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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 8, 2023

Registration No. 333-                

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

HEALTHCARE REALTY TRUST INCORPORATED

and

HEALTHCARE REALTY HOLDINGS, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland

Delaware

     

20-4738467

20-4738347

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

     

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

3310 West End Avenue, Suite 700

Seventh Floor

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

(615) 269-8175

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Andrew E. Loope

Senior Vice President, Corporate Counsel, and Secretary

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

3310 West End Avenue

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

(615) 269-8175

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

with copies to:

James H. Nixon III

David R. Clay

Holland & Knight LLP

511 Union Street, Suite 2700

Nashville, Tennessee 37219

(615) 244-6380

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement as determined by market conditions and other factors.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

 

  Large accelerated filer ☒   Accelerated filer ☐
  Non-accelerated filer ☐   Smaller reporting company ☐
    Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.    ☐

Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P.

 

  Large accelerated filer ☐   Accelerated filer ☐
  Non-accelerated filer ☒   Smaller reporting company ☐
    Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.    ☐

 

 

 


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PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

HEALTHCARE REALTY TRUST INCORPORATED

Class A Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Common Stock Warrants

Debt Securities

Guarantees of Debt Securities of Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P.

Units

HEALTHCARE REALTY HOLDINGS, L.P.

Debt Securities

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, Class A common stock, preferred stock, warrants to purchase shares of common stock, debt securities, guarantees of debt securities, and units consisting of two or more of these classes or series of securities.

Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P. may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, debt securities. These debt securities may be offered and sold separately, together or as units with other securities described in this prospectus. The debt securities may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, as described in this prospectus or a prospectus supplement.

We will offer such securities separately or together, in separate classes or series, in amounts, at prices and on other terms set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus at the time of the offering. The applicable prospectus supplement also will contain information, where applicable, about certain U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the securities covered by such prospectus supplement.

In addition to offers and sales by Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated or Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., selling stockholders to be named in a prospectus supplement may offer and sell shares of our common stock from time to time in such amounts as set forth in a prospectus supplement.

The securities may be offered and sold directly to investors through agents designated from time to time by them or us, or to or through underwriters or dealers, or through a combination of these methods. We reserve the sole right to accept and, together with our agents, dealers and underwriters, reserve the right to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of securities to be made directly by investors or through agents, dealers or underwriters. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See “Plan of Distribution.” Our net proceeds from the sale of securities also will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

No securities may be sold without delivery of the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities. You should carefully read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference, prior to investing in any of our securities.

Our Class A common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “HR.” On August 7, 2023, the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock was $19.73 per share. We do not expect any of the other securities offered hereby to be listed on any securities exchange or over-the-counter market unless otherwise described in any applicable prospectus supplement.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks and uncertainties. You should carefully review the discussion under the heading “RISK FACTORS” on page 3 of this prospectus regarding information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is August 8, 2023


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Table of Contents 

 

About This Prospectus

     1  

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     2  

Risk Factors

     3  

The Company

     4  

Selling Stockholders

     4  

Use of Proceeds

     5  

Securities That May Be Offered

     5  

Description of Capital Stock

     5  

Description of Common Stock Warrants

     8  

Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees

     9  

Description of Units

     15  

Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of the Company’s Charter and Bylaws

     16  

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

     23  

Plan of Distribution

     38  

Legal Matters

     40  

Experts

     40  

Where You Can Find More Information

     40  

Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

     40  


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About This Prospectus

This prospectus is part of an automatic “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Under the automatic shelf registration process, we may, over time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. As allowed by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all the information you can find in the registration statement or the exhibits to the registration statement. Each time our securities are offered, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. We also may authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with an offering that may contain specific terms relating to that offering. The prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

This prospectus and certain of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus contain, and any accompanying prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus that we deliver to you may contain, summaries of information contained in documents that we have filed or will as exhibits to our SEC filings. Such summaries do not purport to be complete, and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, the actual documents filed with the SEC. You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus, together with the additional information described under the heading entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 40 of this prospectus and the heading “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” on page 40 of this prospectus.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any other documents incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of the applicable document. We are not making an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

In this prospectus, (a) the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, a Maryland corporation formerly known as Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, (b) the term “HR” refers only to Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated following the closing of the Merger (as defined and discussed in more detail below), (c) the term “OP” refers to Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership formerly known as Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP, (d) the terms “registrant” refers to Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated and Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., collectively, in each case unless the context otherwise requires, (e) the term “Legacy HTA” refers only to Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. prior to the closing of the Merger and (f) the term “Legacy HR” refers only to HRTI, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company formerly known as Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated prior to the closing of the Merger.

 

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Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, and can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “target,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “continue,” “should,” “could” and other comparable terms. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, that could significantly affect the Company’s current plans and expectations and future financial condition and results. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the following:

 

   

The Company may be unable to integrate the businesses of Legacy HR and Legacy HTA successfully and realize the anticipated synergies and related benefits of the Merger or do so within the anticipated timeframe;

 

   

The Company’s expected results may not be achieved;

 

   

The Company’s revenues depend on the ability of its tenants under its leases to generate sufficient income from their operations to make rental payments to the Company;

 

   

Pandemics, such as COVID-19 and other pandemics that may occur in the future, and measures intended to prevent their spread or mitigate their severity could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition;

 

   

Owning real estate and indirect interests in real estate is subject to inherent risks;

 

   

The Company may incur impairment charges on its real estate properties or other assets;

 

   

If the Company is unable to promptly re-let its properties, if the rates upon such re-letting are significantly lower than the previous rates or if the Company is required to undertake significant expenditures or make significant leasing concessions to attract new tenants, then the Company’s business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected;

 

   

Certain of the Company’s properties are special purpose healthcare facilities and may not be easily adaptable to other uses;

 

   

The Company has, and in the future may have more, exposure to fixed rent escalators, which could lag behind inflation and the growth in operating expenses such as real estate taxes, utilities, insurance, and maintenance expense;

 

   

The Company’s real estate investments are illiquid and the Company may not be able to sell properties strategically targeted for disposition;

 

   

The Company is subject to risks associated with the development and redevelopment of properties;

 

   

The Company may make material acquisitions and undertake developments and redevelopments that may involve the expenditure of significant funds and may not perform in accordance with management’s expectations;

 

   

The Company is exposed to risks associated with geographic concentration;

 

   

Many of the Company’s leases are dependent on the viability of associated health systems;

 

   

Many of the Company’s properties are held under ground leases containing provisions that may limit the Company’s ability to lease, sell, or finance these properties;

 

   

The Company may experience uninsured or underinsured losses;

 

   

Damage from catastrophic weather and other natural events, whether caused by climate change or otherwise, could result in losses to the Company;

 

   

The Company faces risks associated with security breaches through cyber attacks, cyber intrusions, or otherwise, as well as other significant disruptions of its information technology networks and related systems;

 

   

The Company has incurred significant debt obligations and may incur additional debt and increase leverage in the future;

 

   

Covenants in the Company’s debt instruments limit its operational flexibility, and a breach of these covenants could materially affect the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations;

 

   

If lenders under the Company’s unsecured credit facility fail to meet their funding commitments, the Company’s operations and consolidated financial position would be negatively impacted;

 

   

The unavailability of equity and debt capital, volatility in the credit markets, increases in interest rates, or changes in the Company’s debt ratings could have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to meet its debt payments, make dividend payments to stockholders or engage in acquisition and development activity;

 

   

Increases in interest rates could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s cost of capital;

 

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The Company’s swap agreements may not effectively reduce its exposure to changes in interest rates;

 

   

The Company has entered into joint venture agreements that limit its flexibility with respect to jointly owned properties and expects to enter into additional such agreements in the future;

 

   

The Company’s property taxes could increase due to reassessment or property tax rate changes;

 

   

Trends in the healthcare service industry may negatively affect the demand for the Company’s properties, lease revenues and the values of its investments;

 

   

The costs of complying with governmental laws and regulations may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations;

 

   

Qualifying as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) involves highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”);

 

   

If the Company fails to remain qualified as a REIT, the Company will be subject to significant adverse consequences, including adversely affecting the value of its common stock;

 

   

The Company’s articles of incorporation, as well as provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (“MGCL”), contain limits and restrictions on transferability of the Company’s common stock which may have adverse effects on the value of the Company’s common stock;

 

   

New legislation or administrative or judicial action, in each instance potentially with retroactive effect, could make it more difficult or impossible for the Company to qualify as a REIT; and

 

   

New and increased transfer tax rates may reduce the value of the Company’s properties.

We caution you that the factors listed above, as well as the risk factors included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, may not be exhaustive. The Company operates in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. We cannot predict such new risk factors, nor can we assess the impact, if any, of such new risk factors on our businesses or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on our behalf apply only as of the date of this prospectus and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in this prospectus. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by applicable securities laws. Stockholders and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in this prospectus.

Risk Factors

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, you should carefully review the risk factors and other information included and incorporated by reference in the applicable prospectus supplement when determining whether or not to purchase the securities offered under this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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The Company

The Company is a self-managed and self-administered REIT that owns, leases, manages, acquires, finances, develops and redevelops income-producing real estate properties associated primarily with the delivery of outpatient healthcare services throughout the United States.

The Company operates so as to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, the Company is not subject to corporate federal income tax with respect to taxable income distributed to its stockholders.

On July 20, 2022, pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of February 28, 2022 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Legacy HR, Legacy HTA, the OP, and HR Acquisition 2, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company (“Merger Sub”), Merger Sub merged with and into Legacy HR, with Legacy HR continuing as the surviving entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legacy HTA (the “Merger”). Immediately following the Merger, Legacy HR converted to a Maryland limited liability company and changed its name to “HRTI, LLC” and Legacy HTA changed its name to “Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated.” In addition, the equity interests of Legacy HR were contributed by means of a contribution and assignment agreement to the OP, and Legacy HR became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the OP. As a result, Legacy HR became a part of an umbrella partnership REIT structure. The combined company operates under the name “Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated” and its shares of Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“common stock”), trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “HR”.

