shares
subject to the Option upon any securities exchange or under any law, or the
consent or approval of any governmental body, or the taking of any other action
is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the purchase
or delivery of shares hereunder, the Option may not be exercised, in whole or in
part, unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval
shall have been effected or obtained, free of any conditions not acceptable to
the Company. The Company agrees to use reasonable efforts to effect or obtain
any such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval.
3.6. Delivery of Certificates. Upon the exercise of the Option, in
whole or in part, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered one or more
certificates representing the number of shares purchased against full payment
therefor. The Company shall pay all original issue or transfer taxes and all
fees and expenses incident to such delivery, except as otherwise provided in
Section 3.3.
3.7. Option Confers No Rights as Stockholder. The Optionee shall not
be entitled to any privileges of ownership with respect to shares of Stock
subject to the Option unless and until purchased and delivered upon the exercise
of the Option, in whole or in part, and the Optionee becomes a stockholder of
record with respect to such delivered shares; and the Optionee shall not be
considered a stockholder of the Company with respect to any such shares not so
purchased and delivered.
3.8. Option Confers No Rights to Continued Employment. In no event
shall the granting of the Option or its acceptance by the Optionee give or be
deemed to give the Optionee any right to continued employment by the Company.
3.9. Decisions of Board or Committee. The Board or the Committee
shall have the right to resolve all questions which may arise in connection with
the Option or its exercise. Any interpretation, determination or other action
made or taken by the Board or the Committee regarding the Plan or this Agreement
shall be final, binding and conclusive.
3.10. Company to Reserve Shares. The Company shall at all times
prior to the expiration or termination of the Option reserve and keep available,
either in its treasury or out of its authorized but unissued shares of Stock,
the full number of shares subject to the Option from time to time.
-5-
3.11. Agreement Subject to the Plan. This Agreement is subject to
the provisions of the Plan and shall be interpreted in accordance therewith.
The Optionee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan.
4. Miscellaneous Provisions.
4.1. Designation as an Incentive Stock Option. The Option is hereby
designated as constituting an "incentive stock option" within meaning of section
422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); this
Agreement shall be interpreted and treated consistently with such designation.
4.2. Meaning of Certain Terms. As used herein, the term "Legal
Representative" shall include an executor, administrator, legal representative,
guardian or similar person and the term "Permitted Transferee" shall include any
transferee (i) pursuant to a transfer permitted under Section 6.4 of the Plan
and Section 3.1 hereof or (ii) designated pursuant to beneficiary designation
procedures approved by the Company.
4.3. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of any successor or successors of the Company and any person or
persons who shall, upon the death of the Optionee, acquire any rights hereunder
in accordance with this Agreement or the Plan.
4.4. Notices. All notices, requests or other communications provided
for in this Agreement shall be made, if to the Company, to ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Building, ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention: Corporate Secretary, and if to
the Optionee, to __________________________________________________. All
notices, requests or other communications provided for in this Agreement shall
be made in writing either (a) by personal delivery to the party entitled
thereto, (b) by facsimile with confirmation of receipt, (c) by mailing in the
United States mails to the last known address of the party entitled thereto or
(d) by express courier service. The notice, request or other communication
shall be deemed to be received upon personal delivery, upon confirmation of
receipt of facsimile transmission or upon receipt by the party entitled thereto
if by United States mail or express courier service; provided, however, that if
a notice, request or other communication is not received during regular business
hours, it shall be deemed to be received on the next succeeding business day of
the Company.
4.5. Governing Law. This Agreement, the Option and all
determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto and thereto, to the extent
not governed by the laws of the United States, shall be governed by the laws of
the State of Texas and construed in accordance therewith without giving effect
to principles of conflicts of laws.
-6-
4.6. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two
counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original and both of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
By:
----------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Director
Accepted this 3rd day of January, 1998
--------------------------------------
Exhibit 99.01
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
FOR EMPLOYEES
(NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS)
El Paso Electric Company, a Texas corporation (the "Company"), hereby
grants to _______________ (the "Optionee") as of January 2, 1998 (the "Option
Date"), pursuant to the provisions of the El Paso Electric Company 1996 Long-
Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), a non-qualified option to purchase from the
Company (the "Option") 73,334 shares of its Common Stock, no par value
("Stock"), at the price of $7.50 per share upon and subject to the terms and
conditions set forth below.
1. Option Subject to Acceptance of Agreement. The Option shall be
null and void unless the Optionee shall accept this Agreement by executing it in
the space provided below and returning such original execution copy to the
Company.