For accounting purposes, the Merger was treated as a “reverse acquisition” in which Legacy HR was considered the accounting acquirer. As a result, the historical financial statements of the accounting acquirer, Legacy HR, became the historical financial statements of the Company. The Company’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 reflect the financial position and results of operations of Legacy HR prior to July 20, 2022 and the combined company after giving effect to the Merger from July 20, 2022 through December 31, 2022. Periodic reports for periods ending following the Merger reflect financial and other information of the combined company. The Merger was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business Combinations, which requires, among other things, the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed to be recognized at their acquisition date fair value.

We conduct substantially all of our operations through the OP, which is 98.8% owned by the Company as of June 30, 2023. The OP has issued unsecured notes described in Note 10 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. All unsecured notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company. HR and the OP have filed the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part to register, among other securities, additional debt securities that may be issued by the OP, which will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by HR. See “Description of Debt Securities and Related Guarantees.”

As permitted under applicable SEC rules, the Company has excluded the summarized financial information for the OP because the assets, liabilities, and results of operations of the OP are not materially different than the corresponding amounts presented in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the Company believes such summarized financial information would be repetitive and would not provide incremental value to investors. Additionally, applicable SEC rules permit subsidiary issuers of obligations guaranteed by the parent company to omit separate financial statements if the consolidated financial statements of the parent company have been filed, the subsidiary obligor is a consolidated subsidiary of the parent company, the guaranteed security is debt or debt-like, and the security is guaranteed fully and unconditionally by the parent company. Accordingly, separate consolidated financial statements of the OP have not been presented.

Our corporate offices are located at 3310 West End Avenue, Suite 700, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. Our telephone number is (615) 269-8175.

Selling Stockholders

We may register shares of common stock covered by this prospectus for re-offers and resales by any selling stockholders named in a prospectus supplement. Selling stockholders may resell all, a portion or none of their shares at any time and from time to time. Selling stockholders may also sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of some or all of their shares of our common stock in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. We do not know when or in what amounts the selling stockholders may offer shares for sale under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We may pay all expenses incurred with respect to the registration of the shares of common stock owned by the selling stockholders, other

 

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than underwriting fees, discounts or commissions, which will be borne by the selling stockholders. We will file a prospectus supplement naming the selling stockholder(s), the amount of shares to be registered and sold and any other terms of the shares of common stock being sold by the selling stockholder(s).

Use of Proceeds

Unless otherwise specified in any applicable prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of indebtedness and investment in healthcare-related properties.

Unless otherwise described in any applicable prospectus supplement, we will not receive the proceeds from sales of securities by selling stockholders, if any.

Securities That May Be Offered

We, directly or through agents, dealers or underwriters that we may designate, may offer and sell, from time to time, an unspecified amount of:

 

 

Shares of our common stock;

 

 

Warrants to purchase shares of our common stock;

 

 

Shares of our preferred stock;

 

 

Our debt securities, which may be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities;

 

 

Guarantees of our debt securities; or

 

 

Units consisting of two or more of these classes or series of securities.

We may issue debt securities and/or preferred stock that are exchangeable for and/or convertible into common stock or any of the other securities that may be sold under this prospectus.

When particular securities are offered, a prospectus supplement will be delivered with this prospectus, which will describe the terms of the offering and sale of the offered securities. In addition, selling stockholders to be named in a prospectus supplement may offer and sell shares of our common stock from time to time in such amounts as set forth in a prospectus supplement.

Description of Capital Stock

The following description of our common stock and preferred stock, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the common shares and preferred shares that may be offered under this prospectus. The following description of our shares of capital stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the Company’s charter and bylaws and all applicable provisions of Maryland law. The charter and bylaws are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The particular terms of any offering of our securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such offering. The terms “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” as such terms are used in the following description of common shares and preferred shares refer to Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, and not any of its subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.

General

We are authorized to issue an aggregate of 1,200,000,000 shares of capital stock, which may include 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share, all of which are classified as Class A common stock, and 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.01 per share. As of August 1, 2023, approximately 380,857,532 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding.

Common Stock

All shares of the Company’s common stock have equal rights as to earnings, assets, dividends and voting. Subject to the charter restrictions on the transfer and ownership of the Company’s stock and the preferential rights of holders of any other class or series of stock, distributions may be made to the holders of the common stock if, as and when authorized by the board

 

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of directors out of funds legally available therefor. Shares of common stock generally have no preemptive, preferential exchange, conversion, sinking fund or redemption rights and are freely transferable, except where their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws, by contract or by the restrictions in the charter. Holders of shares of common stock have no appraisal rights unless the board of directors determines that appraisal rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which stockholders would otherwise be entitled to exercise appraisal rights. In the event of the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of the Company’s assets that are legally available for distribution after payment of or adequate provision for all of the Company’s known debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of the Company’s preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time, and the charter restrictions on the transfer and ownership of stock. Subject to the charter restrictions on the transfer and ownership of the Company’s stock and except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series of common stock, each share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as may be provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of common stock will possess exclusive voting power. Holders of all classes of common stock will vote together as a single class.

Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot amend its charter, consolidate or merge with, or convert to, another entity, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or dissolve unless the action is advised by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast with respect to such matter. However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast with respect to such matter. As permitted by Maryland law, the Company’s charter provides that any of these actions may be approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast with respect to such matter. In addition, all other matters to be voted on by stockholders, other than a contested election of directors (in which case directors shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote on the election of directors present in person or by proxy at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present) and amendment of the Company’s bylaws by stockholders (which requires approval by a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter), must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by stockholders, voting together as a single class, at a meeting at which a quorum is present, subject to any voting rights granted to holders of any then outstanding preferred stock. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock can elect all of the Company’s directors.

Preferred Stock

The Company’s charter authorizes the board of directors to designate and issue one or more classes or series of preferred stock without stockholder approval, and to establish the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of each class or series of preferred stock so issued. Because the board of directors has the power to establish the preferences and rights of each class or series of preferred stock, it may afford the holders of any class or series of preferred stock preferences, powers and rights senior to the rights of holders of common stock. If the Company ever created and issued preferred stock with a distribution preference over common stock, payment of any distribution preferences of outstanding preferred stock would reduce the amount of funds available for the payment of distributions on the common stock. Further, holders of preferred stock are normally entitled to receive a liquidation preference in the event the Company liquidates, dissolves or winds up before any payment is made to the common stockholders, likely reducing the amount common stockholders would otherwise receive upon such an occurrence. In addition, under certain circumstances, the issuance of preferred stock may render more difficult or tend to discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of the Company’s securities, or the removal of incumbent management.

Power to Reclassify Unissued Shares of Stock

The charter authorizes the board of directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of common or preferred stock into other classes or series of shares of stock, so long as the aggregate number of all shares of all classes or series of stock that the board of directors has authority to issue does not exceed the total number of authorized shares of common and preferred stock as provided in the charter. Prior to the issuance of shares of each class or series, the board of directors is required by Maryland law and by the charter to set, subject to the charter restrictions on transfer and ownership of shares of stock, the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series. Therefore, the board of directors could

 

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authorize the issuance of shares of common or preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control or other transaction that might involve a premium price for the Company’s shares of common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of the Company’s stockholders. No shares of preferred stock are presently outstanding, and we have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

Power to Increase or Decrease Authorized Shares of Common Stock and Issue Additional Shares of Common and Preferred Stock

We believe that the power of the board of directors to amend the charter from time to time to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of stock or the number of authorized shares of stock of any class or series, to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of common or preferred stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of common or preferred stock and thereafter to issue such classified or reclassified shares of stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs that might arise. The additional classes or series, as well as the shares of common stock, will be available for issuance without further action by the Company’s stockholders, unless such action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or market system on which the Company’s securities may be listed or traded. Therefore, the board of directors could authorize the Company to issue a class or series that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a change in control or other transaction that might involve a premium price for the Company’s shares of common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of its stockholders.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Shares

In order for us to continue to qualify as a REIT, not more than 50% of the Company’s outstanding shares may be owned by any five or fewer individuals during the last half of any taxable year. In addition, the outstanding shares must be owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a 12-month taxable year or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” for further discussion of this topic. We may prohibit certain acquisitions and transfers of shares so as to ensure our continued qualification as a REIT under the Code. However, we cannot assure you that this prohibition will be effective.

The charter contains a limitation on ownership that prohibits any individual, entity or group from directly or indirectly acquiring beneficial ownership of more than 9.8% of the value of the Company’s then aggregate outstanding shares of stock of any class or series (which includes common stock and any preferred stock the Company may issue) or more than 9.8% of the value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the Company’s then outstanding common stock.

Any attempted transfer of the Company’s stock which, if effective, would result in the Company’s stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons will be null and void. Any attempted transfer of the Company’s stock which, if effective, would result in violation of the ownership limits discussed above or in the Company being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT, will cause the number of shares causing the violation (rounded up to the nearest whole share) to be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and the proposed transferee will not acquire any rights in the shares. The automatic transfer will be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the transfer. We will designate a trustee of the share trust that will not be affiliated with us. We will also name one or more charitable organizations as a beneficiary of the share trust. Shares-in-trust will remain issued and outstanding shares and will be entitled to the same rights and privileges as all other shares of the same class or series. The trustee will receive all distributions on the shares-in-trust and will hold such distributions in trust for the benefit of the beneficiary. The trustee will vote all shares-in-trust during the period they are held in trust and, subject to Maryland law, will have the authority to rescind as void any vote cast by the proposed transferee prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the share trust and to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary.

The trustee of the trust will be empowered to sell the shares-in-trust to a qualified person selected by the trustee and to distribute to the applicable prohibited owner an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the sales proceeds received by the trust for such shares-in-trust or (2) (A) if the prohibited owner was a transferee for value, the price paid by the prohibited owner for such shares-in-trust or (B) if the prohibited owner was not a transferee or was a transferee but did not give value for the shares-in-trust, the market price on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in trust. In addition, all shares-in-trust will be deemed to have been offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the price per share in the transaction that created such shares-in-trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price of such shares

 

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at the time of such devise or gift) and (2) the market price on the date we, or our designee, accept such offer. The trustee or we may reduce the amount payable to the prohibited owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions that have been paid to the prohibited owner and are owed by the prohibited owner to the trustee. Any amount received by the trustee in excess of the amount to be paid to the prohibited owner will be distributed to the beneficiary of the trust.

Any person who acquires shares in violation of the foregoing restrictions or who would have owned shares that resulted in a transfer to any such trust is required to give immediate written notice to us of such event. Any person who proposes or attempts such a transaction must give us at least 15 days prior written notice. Such person shall provide to us such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such transfer on our qualification as a REIT.

The foregoing restrictions continue to apply until the board of directors determines it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to, or to continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance is no longer required for REIT qualification.

The board of directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a person from the limitation on ownership of more than 9.8% of the value of the Company’s then aggregate outstanding shares of stock of any class or series (which includes common stock and any preferred stock the Company may issue) or more than 9.8% of the value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the Company’s then outstanding common stock. However, the board of directors may not exempt any person whose ownership of the Company’s outstanding stock would result in the Company being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise would result in our failing to qualify as a REIT. In order to be considered by the board of directors for exemption, a person also must not own, directly or indirectly, an interest in any of our tenants (or a tenant of any entity which we own or control) that would cause us to own, directly or indirectly, more than a 9.9% interest in the tenant. The person seeking an exemption must represent to the satisfaction of the board of directors that it will not violate these two restrictions. The person also must agree that any violation or attempted violation of these restrictions will result in the automatic transfer of the shares of stock causing the violation to the share trust.

Any stockholder of record who owns more than 5.0% (or such lower level as required by the Code and the regulations thereunder) of the outstanding shares during any taxable year will be asked to deliver a statement or affidavit setting forth the name and address of such record owner, the number of shares beneficially owned by such stockholder, a description of the manner in which such shares are held and such additional information regarding the beneficial ownership of the shares as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such actual or beneficial ownership on our qualification as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limits. In addition, any person who is a beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of our stock and any person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of our stock for a beneficial owner or constructive owner must, on request, disclose to us in writing such information as we may request in order to determine our status as a REIT or to comply, or determine our compliance, with the requirements of any taxing or governmental authority.

Transfer Agent and Exchange Listing

Computershare Investor Services is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock. Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “HR”.

Description of Common Stock Warrants

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock. Common stock warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities pursuant to any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from such securities. Each series of common stock warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and the warrant recipient or, if the recipients are numerous, a warrant agent identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent, if engaged, will act solely as our agent in connection with the common stock warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of common stock warrants. Further terms of the common stock warrants and the applicable warrant agreements will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees

This summary, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities of the Company and the debt securities of the OP that we may offer under this prospectus. For purposes hereof, references to the issuer means the Company or the OP, as applicable. While the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future debt securities we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below.

The debt securities may be either secured or unsecured and will either be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The issuer will issue senior notes under a senior indenture among the issuer, the guarantor(s) named therein, if any, and one or more trustees. The issuer will issue subordinated notes under a subordinated indenture among the issuer, the guarantor(s) named therein, if any, and one or more trustees. We will file forms of these documents as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We use the term “indentures” to refer to both the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture.

The indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). We also use the term “debenture trustee” to refer to either the senior trustee or the subordinated trustee, as applicable.

The following summaries of the material provisions of the senior notes, the subordinated notes and the indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the debt securities that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete indentures that contain the terms of the debt securities. Except as we may otherwise indicate, the terms of the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are identical.

General

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms relating to a series of debt securities, including, to the extent applicable:

 

   

the issuer;

 

   

the title;

 

   

the principal amount being offered and, if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding;

 

   

any limit on the amount that may be issued;

 

   

whether or not the issuer will issue the series of debt securities in global form and, if so, the terms and who the depositary will be;

 

   

the maturity date;

 

   

the principal amount due at maturity and whether the debt securities will be issued with any original issue discount;

 

   

whether and under what circumstances, if any, the issuer will pay additional amounts on any debt securities held by a person who is not a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and whether the issuer can redeem the debt securities if the issuer has to pay such additional amounts;

 

   

the annual interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate, the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;

 

   

whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;

 

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whether or not the debt securities will be senior or subordinated, and the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt;

 

   

the place where payments will be payable;

 

   

restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;

 

   

the issuer’s right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;

 

   

the date, if any, after which, the conditions upon which, and the price at which the issuer may, at its option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions, and any other applicable terms of those redemption provisions;

 

   

provisions for a sinking fund, purchase or other analogous fund, if any;

 

   

the date, if any, on which, and the price at which the issuer is obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities;

 

   

the guarantor(s), if any, who will guarantee the debt securities and the methods for determining, and releasing, such guarantor(s), if any;

 

   

whether the indenture will restrict the ability of the issuer, the guarantor(s), if any, and/or their respective subsidiaries to:

 

   

incur additional indebtedness;

 

   

issue additional securities;

 

   

create liens;

 

   

pay dividends and make distributions in respect of capital stock;

 

   

redeem capital stock;

 

   

place restrictions on subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make distributions or transfer assets;

 

   

make investments or other restricted payments;

 

   

sell or otherwise dispose of assets;

 

   

enter into sale-leaseback transactions;

 

   

engage in transactions with stockholders and affiliates;

 

   

issue or sell stock of subsidiaries; or

 

   

effect a consolidation or merger;

 

   

whether the indenture will require the issuer to maintain any interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios;

 

   

a discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities;

 

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information describing any book-entry features;

 

   

the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;

 

   

the denominations in which the issuer will issue the series of debt securities, if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

   

if other than U.S. dollars, the currency in which the series of debt securities will be denominated; and

 

   

any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, including any events of default that are in addition to those described in this prospectus or any covenants provided with respect to the debt securities that are in addition to those described above, and any terms which may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the debt securities.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

If applicable, we will set forth in the corresponding prospectus supplements the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for securities of the issuer or a third party, including the conversion or exchange rate, as applicable, or how it will be calculated, and the applicable conversion or exchange period. We will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at the issuer’s option. If applicable, we may include provisions pursuant to which the number of the issuer’s securities or the securities of a third party that the holders of the series of debt securities receive upon conversion or exchange would, under the circumstances described in those provisions, be subject to adjustment, or pursuant to which those holders would, under those circumstances, receive other property upon conversion or exchange, for example in the event of the issuer’s merger or consolidation with another entity.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

The indentures will permit the issuer upon satisfaction of certain conditions to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the issuer’s assets. However, any successor of the issuer or acquirer of such assets must assume all of the issuer’s obligations under the indentures and the debt securities.

If the debt securities are convertible into other securities, the person with whom the issuer consolidates or merges or to whom the issuer sells all of its property must make provisions for the conversion of the debt securities into securities which the holders of the debt securities would have received if they had converted the debt securities before the consolidation, merger or sale.

Neither the MGCL nor the Company’s or the OP’s governing documents define the term “substantially all” as it relates to the sale of assets. Additionally, Maryland cases interpreting the term “substantially all” rely upon the facts and circumstances of each particular case. Consequently, to determine whether a sale of “substantially all” of the issuer’s assets has occurred, a holder of debt securities must review the financial and other information that we disclosed to the public. The charter contains restrictions on ownership and transfers of the Company’s stock that are designed, among other purposes, to preserve our status as a REIT and to otherwise address concerns about concentration of ownership of the Company’s stock, and, therefore, it may prevent or hinder a change of control. See “Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Shares.”

Events of Default Under the Indentures

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following are events of default under the indentures with respect to any series of debt securities:

 

   

if the issuer fails to pay any installment of interest when due and payable and our failure continues for 30 days;

 

   

if the issuer fails to pay the principal, or premium, if any, or to make payment required by any sinking fund or analogous fund when due and payable and the time for payment has not been validly extended;

 

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if the issuer fails to observe or perform any other covenant contained in the debt securities or the indentures and such failure continues for 60 days after the issuer receives notice from the debenture trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series;

 

   

if the issuer fails to pay any indebtedness in an outstanding principal in excess of a particular monetary threshold at final maturity or upon acceleration after the expiration of any applicable grace period, and the indebtedness is not discharged, or such default in payment or acceleration is not cured or rescinded within 30 days after written notice; and

 

   

if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.

If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the debenture trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by notice to the issuer in writing (and to the debenture trustee if notice is given by such holders), declare the unpaid principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to the issuer, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each series of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the debenture trustee or any holder.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive all default or events of default with respect to the series and its consequences, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal or interest that have become due solely because of such acceleration, unless the issuer has cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture.

Subject to the terms of the indentures, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the debenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the debenture trustee indemnification reasonably satisfactory to it in its sole discretion. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the debenture trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the debenture trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:

 

   

such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with the applicable indenture;

 

   

the debenture trustee may take any other action which is not inconsistent with such direction;

 

   

the debenture trustee may decline to take any action that would benefit some holders of the debt securities in the applicable indenture to the detriment of other holders of the debt securities or otherwise be unduly prejudicial to the holders of the debt securities not joining therein; and

 

   

the debenture trustee may decline to take any action that would involve the debenture trustee in personal liability.

The issuer will periodically deliver certificates of an officer with the debenture trustee certifying whether or not the officer has knowledge of default under the applicable indenture and, if so, specifying each default and the nature and status thereof.

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

The issuer, any guarantor and the debenture trustee may modify an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters, including, without limitation:

 

   

to evidence a successor to the issuer as obligor or to a guarantor as guarantor under the applicable indenture;

 

   

to add to the covenants of the issuer or the guarantor for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the issuer or the guarantor in the applicable indenture or in the debt securities;

 

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to add events of default for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities;

 

   

to amend or supplement any provisions of the applicable indenture; provided, that no amendment or supplement shall materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of any debt securities then outstanding;

 

   

to secure the debt securities;

 

   

to provide for the acceptance of appointment of a successor debenture trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the applicable indenture by more than one debenture trustee;

 

   

to provide for rights of holders of the debt securities if any consolidation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of property or assets of the issuer and a guarantor occurs;

 

   

to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the applicable indenture; provided, that this action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the debt securities in any material respect;

 

   

to provide for the issuance of additional debt securities in accordance with the limitations set forth in the applicable indenture;

 

   

to supplement any of the provisions of the applicable indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any of the debt securities; provided, that the action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the debt securities in any material respect; or

 

   

to conform the text of the applicable indenture, any guarantee or the debt securities to any provision of the description thereof set forth in a prospectus supplement to the extent that such provision in a prospectus supplement was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision in the applicable indenture, any guarantee or the debt securities.

In addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of debt securities of any series may be changed by the issuer and the debenture trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities; provided, however, that no modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each series of debt securities affected thereby:

 

   

change the stated maturity of the principal of or any installment of interest on the debt securities, reduce the principal amount of, or the rate or amount of interest on, or any premium payable on redemption of, the debt securities, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the holder of the debt securities, change the place of payment, or the coin or currency, for payment of principal of or interest on any of series of debt securities or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities necessary to modify or amend the applicable indenture, to waive compliance with certain provisions of the applicable indenture or certain defaults and their consequences provided in the applicable indenture, or to reduce the requirements of quorum or change voting requirements set forth in the applicable indenture;

 

   

modify or affect in any manner adverse to the holders the terms and conditions of the obligations of the issuer or any guarantor in respect of the due and punctual payments of principal and interest; or

 

   

modify any of the foregoing provisions or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of certain past defaults or certain covenants, except to increase the required percentage to effect the action or to provide that certain other provisions may not be modified or waived without the consent of the holders of the debt securities.

 

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Discharge

The indentures provide that the issuer can elect to be discharged from its obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for certain obligations that shall survive, including obligations to:

 

   

register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;

 

   

replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities of the series;

 

   

furnish to the debenture trustee periodically lists of names and addresses of the holders of debt securities; and

 

   

execute and deliver temporary debt securities.

In order to exercise its rights to be discharged, the issuer must deposit with the debenture trustee money, sufficient to pay all of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due, and deliver to the debenture trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

The issuer will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The indentures will provide that the issuer may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, or another depositary named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement with respect to that series.

At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

Subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplements, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by the issuer or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by the issuer for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, the issuer will not impose a service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the issuer may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges applicable to or associated with such registration of transfer or exchange.

We will name in the applicable prospectus supplements the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that the issuer initially designates for any debt securities. The issuer may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that the issuer will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

Guarantees

If the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities of the OP provides that such debt securities will have the benefit of a guarantee by the Company, then such debt securities will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company.

In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of the non-guarantor subsidiaries of the issuer, the non-guarantor subsidiaries will pay the holders of their debt and their trade creditors before they will be able to distribute any of their assets to the issuer. The guarantees will be general obligations of each guarantor. The guarantees will be joint and several obligations of the guarantors. If a series of debt securities is so guaranteed, a supplemental indenture to the applicable

 

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base indenture will be executed by each guarantor. The obligations of each guarantor under its guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law. A guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge into another company, other than an issuer or another guarantor, unless the person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or the person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger assumes all of the obligations of that guarantor pursuant to a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the applicable trustee, and only if immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default would exist. The terms of any guarantee and the conditions upon which any guarantor may be released from its obligations under that guarantee will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Information Concerning the Debenture Trustee

The debenture trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the debenture trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the debenture trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indentures at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, the issuer will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

The issuer will pay principal of, and any premium and interest on, the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by the issuer, except that, unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, the issuer may make certain payments by check which the issuer will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in a prospectus supplement, the issuer will designate an office or agency of the debenture trustee in the city of New York as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that the issuer initially designates for the debt securities of a particular series. The issuer will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

All money the issuer pays to a paying agent or the debenture trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities which remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to the issuer, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to the issuer for payment thereof.

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of the issuer’s other indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement. Additional or different subordination provisions may be described in a prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities.

Description of Units

We may offer units under this prospectus, which consist of an interest in two or more classes of securities offered hereby. While the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future units we may offer pursuant to this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any units that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplements. The terms of any units we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below.

 

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The applicable prospectus supplements relating to any units that we offer will include specific terms of any offering of units for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following, to the extent applicable:

 

   

the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

   

whether we will apply to have the units traded on a securities exchange or securities quotation system;

 

   

a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and

 

   

how, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the purchase price paid for the units is to be allocated among the component securities.

The description in the applicable prospectus supplements of any units that we may offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable unit agreement, which will be filed with the SEC in connection therewith.

Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of the Company’s Charter and Bylaws

The following is a summary of certain provisions of Maryland law and of the Company’s charter and bylaws. While we believe that the following description covers the material aspects of these provisions, the description may not contain all of the information that is important to you. We encourage you to read carefully this entire prospectus, the charter and bylaws and the relevant provisions of Maryland law for a more complete understanding of these provisions. Copies of the charter and bylaws are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and the following summary, to the extent it relates to those documents, is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Number of Directors; Vacancies

The charter provides that the number of directors will not be fewer than three, nor more than 15. The bylaws provide that a majority of the Company’s entire board of directors may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors, provided that the total number of directors will not be fewer than the minimum number required by the MGCL or the charter, nor more than 15. Currently there are 13 directors serving on the board of directors.

The charter and bylaws provide that, except as may be provided by the board of directors in setting the terms of any class or series of stock, any and all vacancies on the board of directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any individual elected to fill such vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is duly elected and qualifies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the charter provides that independent directors will nominate replacements for vacancies among the independent directors’ positions.

Annual Elections

Each of the Company’s directors is elected by the Company’s stockholders to serve for a one-year term and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. Directors in uncontested elections are elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast for and against such nominee at a duly called meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present, and directors in contested elections are elected by a plurality of all votes cast.

Removal of Directors

The charter provides that, subject to the rights, if any, of holders of any class or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, a director may be removed by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.

 

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Calling of Special Meetings of Stockholders

The charter and bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called by the board of directors, the independent directors, the chairman of the board of directors or the Company’s president or chief executive officer and must be called by the Company’s secretary to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting (subject to the stockholders’ compliance with certain procedures set forth in the bylaws).

Action by Stockholders

According to the bylaws, the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast for and against such nominee at a meeting of stockholders duly called at which a quorum is present shall be required to elect a director in uncontested elections, and a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may properly come before a meeting, unless more than a majority of votes cast is required by the MGCL, the charter or the bylaws. These provisions, combined with the requirements of the bylaws regarding advance notice of nominations and other business to be considered at a meeting of stockholders discussed below and the calling of a stockholder-requested special meeting of stockholders discussed above, may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal. Common stockholders may take action without a meeting only if a unanimous consent setting forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each common stockholder entitled to vote on the matter.

Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals

The bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to the board of directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (i) pursuant to our notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (iii) by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by such stockholder as provided for in the bylaws and at the time of the annual meeting and who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with the advance notice procedures and provided the information required by the bylaws. With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in the notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the board of directors at a special meeting may be made only (i) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (ii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with the bylaws for the purpose of electing directors, by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by such stockholder as provided for in the bylaws and at the time of the special meeting, and who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the advance notice provisions and provided the information required by the bylaws.

The purpose of requiring stockholders to give the Company advance notice of nominations and other business is to afford the board of directors a meaningful opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees and the advisability of any other proposed business and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by the board of directors, to inform stockholders and make recommendations about such nominees or business. Although the bylaws do not give the board of directors any power to disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals recommending certain action, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to the Company and its stockholders.

Approval of Extraordinary Corporate Actions, Amendment of Charter

Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot amend its charter, consolidate or merge with, or convert to, another entity, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or dissolve unless the action is declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast with respect to such matter. However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast with respect to such matter. As permitted by Maryland law, the charter provides that any of these actions may be approved by the stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

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Proxy Access

The bylaws include provisions permitting, subject to certain eligibility, procedural and disclosure requirements, qualifying stockholders, or a qualifying group of no more than 20 stockholders, who have maintained continuous ownership of at least 3% of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock for at least three years to require us to include in our proxy materials for an annual meeting of stockholders a number of director nominees not to exceed the greater of two nominees or 20% of the number of directors up for election.

Amendment of Bylaws

The board of directors has the power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of the bylaws and to make new bylaws. In addition, stockholders may alter or repeal any provision of the bylaws and adopt new bylaws, in each case to the extent permitted by and consistent with the charter, the bylaws and applicable law, with the approval of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

No Stockholder Rights Plan

The Company has no stockholder rights plan. In the future, the Company does not intend to adopt a stockholder rights plan unless its stockholders approve in advance the adoption of a plan or, if adopted by the board of directors, the Company submits the stockholder rights plan to its stockholders for a ratification vote within 12 months of adoption or the plan will terminate.

Business Combinations

Under the MGCL, certain “business combinations” (including a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in certain circumstances, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder (defined as any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock or an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding stock of the corporation), or an affiliate of an interested stockholder, in either case after the date on which the corporation had 100 or more beneficial owners of stock, are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. The board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance with any terms and conditions determined by it.

Any such business combination entered into after the five-year prohibition must be recommended by the board of directors of such corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least (i) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation and (ii) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom (or with whose affiliate) the business combination is to be effected, unless, among other conditions, the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price (as defined in the MGCL) for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.

These provisions of the MGCL do not apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by a board of directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. The board of directors has adopted a resolution exempting any business combination between the Company and any other person or entity from the business combination provisions of the MGCL, provided that such business combination is first approved by the board of directors.

As a result, any person may be able to enter into business combinations with the Company that may not be in the best interests of our stockholders without compliance by the Company with the supermajority vote requirements and other provisions of the statute. This resolution, however, may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time. If this resolution is repealed, or the board of directors does not otherwise approve a business combination, the statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of the Company and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

 

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Control Share Acquisitions

The MGCL provides that holders of “control shares” of a Maryland corporation acquired in a “control share acquisition” have no voting rights except to the extent approved at a special meeting by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares of stock of a corporation in respect of which any of the following persons is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise of the voting power of shares of stock of the corporation in the election of directors: (i) a person who makes or proposes to make a control share acquisition, (ii) an officer of the corporation or (iii) an employee of the corporation who is also a director of the corporation. “Control shares” are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other such shares of stock previously acquired by the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power: (i) one-tenth or more but less than one-third, (ii) one-third or more but less than a majority, or (iii) a majority or more of all voting power. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A “control share acquisition” means the acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of certain conditions (including an undertaking to pay expenses), may compel the board of directors to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the corporation may redeem any or all of the control shares (except those for which voting rights have previously been approved) for fair value determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or, if a meeting of stockholders is held at which the voting rights of such shares are considered and not approved, as of the date of the meeting. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.

The control share acquisition statute does not apply to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transactions or to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.

The bylaws exempt any and all acquisitions of shares of the Company’s stock from the control share acquisition statute. According to the bylaws, this exemption may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided in any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent share acquisition.