2. Time and Manner of Exercise of Option.
2.1. Maximum Term of Option. In no event may the Option be
exercised, in whole or in part, after January 2, 2008 (the "Expiration Date").
2.2. Exercise of Option. (a) Except as otherwise provided by
Sections 2.2(b) and 2.2(c) hereof and by Section 6.8 of the Plan, the Option
shall become exercisable on the anniversary date of the grant as set forth
below:
Year Exercisable Amount Exercisable
---------------- ------------------
1999 20,000
2000 20,000
2001 20,000
2002 6,667
2003 6,667
(b) If the Optionee's employment by the Company terminates by reason
of Disability, the Option shall be exercisable only to the extent it is
exercisable on the effective date of the Optionee's termination of employment
and may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee or the Optionee's Legal
Representative until and including the earliest to occur of (i) the date which
is 120 days after the effective date of the Optionee's termination of employment
and (ii) the Expiration Date.
(c) If the Optionee's employment by the Company terminates by reason
of retirement, the Option shall be exercisable only to the extent it is
exercisable on the effective date of the Optionee's termination of employment
and may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee or the Optionee's Legal
Representative until and including
the earliest to occur of (i) the date which is 120 days after the effective date
of the Optionee's termination of employment and (ii) the Expiration Date.
(d) If the Optionee's employment by the Company terminates by reason
of death, the Option shall be exercisable only to the extent it is exercisable
on the date of death and may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee or the
Optionee's Legal Representative or Permitted Transferees, as the case may be,
until and including the earliest to occur of (i) the date which is 120 days
after the date of death and (ii) the Expiration Date.
(e) If the Optionee's employment by the Company terminates for any
reason other than Disability, retirement or death, the Option shall be
exercisable only to the extent it is exercisable on the effective date of the
Optionee's termination of employment and may thereafter be exercised by the
Optionee or the Optionee's Legal Representative until and including the earliest
to occur of (i) the date which is 120 days after the effective date of the
Optionee's termination of employment and (ii) the Expiration Date.
(f) If the Optionee dies during the period set forth in Section
2.2(b) following termination of employment by reason of Disability, or if the
Optionee dies during the period set forth in Section 2.2(c) following
termination of employment, or if the Optionee dies during the period set forth
in Section 2.2(e) following termination of employment for any reason other than
Disability or retirement, the Option shall be exercisable only to the extent it
is exercisable on the date of death and may thereafter be exercised by the
Optionee's Legal Representative or Permitted Transferees, as the case may be,
until and including the earliest to occur of (i) the date which is 90 days after
the date of death and (ii) the Expiration Date.
2.3 Method of Exercise. Subject to the limitations set forth in this
Agreement, the Option may be exercised by the Optionee (1) by giving written
notice to the Company specifying the number of whole shares of Stock to be
purchased and accompanied by payment therefor in full (or arrangement made for
such payment to the Company's satisfaction) either (i) in cash, (ii) by delivery
of previously owned whole shares of Stock (which the Optionee has held for at
least six months prior to the delivery of such shares or which the Optionee
purchased on the open market and for which the Optionee has good title, free and
clear of all liens and encumbrances) having a Fair Market Value, determined as
of the date of exercise, equal to the aggregate purchase price payable pursuant
to the Option by reason of such exercise, (iii) in cash by a broker-dealer
acceptable to the Company to whom the Optionee has submitted an irrevocable
notice of exercise or (iv) a combination of (i) and (ii), and (2) by executing
such documents as the Company may reasonably request. The Committee may
disapprove an election pursuant to any of clauses (ii) - (iv) if the Committee
determines, based on the opinion of recognized securities counsel, that the
method of exercise so elected would result in liability to the Optionee under
Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), or the regulations promulgated thereunder. Any fraction of a share of
Stock which would be required to
-2-
pay such purchase price shall be disregarded and the remaining amount due shall
be paid in cash by the Optionee. No certificate representing a share of Stock
shall be delivered until the full purchase price therefor has been paid.
2.4 Termination of Option. (a) In no event may the Option be
exercised after it terminates as set forth in this Section 2.4. The Option
shall terminate, to the extent not exercised pursuant to Section 2.3 or earlier
terminated pursuant to Section 2.2, on the Expiration Date.
(b) In the event that rights to purchase all or a portion of the
shares of Stock subject to the Option expire or are exercised, cancelled or
forfeited, the Optionee shall, upon the Company's request, promptly return this
Agreement to the Company for full or partial cancellation, as the case may be.