Certain Elective Provisions of Maryland Law

Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL (“Subtitle 8”) permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors who are not officers or employees of the corporation or affiliated with an acquiring person, to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any of (i) a classified board, (ii) a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director, (iii) a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the directors, (iv) a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred, or (v) a majority requirement for the calling of a stockholder-requested special meeting of stockholders. Pursuant to Subtitle 8, the Company has elected that, except as may be provided by the board of directors in setting the terms of any class or series of stock, any and all vacancies on the board of directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any individual elected to fill such vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is duly elected and qualifies. Through provisions in the Charter and Bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, the Company requires, unless called by the board of directors, the Company’s independent directors, the chairman of the board of directors or the Company’s president or chief executive

 

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officer, the written request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders to call a special meeting to act on such matter. Pursuant to a resolution adopted by the board of directors, the Company is prohibited from classifying the board under Subtitle 8 unless stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors approve a proposal to repeal such resolution by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter. However, the board of directors could elect to provide for any of the remaining provisions.

Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of the Charter and Bylaws

The provisions of the MGCL, the charter and the bylaws described above could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control of the Company that might involve a premium price for holders of the common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of the Company’s stockholders. Likewise, if the board of directors were to opt in to the business combination provisions of the MGCL or certain of the provisions of Subtitle 8 or if the provision in the bylaws opting out of the control share acquisition provisions of the MGCL were amended or rescinded, these provisions of the MGCL could have similar anti-takeover effects.

Interested Director and Officer Transactions

Pursuant to the MGCL, a contract or other transaction between the Company and a director or between the Company and any other corporation or other entity in which any of the Company’s directors is a director or has a material financial interest is not void or voidable solely on the grounds of such common directorship or interest, the presence of such director at the meeting at which the contract or transaction is authorized, approved or ratified or the counting of the director’s vote in favor thereof, if:

 

   

the fact of the common directorship or interest is disclosed or known to the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors, and the board of directors or such committee authorizes, approves or ratifies the transaction or contract by the affirmative vote of a majority of disinterested directors, even if the disinterested directors constitute less than a quorum;

 

   

the fact of the common directorship or interest is disclosed or known to the Company’s stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the transaction or contract is authorized, approved or ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote, excluding votes cast by the interested director or corporation or other entity; or

 

   

the transaction or contract is fair and reasonable to the Company.

Purchase and Lease of Assets. The charter provides that the Company may purchase or lease assets from an officer or director or affiliate thereof upon a finding by a majority of directors, including a majority of independent directors, not otherwise interested in the transaction that such transaction is fair and reasonable to the Company and at a price no greater than the cost of the asset to such officer, director or affiliate thereof or, if the price to the Company is in excess of such cost, that substantial justification for such excess exists and such excess is reasonable. In no event shall the purchase price of any property to the Company exceed its current appraised value. In addition, the charter provides that an officer, director or affiliate thereof may purchase or lease assets from the Company only upon a finding by a majority of directors, including a majority of the independent directors, not otherwise interested in the transaction, that such transaction is fair and reasonable to the Company and at a price no less than its current appraised value.

Other Transactions. The charter also provides that we will not engage in any other transaction with an officer, director or affiliate thereof unless a majority of directors, including a majority of independent directors, not otherwise interested in such transaction approve such transaction as fair and reasonable to the Company and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Company than those available from unaffiliated third parties. The charter prohibits the Company from making loans to an officer, director or affiliate thereof except certain mortgages or loans to the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries. In addition, the Company’s officers and directors and any affiliates thereof may not make loans to the Company, or to joint ventures in which the Company is a co-venturer, unless approved by a majority of directors, including a majority of independent directors, not otherwise interested in such transaction as fair, competitive, and commercially reasonable, and no less favorable to the Company than comparable loans between unaffiliated parties.

 

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Indemnification and Limitation of Directors’ and Officers’ Liability

The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for (a) liability resulting from actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established in a judgment or other final adjudication as being material to the cause of action. The charter contains such a provision that allows the Company to eliminate the liability of its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

The MGCL permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that:

 

   

the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;

 

   

the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or

 

   

in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.

However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify a director or officer for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or if the director or officer was adjudged to be liable to the corporation nor may a director be indemnified in circumstances in which the director is found liable for an improper personal benefit, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses.

In addition, the MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of:

 

   

a written affirmation by the director or officer of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation; and

 

   

a written undertaking by the director or officer or on the director’s or officer’s behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the director or officer did not meet the standard of conduct.

The bylaws obligate the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and to pay, reimburse or advance reasonable expenses to:

 

   

any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or

 

   

any individual who, while a director or officer of the Company and at the Company’s request, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager of another corporation, REIT, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity.

The bylaws also permit the Company, with the approval of its board of directors, to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of the Company in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of the Company or a predecessor of the Company.

In addition, the Company’s directors and officers are indemnified for specified liabilities and expenses pursuant to the partnership agreement of the OP, the partnership in which the Company serves as sole general partner.

Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons controlling the Company for liability arising under the Securities Act, the Company has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

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The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers whereby the Company indemnifies such directors and executive officers against all expenses and liabilities, and agrees to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding if such director or executive officer is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law, subject to limited exceptions. These indemnification agreements also provide that, upon an application for indemnity by a director or executive officer to a court of appropriate jurisdiction, such court may order the Company to indemnify such director or executive officer.

REIT Qualification

The charter provides that the board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate the Company’s REIT election, without approval of the Company’s stockholders, if it determines that it is no longer in the Company’s best interests to continue to qualify as a REIT.

 

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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations generally relating to the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT and to the ownership and disposition of the Company’s common stock by a stockholder. This discussion is based upon the Code, Treasury Regulations and published court and administrative rulings and decisions, all as in effect on the date of this prospectus, and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, and to differing interpretations. Any such change could affect the accuracy of the statements and conclusions set forth in this discussion. The Company does not expect to seek a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, regarding any of the U.S. federal income tax issues discussed herein, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any described herein. This summary is intended to provide stockholders with general information only and is not, and is not intended to be, a substitute for careful tax planning. This discussion assumes that holders of the Company’s common stock hold such common stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). Moreover, this discussion does not purport to address (i) any U.S. federal tax consequences other than income tax consequences (such as estate, gift or other non-income tax consequences, Medicare contribution tax on net investment income or consequences that may arise under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (including the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and intergovernmental agreements entered into pursuant thereto or in connection therewith)), (ii) any state, local or foreign income or non-income tax consequences, or (iii) tax reporting requirements, in each case, as applicable to the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT and the ownership and disposition of Company’s common stock by a stockholder. In addition, this discussion does not address U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to holders of shares of the Company’s common stock that are subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, including, for example:

 

   

a bank or other financial institution;

 

   

a pension plan or other tax-exempt organization (except to the extent discussed below);

 

   

a partnership or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an S corporation or other pass-through entity (or an investor therein);

 

   

an insurance company;

 

   

a regulated investment company or REIT;

 

   

a dealer or broker in stocks and securities, or currencies;

 

   

a trader in securities that elects mark-to-market treatment;

 

   

a person that is subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code;

 

   

a holder of the Company’s common stock that received the common stock through the exercise of an employee stock option, through a tax qualified retirement plan or otherwise as compensation;

 

   

a controlled foreign corporation;

 

   

a passive foreign investment company;

 

   

a person that has a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar;

 

   

a holder of the Company’s common stock that holds the common stock as part of a hedge, straddle, constructive sale, conversion or other integrated transaction; or

 

   

a United States expatriate or person that has ceased to be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States.

Determining the actual tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the Company’s common stock is complex. They will depend on a stockholder’s specific situation and on factors that are not within the Company’s control. Stockholders should consult with their tax advisor as to the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the Company’s common stock in their particular circumstances, including the applicability and effect of the alternative minimum tax and any state, local, foreign or other tax laws and of changes in those laws.

The U.S. federal income tax consequences to a partner in an entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that holds the Company’s common stock generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Any partnership or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes that holds shares of the Company’s common stock, and the partners in such partnership (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), should consult their tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Company’s common stock.

 

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EACH PROSPECTIVE STOCKHOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES REGARDING THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND SALE OF SHARES OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK AND THE COMPANY’S ELECTION TO BE TAXED AS A REIT, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP, SALE AND REIT ELECTION AND OF POTENTIAL CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.

(a)     Taxation of the Company

The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code. The Company believes that it has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2007, and that its intended manner of operation will enable it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

In the opinion of Holland & Knight LLP (“H&K”), commencing with the Company’s taxable year ended December 31, 2007, and through the Company’s taxable year ended December 31, 2022, the Company has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and its current organization and method of operation has enabled it, and its proposed method of operation will continue to enable it, to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for its taxable year ending December 31, 2023, and subsequent taxable years. You should be aware that H&K’s opinion is based on existing U.S. federal income tax law governing qualification as a REIT, which is subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis, is not binding on the IRS or any court, and speaks of the date issued. In addition, H&K’s opinion is based on customary assumptions and is conditioned upon certain representations made by the Company as to factual matters, including representations regarding the nature of its assets and the future conduct of its business, all of which are described in the opinion. Moreover, the Company’s continued qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on its ability to meet, on a continuing basis, through actual operating results, certain qualification tests in the federal income tax laws. Those qualification tests involve the percentage of the Company’s income that it earns from specified sources, the percentages of its assets that fall within specified categories, the diversity of its share ownership and the percentage of its earnings that it distributes. While H&K has reviewed those matters in connection with the foregoing opinion, H&K will not review the Company’s compliance with those tests on a continuing basis.

Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the Company’s operations for any particular taxable year will satisfy such requirements. For a discussion of the tax consequences of the failure to qualify as a REIT, see “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT—Failure to Qualify as a REIT.”

If the Company qualifies as a REIT, it generally will be allowed to deduct dividends paid to its stockholders, and, as a result, it will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on that portion of its ordinary income and net capital gain that it currently distributes to its stockholders. The Company intends to make distributions to its stockholders on a regular basis as necessary to avoid material U.S. federal income tax and to comply with the REIT requirements. See “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT—Annual Distribution Requirements” below.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, even if the Company qualifies for taxation as a REIT, it nonetheless may be subject to U.S. federal income tax in certain circumstances, including the following:

 

   

The Company will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed REIT taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains.

 

   

If the Company has (i) net income from the sale or other disposition of “foreclosure property” (generally, property acquired by reason of default on a lease or indebtedness held by it) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) other non-qualifying income from foreclosure property, it will be subject to tax on such income at the highest regular corporate rate.

 

   

Any net income that the Company has from prohibited transactions (which are, in general, certain sales or other dispositions of property, other than foreclosure property, held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, as described below under “—Subsidiaries and Investments of the Company—Prohibited Transaction Tax”) generally will be subject to a 100% tax.

 

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If the Company should fail to satisfy either the 75% or 95% gross income test (as described below under “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT—Income Tests”), but has nonetheless maintained its qualification as a REIT pursuant to certain relief provisions, it will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount equal to (i) the greater of the amount by which it fails the 75% or 95% gross income test multiplied, in either case, by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the REIT taxable income for the taxable year (determined with certain adjustments) and the denominator of which is the gross income for the taxable year (with certain adjustments).

 

   

If the Company fails to distribute during each year at least the sum of (i) 85% of its REIT ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of its REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from preceding periods, then the Company will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the amounts actually distributed.

 

   

In the event of a more than de minimis failure of any of the asset tests (as described below under “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT—Asset Tests”), as long as the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, the Company files a description of each asset that caused such failure with the IRS, and the Company disposes of the assets or otherwise complies with the asset tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies such failure, the Company will pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate income tax rate multiplied by the net income from the nonqualifying assets during the period in which it failed to satisfy the asset tests.

 

   

In the event that the Company fails to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification, other than the Income Tests and the Asset Tests, and such failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, it will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure.

 

   

If the Company acquires any asset from a C corporation in a carryover-basis transaction and it subsequently recognizes gain on the disposition of the asset during the five-year period beginning on the date on which it acquired the asset, then all or a portion of the gain may be subject to federal income tax at the highest regular corporate rate, pursuant to guidelines issued by the IRS.

 

   

A 100% excise tax may be imposed on transactions between a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”) and the Company or its tenants, including services, that are not conducted on an arm’s length basis.

 

   

The Company may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if the Company fails to meet record-keeping requirements intended to monitor its compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT’s stockholders.

 

   

Income earned by the Company from a TRS or any other subsidiaries that are C corporations generally will be subject to tax at regular corporate income tax rates.

 

  (b)

Requirements for Qualification as a REIT

In order for the Company to continue to qualify as a REIT, it must meet and continue to meet the requirements described below relating to its organization, sources of income, nature of assets and distributions of income to its stockholders.

The REIT provisions of the Code apply to a domestic corporation, trust, or association that properly elects to be taxed as a REIT and that also:

 

  1.

is managed by one or more trustees or directors;

 

  2.

the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;

 

  3.

would be taxable, but for Sections 856 through 860 of the Code, as a domestic corporation;

 

  4.

is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to certain provisions of the Code;

 

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  5.

uses a calendar year for U.S. federal income tax purposes and complies with applicable recordkeeping requirements; and

 

  6.

meets the additional requirements described below.

Ownership Tests

In order for the Company to qualify as a REIT, commencing with its second taxable year (i) the beneficial ownership of its stock must be held by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a 12-month taxable year (or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months) for each of its taxable years and (ii) during the last half of each taxable year, no more than 50% in value of the Company’s stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by or for five or fewer individuals, or Five or Fewer Test. Stock ownership for purposes of the Five or Fewer Test is determined by applying the constructive ownership provisions of Section 544(a) of the Code, subject to certain modifications. The term “individual” for purposes of the Five or Fewer Test includes a private foundation, a trust providing for the payment of supplemental unemployment compensation benefits, and a portion of a trust permanently set aside or to be used exclusively for charitable purposes. A “qualified trust” described in Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code generally is not treated as an individual for purposes of the Five or Fewer Test; rather, stock held by it is treated as owned proportionately by its beneficiaries.

The Company believes that it has satisfied and will continue to satisfy the above ownership requirements. In addition, the Company’s charter restricts ownership and transfers of its stock that would violate these requirements, although these restrictions may not be effective in all circumstances to prevent a violation. The Company will be deemed to have satisfied the Five or Fewer Test for a particular taxable year if it has complied with all requirements for ascertaining the ownership of its outstanding stock in that taxable year and has no reason to know that it has violated the Five or Fewer Test.

Income Tests

In order to maintain qualification as a REIT, two gross income requirements must be satisfied annually.

 

   

First, at least 75% of the Company’s gross income (excluding gross income from certain sales of property held as inventory or primarily for sale in the ordinary course of business, cancellation of indebtedness income, income from certain hedging transactions and certain foreign currency gains) must be derived from “rents from real property”; “interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property”; gain (excluding gross income from certain sales of property held as inventory or primarily for sale in the ordinary course of business) from the sale or other disposition of, and certain other gross income related to, real property (including interests in real property and in mortgages on real property); and income received or accrued within one year of the receipt of, and attributable to the temporary investment of, “new capital” (any amount received in exchange for stock other than through a dividend reinvestment plan or in a public offering of debt obligations having maturities of at least five years).

 

   

Second, at least 95% of the Company’s gross income (excluding gross income from certain sales of property held as inventory or primarily for sale in the ordinary course of business, cancellation of indebtedness income, income from certain hedging transactions and certain foreign currency gains) must be derived from: dividends; interest; “rents from real property”; gain (excluding gross income from certain sales of property held as inventory or primarily for sale in the ordinary course of business) from the sale or other disposition of, and certain other gross income related to, real property (including interests in real property and in mortgages on real property); and gain from the sale or other disposition of stock and securities.

For an amount received or accrued to qualify for purposes of an applicable gross income test as “rents from real property” or “interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property,” the determination of such amount must not depend in whole or in part on the income or profits derived by any person from such property (except that such amount may be based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales). In addition, for an amount received or accrued to qualify as “rents from real property,” such amount may not be received or accrued directly or indirectly from a person in which the Company owns directly or indirectly 10% or more of, in the case of a corporation, the total voting power of all voting stock or the total value of all stock, and, in the case of an unincorporated entity, the assets or net profits of such entity (except for certain amounts received or accrued from a TRS in connection with property substantially rented to persons other than a TRS of the Company and other than 10%-or-more owned persons or with respect to certain healthcare and lodging facilities, if certain conditions are met).

 

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In addition, the Company must not manage its properties or furnish or render services to the tenants of its properties, except through an independent contractor from whom the Company derives no income or through a TRS unless (i) the Company is performing services that are usually or customarily furnished or rendered in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and the services are of the sort that a tax-exempt organization could perform without being considered in receipt of unrelated business taxable income or (ii) the income earned by the Company for other services furnished or rendered by the Company to tenants of a property or for the management or operation of the property does not exceed 1% of the Company’s total income from such property.

If rent attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property is greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease, then the portion of rent attributable to such personal property will not qualify as “rents from real property.” Generally, this 15% test is applied separately to each lease. The portion of rental income treated as attributable to personal property is determined according to the ratio of the fair market value of the personal property to the total fair market value of the property that is rented. The determination of what fixtures and other property constitute personal property for U.S. federal income tax purposes is difficult and imprecise. The Company leases and intends to lease property only under circumstances such that substantially all, if not all, rents from such property qualify as “rents from real property.”

The Company may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of its assets or liabilities. The Company’s hedging activities may include entering into interest rate swaps, caps and floors, options to purchase such items, and futures and forward contracts. Income and gain from “hedging transactions” will be excluded from gross income for purposes of the 95% and 75% gross income tests. A “hedging transaction” includes any transaction entered into in the normal course of trade or business primarily to manage the risk of interest rate, price changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets. The Company will be required to clearly identify any such hedging transaction before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated or entered into. The Company intends to structure any hedging or similar transactions so as not to jeopardize its status as a REIT.

If the Company were to fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, it may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for such year if it is entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will generally be available if (i) the failure to meet such test or tests was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and (ii) following the identification of the failure to meet these tests, the Company files with the IRS a description of each item of income that fails to meet these tests in a schedule in accordance with Treasury Regulations. It is not possible, however, to know whether the Company would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions since the application of the relief provisions is dependent on future facts and circumstances. If these relief provisions were to apply, the Company would be subjected to tax equal to a percentage calculated by the ratio of REIT taxable income to gross income with certain adjustments multiplied by the gross income attributable to the greater of the amount by which the Company failed either of the 75% or the 95% gross income tests.

Asset Tests

At the close of each quarter of its taxable year, the Company must also satisfy four tests relating to the nature and diversification of its assets:

 

  1.

At least 75% of the value of the Company’s total assets must consist of real estate assets (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property, debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs, and its allocable share of real estate assets held by joint ventures or partnerships in which it participates), cash, cash items and government securities;

 

  2.

Not more than 25% of the Company’s total assets may be represented by securities other than those includable in the 75% asset class;

 

  3.

Not more than 20% of the Company’s total assets may be represented by securities of one or more TRS; and

 

  4.

Not more than 25% of the value of the Company’s total assets may be invested in debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs that do not otherwise qualify as real estate assets under the 75% asset test.

Of the investments included in the 25% asset class, except with respect to a TRS, (i) the value of any one issuer’s securities owned by the Company may not exceed 5% of the value of its total assets and (ii) the Company may not own more than 10%

 

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of any one issuer’s outstanding securities by vote or value. For purposes of the 25% asset test, “securities” generally includes debt instruments with some exceptions. However, securities issued by affiliated qualified REIT subsidiaries (as described in “—Subsidiaries and Investments of the Company—Qualified REIT Subsidiaries and Disregarded Entities”) are not subject to the 25% of total assets limit, the 5% of total assets limit or the 10% of a single issuer’s securities limit. Rather the existence of QRS is ignored, and the assets, income, gain, loss and other attributes of the QRS are treated as being owned or generated by the Company, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Additionally, “straight debt” securities and certain other exceptions are not “securities” for purposes of the 10% of a single issuer’s value test. For purposes of the 75% asset test, personal property will be treated as a real estate asset to the extent that rents attributable to such personal property are treated as rents from real property under the REIT gross income tests.