Such cancellation shall be effective regardless of whether the Optionee returns
this Agreement. If the Optionee continues to have rights to purchase shares of
Stock hereunder, the Company shall, within 10 days of the Optionee's delivery of
this Agreement to the Company, either (i) ▇▇▇▇ this Agreement to indicate the
extent to which the Option has expired or been exercised, cancelled or forfeited
or (ii) issue to the Optionee a substitute option agreement applicable to such
rights, which agreement shall otherwise be substantially similar to this
Agreement in form and substance.
3. Additional Terms and Conditions of Option.
3.1. Nontransferability of Option. The Option may not be transferred
by the Optionee other than (i) by will or the laws of descent and distribution
or pursuant to beneficiary designation procedures approved by the Company or
(ii) as otherwise permitted under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act as may be
set forth in an amendment to this Agreement. Except to the extent permitted by
the foregoing sentence, during the Optionee's lifetime the Option is exercisable
only by the Optionee or the Optionee's Legal Representative. Except to the
extent permitted by the foregoing, the Option may not be sold, transferred,
assigned, pledged, hypothecated, encumbered or otherwise disposed of (whether by
operation of law or otherwise) or be subject to execution, attachment or similar
process. Upon any attempt to so sell, transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate,
encumber or otherwise dispose of the Option, the Option and all rights hereunder
shall immediately become null and void.
3.2. Investment Representation. The Optionee hereby represents and
covenants that (a) any share of Stock purchased upon exercise of the Option will
be purchased for investment and not with a view to the distribution thereof
within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), unless such purchase has been registered under the Securities Act and any
applicable state securities laws; (b) any subsequent sale of any such shares
shall be made either pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, or pursuant to an
exemption from registration under the Securities Act and such state securities
laws; and (c) if requested by the Company, the Optionee shall submit a written
statement, in form satisfactory to the Company, to the
-3-
effect that such representation (x) is true and correct as of the date of
purchase of any shares hereunder or (y) is true and correct as of the date of
any sale of any such shares, as applicable. As a further condition precedent to
any exercise of the Option, the Optionee shall comply with all regulations and
requirements of any regulatory authority having control of or supervision over
the issuance or delivery of the shares and, in connection therewith, shall
execute any documents which the Board or the Committee shall in its sole
discretion deem necessary or advisable.
3.3. Withholding Taxes. (a) As a condition precedent to the
delivery of Stock upon exercise of the Option, the Optionee shall, upon request
by the Company, pay to the Company in addition to the purchase price of the
shares, such amount of cash as the Company may be required, under all applicable
federal, state, local or other laws or regulations, to withhold and pay over as
income or other withholding taxes (the "Required Tax Payments") with respect to
such exercise of the Option. If the Optionee shall fail to advance the Required
Tax Payments after request by the Company, the Company may, in its discretion,
deduct any Required Tax Payments from any amount then or thereafter payable by
the Company to the Optionee.
(b) The Optionee may elect to satisfy his or her obligation to
advance the Required Tax Payments by any of the following means: (1) a cash
payment to the Company pursuant to Section 3.3(a), (2) delivery to the Company
of previously owned whole shares of Stock (which the Optionee has held for at
least six months prior to the delivery of such shares or which the Optionee
purchased on the open market and for which the Optionee has good title, free and
clear of all liens and encumbrances) having a Fair Market Value, determined as
of the date the obligation to withhold or pay taxes first arises in connection
with the Option (the "Tax Date"), equal to the Required Tax Payments, (3)
authorizing the Company to withhold whole shares of Stock which would otherwise
be delivered to the Optionee upon exercise of the Option having a Fair Market
Value, determined as of the Tax Date, equal to the Required Tax Payments, (4) a
cash payment by a broker-dealer acceptable to the Company to whom the Optionee
has submitted an irrevocable notice of exercise or (5) any combination of (1),
(2) and (3). The Committee may disapprove an election pursuant to any of
clauses (2)-(5) if the Committee determines, based on the opinion of recognized
securities counsel, that the method so elected would result in liability to the
Optionee under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or the regulations promulgated
thereunder. Shares of Stock to be delivered or withheld may not have a Fair
Market Value in excess of the minimum amount of the Required Tax Payments. Any
fraction of a share of Stock which would be required to satisfy any such
obligation shall be disregarded and the remaining amount due shall be paid in
cash by the Optionee. No certificate representing a share of Stock shall be
delivered until the Required Tax Payments have been satisfied in full.