The Company intends to monitor the status of its assets for purposes of the various asset tests and will endeavor to manage its portfolio in order to comply at all times with such tests. If the Company meets the asset tests described above at the close of any quarter, it will not lose its status as a REIT because of a change in value of its assets during a subsequent quarter unless the discrepancy exists immediately after the acquisition of any security or other property that is wholly or partly the result of an acquisition during such quarter. Where a failure to satisfy the asset tests results from an acquisition of securities or other property during a quarter, the failure can be cured by disposition of sufficient non-qualifying assets within 30 days after the close of such quarter. The Company maintains adequate records of the value of its assets to maintain compliance with the asset tests and intends, if necessary, to take such action as may be required to cure any failure to satisfy the test within 30 days after the close of any quarter.

Nevertheless, if the Company were unable to cure within the 30-day cure period, it may cure a violation of the 5% asset test or the 10% asset test so long as the value of the assets causing such violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the value of its total assets at the end of the relevant quarter and $10 million and it disposes of the asset causing the failure or otherwise complies with the asset tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which the Company’s identification of the failure occurred. For violations due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect that are larger than this amount, the Company is permitted to avoid disqualification as a REIT after the 30-day cure period by (i) disposing of an amount of assets sufficient to meet the asset tests, (ii) paying an excise tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate tax rate times the taxable income generated by the non-qualifying asset and (iii) disclosing certain information to the IRS in accordance with Treasury Regulations.

Annual Distribution Requirements

In order to qualify as a REIT, the Company is required to distribute dividends (other than capital gain dividends) to its stockholders in an amount at least equal to (a) the sum of (i) 90% of its “REIT taxable income” (computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and net capital gain) and (ii) 90% of the net income (after tax on such income), if any, from foreclosure property, minus (b) the sum of certain non-cash income (including, but not limited to, certain imputed rental income, income from transactions inadvertently failing to qualify as like-kind exchanges and income by reason of cancellation of indebtedness). These requirements may be waived by the IRS if the Company establishes that it failed to meet them by reason of distributions previously made to meet the requirements of the 4% excise tax described below.

To the extent that the Company does not distribute all of its net capital gain and all of its “REIT taxable income,” it will be subject to U.S. federal tax thereon at regular corporate income tax rates. In addition, the Company will be subject to a 4% excise tax to the extent it fails within a calendar year to make “required distributions” to its stockholders of 85% of its ordinary income for such year, 95% of its capital gain net income for such year, and 100% of the excess, if any, of the “grossed up required distribution” for the preceding calendar year over the amount treated as distributed for such preceding calendar year. For this purpose, the term “grossed up required distribution” for any calendar year is the sum of the taxable income of the Company for the taxable year (without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and all amounts from earlier years that are not treated as having been distributed under the provision. Dividends declared in the last quarter of the year and paid during the following January will be treated as having been paid and received on December 31 of such earlier year. The Company has made and intends to continue to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy the annual distribution requirements.

Under certain circumstances, the Company may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirement for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to stockholders in a later year that may be included in its deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, the Company may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends; however, the Company might in certain circumstances remain liable for the 4% excise tax described above.

 

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Like-Kind Exchanges

The Company may dispose of properties in transactions intended to qualify as like-kind exchanges under the Code. Such like- kind exchanges are intended to result in the deferral of gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or TCJA, limited non-recognition of gain or loss on like-kind exchanges to apply only to exchanges of real property that is not held primarily for sale. The failure of any such transaction to qualify as a like-kind exchange could require the Company to pay U.S. federal income tax, possible including the 100% prohibited transaction tax, depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction.

Failure to Qualify as a REIT

If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT and such failure is not an asset test or income test failure subject to the cure provisions described above, the Company generally will be eligible for a relief provision if the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and the Company pays a penalty of $50,000 with respect to such failure.

If the Company fails to qualify for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions were found not to apply, the Company will be subject to tax on its taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to stockholders in any year in which the Company failed to qualify would not be deductible by it nor would they be required to be made. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, the Company would also be ineligible to elect to be taxed as a REIT for the following four taxable years.

The Company’s qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes will depend on it continuing to meet the various requirements summarized above governing the ownership of its outstanding shares, the nature of its assets, the sources of its income, and the amount of its distributions to its stockholders. Although the Company intends to operate in a manner that will enable it to comply with such requirements, there can be no certainty that such intention will be realized. In addition, because the relevant laws may change, compliance with one or more of the REIT requirements may become impossible or impracticable. Failure to qualify for even one year could result in the Company incurring substantial indebtedness (to the extent borrowings were feasible) or liquidating substantial investments in order to pay the resulting taxes.

 

  (c)

Subsidiaries and Investments of the Company

Certain of the Company’s investment practices may be subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may affect its ability to qualify as a REIT. The Company intends to monitor its transactions and may make certain tax elections in order to mitigate the effects of these provisions; however, no assurance can be given that the Company will be eligible for any such tax elections or that any elections it makes will fully mitigate the effects of these provisions.

Prohibited Transaction Tax

Any gain realized by the Company on the sale of any property held (other than foreclosure property) as inventory or other property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, including its share of any such gain realized by its subsidiary partnerships and taking into account any related foreign currency gain or loss, will be treated as income from a “prohibited transaction” that is subject to a 100% penalty tax. Whether property is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business depends upon all the facts and circumstances with respect to the particular transaction. However, the Code provides a “safe harbor” pursuant to which sales of properties held for at least two years and meeting certain other requirements will not give rise to prohibited transaction income.

The Company generally intends to hold properties for investment, but it may make sales of properties consistent with its strategic objectives. In the future, the Company may make sales at a gain that do not satisfy the safe harbor requirements described above. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that one or more of these sales are subject to the 100% penalty tax. The 100% tax will not apply to gains from the sale of property realized through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax at regular corporate income tax rates.

Qualified REIT Subsidiaries and Disregarded Entities

If a REIT owns a corporate subsidiary (including an entity which is treated as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary”, or QRS, or if a REIT owns 100% of the membership

 

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interests in a domestic limited liability company or other domestic unincorporated entity that does not elect to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the separate existence of the QRS, limited liability company or other unincorporated entity generally will be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Generally, a QRS is a corporation, other than a TRS, all of the stock of which is owned by a REIT (either directly or through other disregarded subsidiaries). A limited liability company or other unincorporated entity 100% owned by a single member that does not elect to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes (or, in the case of certain foreign entities, such an entity that affirmatively elects not to be treated as a corporation) generally is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes. All assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and credit of the QRS or disregarded entity will be treated as assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and credit of the REIT itself. To the extent the Company owns a QRS or a disregarded entity, neither will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income taxation, although such entities may be subject to state and local taxation in some states or foreign taxes if they do business or own property outside the United States.

Taxation of Subsidiary Partnerships

The Company holds investments through entities that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Under the Code, a partnership is generally not subject to U.S. federal income tax, but is required to file a partnership tax return each year. In general, the character of each partner’s share of each item of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit, and tax preference is determined at the partnership level. Each partner is then allocated a distributive share of such items and is required to take such items into account in determining the partner’s income. Each partner includes such amount in income for any taxable year of the partnership ending within or with the taxable year of the partner, without regard to whether the partner has received or will receive any cash distributions from the partnership. Cash distributions, if any, from a partnership to a partner generally are not taxable unless and to the extent they exceed the partner’s basis in its partnership interest immediately before the distribution. Any amounts in excess of such tax basis will generally be treated as a sale of such partner’s interest in the partnership.

A REIT that is a partner in a partnership will be deemed to own its proportionate share of the assets of the partnership and, for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests, will be deemed to earn its proportionate share of the partnership’s income. The assets and gross income of the partnership retain the same character in the hands of the REIT for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. The Company’s proportionate share of the assets and items of income of any subsidiary partnership, including such partnership’s share of the assets and liabilities and items of income with respect to any partnership or disregarded entity in which it holds an interest, will be treated as the Company’s assets and liabilities and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT asset and income tests. Although the Company intends to continue to control its subsidiary partnerships, it may not always be able to control the activities of a subsidiary partnership and a subsidiary partnership could take an action that could negatively affect the Company’s ability to satisfy the requirements to qualify as a REIT.

If an allocation of partnership income or loss in a partnership agreement does not comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, the item subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners’ interests in the partnership. This reallocation will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances relating to the economic arrangement of the partners with respect to such item. Each subsidiary partnership’s allocations of income and loss are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

Under Section 704(c) of the Code, income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership must be allocated for tax purposes in a manner such that the contributing partner is charged with, or benefits from, the unrealized gain or unrealized loss associated with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of the unrealized gain or unrealized loss is generally equal to the difference between the fair market value, or book value, of the contributed property and the adjusted tax basis of such property at the time of the contribution. Such allocations are solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes and do not affect partnership capital accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among the partners. To the extent that any of the Company’s subsidiary partnerships, acquires appreciated (or depreciated) properties by way of capital contributions from its partners, allocations would need to be made in a manner consistent with these requirements.

Any gain realized by a subsidiary partnership on the sale of property held by it for more than one year generally will be long-term capital gain, except for any portion of such gain that is treated as depreciation or cost recovery recapture.

U.S. federal income tax audits of partnerships are conducted at the entity level, but unless such entity qualifies for and affirmatively elects an alternative procedure, any adjustments to the amount of tax due (including interest and penalties) will

 

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be payable by the entity itself. Under an alternative procedure, if elected, a partnership would issue information returns to persons who were partners in the audited year, who would then be required to take such adjustments into account in calculating their own tax liability, and the partnership would not be liable for the adjustments. If any subsidiary partnership is able to and in fact elects the alternative procedure for a given adjustment, the amount of taxes for which such persons will be liable will be increased by any applicable penalties and a special interest charge. There can be no assurance that any such entities will make such an election for any given adjustment.