3.4 Adjustment. In the event of any stock split, stock dividend,
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange
of shares, liquidation, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization or
event, or any distribution to holders of Stock other than a regular cash
dividend, the number and class of securities subject to the Option and the
purchase price per security shall be
-4-
appropriately adjusted by the Committee without an increase in the aggregate
purchase price. If any adjustment would result in a fractional security being
subject to the Option, the Company shall pay the Optionee, in connection with
the first exercise of the Option, in whole or in part, occurring after such
adjustment, an amount in cash determined by multiplying (i) the fraction of such
security (rounded to the nearest hundredth) by (ii) the excess, if any, of (A)
the Fair Market Value on the exercise date over (B) the exercise price of the
Option. The decision of the Committee regarding any such adjustment shall be
final, binding and conclusive.
3.5. Compliance with Applicable Law. The Option is subject to the
condition that if the listing, registration or qualification of the shares
subject to the Option upon any securities exchange or under any law, or the
consent or approval of any governmental body, or the taking of any other action
is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the purchase
or delivery of shares hereunder, the Option may not be exercised, in whole or in
part, unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval
shall have been effected or obtained, free of any conditions not acceptable to
the Company. The Company agrees to use reasonable efforts to effect or obtain
any such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval.
3.6. Delivery of Certificates. Upon the exercise of the Option, in
whole or in part, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered one or more
certificates representing the number of shares purchased against full payment
therefor. The Company shall pay all original issue or transfer taxes and all
fees and expenses incident to such delivery, except as otherwise provided in
Section 3.3.
3.7. Option Confers No Rights as Stockholder. The Optionee shall not
be entitled to any privileges of ownership with respect to shares of Stock
subject to the Option unless and until purchased and delivered upon the exercise
of the Option, in whole or in part, and the Optionee becomes a stockholder of
record with respect to such delivered shares; and the Optionee shall not be
considered a stockholder of the Company with respect to any such shares not so
purchased and delivered.
3.8. Option Confers No Rights to Continued Employment. In no event
shall the granting of the Option or its acceptance by the Optionee give or be
deemed to give the Optionee any right to continued employment by the Company.
3.9. Decisions of Board or Committee. The Board or the Committee
shall have the right to resolve all questions which may arise in connection with
the Option or its exercise. Any interpretation, determination or other action
made or taken by the Board or the Committee regarding the Plan or this Agreement
shall be final, binding and conclusive.
3.10. Company to Reserve Shares. The Company shall at all times
prior to the expiration or termination of the Option reserve and keep available,
either in its
-5-
treasury or out of its authorized but unissued shares of Stock, the full number
of shares subject to the Option from time to time.
3.11. Agreement Subject to the Plan. This Agreement is subject to
the provisions of the Plan and shall be interpreted in accordance therewith.
The Optionee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan.
4. Miscellaneous Provisions.
4.1. Designation as Nonqualified Stock Option. The Option is hereby
designated as not constituting an "incentive stock option" within meaning of
section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); this
Agreement shall be interpreted and treated consistently with such designation.
4.2. Meaning of Certain Terms. As used herein, the term "Legal
Representative" shall include an executor, administrator, legal representative,
guardian or similar person and the term "Permitted Transferee" shall include any
transferee (i) pursuant to a transfer permitted under Section 6.4 of the Plan
and Section 3.1 hereof or (ii) designated pursuant to beneficiary designation
procedures approved by the Company.
4.3. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of any successor or successors of the Company and any person or
persons who shall, upon the death of the Optionee, acquire any rights hereunder
in accordance with this Agreement or the Plan.
4.4. Notices. All notices, requests or other communications provided
for in this Agreement shall be made, if to the Company, to ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Building, ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention: Corporate Secretary, and if to
the Optionee, to ________________________________________________. All notices,
requests or other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be made in
writing either (a) by personal delivery to the party entitled thereto, (b) by
facsimile with confirmation of receipt, (c) by mailing in the United States
mails to the last known address of the party entitled thereto or (d) by express
courier service. The notice, request or other communication shall be deemed to
be received upon personal delivery, upon confirmation of receipt of facsimile
transmission or upon receipt by the party entitled thereto if by United States
mail or express courier service; provided, however, that if a notice, request or
other communication is not received during regular business hours, it shall be
deemed to be received on the next succeeding business day of the Company.
4.5. Governing Law. This Agreement, the Option and all
determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto and thereto, to the extent
not governed by the laws of the United States, shall be governed by the laws of
the State of Texas and construed in accordance therewith without giving effect
to principles of conflicts of laws.
-6-
4.6. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two
counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original and both of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
By:
-----------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Director
Accepted this 3rd day of January, 1998
---------------------------------------