Generally, a domestic unincorporated entity with two or more partners is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless it affirmatively elects to be treated as a corporation. However, certain “publicly traded partnerships” are treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Pursuant to Section 7704 of the Code, a partnership that does not elect to be treated as a corporation nevertheless will be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it is a “publicly traded partnership” and it does not derive at least 90% of its gross income from certain specified sources of “qualifying income” within the meaning of that provision. A “publicly traded partnership” is any partnership (i) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or (ii) the interests in which are readily tradable on a “secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof.” If any subsidiary partnership were a publicly traded partnership, it would be taxed as a corporation unless at least 90% of its gross income consists of “qualifying income” under Section 7704 of the Code. Qualifying income includes real property rents and other types of passive income, and is very similar to the types of income that the Company must generate in order to satisfy the REIT income tests discussed above. The Company intends to operate so that any subsidiary partnerships will satisfy one or more of the exceptions from or safe harbors for public trading, and/or comply with the qualifying income exception, so as to avoid being taxed as a corporation under these rules; however, the Company cannot provide any assurance that any particular subsidiary partnership would not be so treated. Treatment of a subsidiary partnership as a corporation could prevent the Company from qualifying as a REIT. The discussion assumes that any subsidiary partnerships will be treated as a “partnership” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Investments in Certain Debt Instruments

The Company has acquired and may continue to acquire mortgage loans, and may acquire other debt investments. Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test (as described above) to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid is secured by a mortgage on real property. If the Company receives interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date that the Company committed to acquire the loan, or agreed to modify the loan in a manner that is treated as an acquisition of a new loan for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the other collateral, and the Company’s income from the loan will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to the real property; provided, however, in the case of mortgage loans secured by both real and personal property, if the fair market value of such personal property does not exceed 15% of the total fair market value of all property securing the loan, then the personal property securing the loan will be treated as real property for purposes of determining whether the mortgage is qualifying under the 75% asset requirement and interest income that qualifies for purposes of the 75% gross income requirement. For purposes of the preceding sentence, however, the IRS has indicated in published guidance that taxpayers such as the Company do not need to re-determine the fair market value of real property in connection with a loan modification that is occasioned by a default or made at a time when it reasonably believes the modification of the loan will substantially reduce a significant risk of default on such loan, and any such modification will not be treated as a prohibited transaction. Even if a loan is not secured by real property, or is under-secured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test. To the extent that the Company derives interest income from a mortgage loan where all or a portion of the amount of interest payable is contingent, such income generally will qualify for purposes of the gross income tests only if it is based upon the gross receipts or sales, and not the net income or profits, of the borrower. This limitation does not apply, however, where the borrower leases substantially all of its interest in the property to tenants or subtenants, to the extent that the rental income derived by the borrower would qualify as rents from real property had the Company earned the income directly.

If the outstanding principal balance of a mortgage loan exceeds the fair market value of the real property securing the loan at the time the Company commits to acquire the loan, or agrees to modify the loan in a manner that is treated as an acquisition of a new loan for U.S. federal income tax purposes (such fair market value is referred to as the “loan value” of the real property), then a portion of such loan may not be a qualifying real estate asset. Under current law it is not clear how to determine what portion of such a loan will be treated as a qualifying real estate asset. The IRS has stated that it will not challenge a REIT’s treatment of a loan as being in part a real estate asset if the REIT treats the loan as being a real estate asset in an amount that is

 

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equal to the lesser of the fair market value of the loan and the greater of the current value of the real property securing the loan, or the loan value of the real property securing the loan.

The application of the REIT provisions of the Code to certain mezzanine loans, which are loans secured by equity interests in an entity that directly or indirectly owns real property rather than by a direct mortgage of the real property, is not entirely clear. A safe harbor in Revenue Procedure 2003-65 provides that if a mezzanine loan meets certain requirements then it will be treated by the IRS as a real estate asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests and interest derived from it will be treated as qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% income test. However, to the extent that mezzanine loans do not meet all of the requirements for reliance on the safe harbor set forth in the Revenue Procedure, such loans may not be real estate assets and could adversely affect the Company’s REIT qualification if it acquired them. As such, the REIT provisions of the Code may limit the Company’s ability to acquire mortgage, mezzanine or other loans that it might otherwise desire to acquire.

Investments in debt instruments may require recognition of taxable income prior to receipt of cash from such investments and may cause portions of gain to be treated as ordinary income. For example, the Company may purchase debt instruments at a discount from face value. To the extent the Company purchases any instruments at a discount in connection with their original issuances, the discount will be “original issue discount”, or OID, if it exceeds certain de minimis amounts, which must be accrued on a constant yield method even though the Company may not receive the corresponding cash payment until maturity. To the extent debt instruments are purchased by the Company at a discount after their original issuances, the discount may represent “market discount.” Unlike original issue discount, market discount is not required to be included in income on a constant yield method. However, if the Company sells a debt instrument with market discount, it will be required to treat gain up to an amount equal to the market discount that has accrued while the Company held the debt instrument as ordinary income. Additionally, any principal payments the Company receives in respect of its debt instruments must be treated as ordinary income to the extent of any accrued market discount. If the Company ultimately collects less on a debt instrument than its purchase price and any OID or accrued market discount that it has included in income, there may be limitations on the Company’s ability to use any losses resulting from that debt instrument. The Company may acquire distressed debt instruments that are subsequently modified by agreement with the borrower. Under applicable Treasury Regulations, these modifications may be treated as a taxable event in which the Company exchanges the old debt instrument for a new debt instrument, the value of which may be treated as equal to the face amount of the new debt instrument. Because distressed debt instruments are often acquired at a substantial discount from face value, the difference between the amount realized and the tax basis in the old note could be significant, resulting in significant income without any corresponding receipt of cash. Similarly, if the Company acquires a distressed debt instrument and subsequently forecloses, it could have taxable income to the extent that the fair market value of the property it receives exceeds its tax basis in the debt instrument. Such a scenario could also result in significant taxable income without any receipt of cash. In the event that any debt instruments acquired by the Company are delinquent as to mandatory principal and interest payments, or in the event payments with respect to a particular debt instrument are not made when due, the Company may nonetheless be required to continue to recognize the unpaid interest as taxable income.

Investments in Taxable REIT Subsidiaries (TRSs)

The Company owns a subsidiary that has elected to be treated as a TRS for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and may in the future own interests in additional TRSs. A TRS is a corporation in which the Company directly or indirectly owns stock and that jointly elects with the Company to be treated as a TRS. In addition, if any TRS in which the Company holds an interest owns, directly or indirectly, securities representing 35% or more of the vote or value of a subsidiary corporation, that subsidiary will also be treated as a TRS. A TRS is generally subject to U.S. federal and applicable state, local and foreign income taxes. The taxes owed by a TRS could be substantial. To the extent that any TRS in which the Company holds an interest is required to pay U.S. federal, state, local, or foreign taxes, the cash available for distribution by the Company will be reduced accordingly.

A TRS is permitted to engage in certain kinds of activities that cannot be performed directly by the Company without jeopardizing its qualification as a REIT. However, an entity will not qualify as a TRS if it directly or indirectly operates or manages a health care or lodging facility or, generally, provides rights to any brand name under which any health care or lodging facility is operated, unless such rights are provided to an “eligible independent contractor” to operate or manage a health care facility or a lodging facility if such rights are held by the TRS as a franchisee, licensee or in a similar capacity and such health care facility or lodging facility is either owned by the TRS or leased to the TRS by its parent REIT. A TRS will not be considered to operate or manage a qualified health care property or a qualified lodging facility solely because the TRS directly or indirectly possesses a license, permit or similar instrument enabling it to do so. Additionally, a TRS will not be

 

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considered to operate or manage a qualified health care property or qualified lodging facility if it employs individuals working at such property or facility located outside of the United States, but only if an “eligible independent contractor” is responsible for the daily supervision and direction of such individuals on behalf of the TRS pursuant to a management agreement or similar service contract. An “eligible independent contractor” is, generally, with respect to any qualified health care property or qualified lodging facility, any independent contractor (as defined in section 856(d)(3) of the Code) if, at the time such contractor enters into a management agreement or other similar service contract with the TRS to operate such qualified health care property or qualified lodging facility, such contractor (or any related person) is actively engaged in the trade or business of operating qualified health care properties or qualified lodging facilities, respectively, for any person who is not a related person with respect to the parent REIT or the TRS. Certain payments made by any TRS to the Company may not be deductible by the TRS (which could materially increase the TRS’s taxable income). In addition, the Company will be subject to a 100% tax on the amounts of any rents from real property, deductions, or excess interest received from a TRS that would be reduced through reapportionment under the Code in order to more clearly reflect the income of the TRS. Finally, the Company will be subject to a 100% tax on “redetermined TRS service income” in respect of amounts imputed to a TRS as a result of redetermining or reallocating income among related or commonly controlled entities (e.g., amounts paid to a TRS for services it renders to or on behalf of the Company).

 

  (d)

Taxation of U.S. Stockholders

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Stockholder” is a holder of shares of stock who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation or other entity classified as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision of the United States, including any state, (iii) an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust, if, in general, a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more U.S. persons, within the meaning of the Code, has the authority to control all of the trust’s substantial decisions.

Distributions

So long as the Company qualifies for taxation as a REIT, distributions on shares of its stock made to U.S. Stockholders out of the current or accumulated earnings and profits allocable to these distributions (and not designated as capital gain dividends) will be includable as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. None of these distributions will be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporate U.S. Stockholders. Additionally, ordinary dividends will generally not qualify as qualified dividend income, which, for individuals, trusts and estates, is taxed as net capital gain. The TCJA created a deduction, currently effective until December 31, 2025, for individuals, trusts and estates who receive domestic qualified business income from pass-through entities. The deduction specifically includes ordinary dividends distributed by a REIT (that are not designated as a capital gain dividend or as qualified dividend income), subject to certain holding period requirements, and ultimately lowers the maximum effective federal income tax rate on such received dividends to 29.6%. In addition, the deduction for ordinary REIT dividends is not subject to the wage and tax basis limitations applicable to the deduction for other qualifying pass-through income.

Any distribution declared by the Company in October, November or December of any year on a specified date in any such month shall be treated as both paid by the Company and received by its stockholders on December 31 of that year, provided that the distribution is actually paid no later than January 31 of the following year.

Distributions made in excess of accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Stockholder’s basis and will reduce the basis of the U.S. Stockholder’s shares of Company’s common stock. Any distributions in excess of accumulated earnings and profits and in excess of a U.S. Stockholder’s basis in the U.S. Stockholder’s shares of the Company’s common stock will be treated as gain from the sale of the shares of the Company’s common stock (see “—Taxation of U.S. Stockholders—Disposition of the Company’s Common Stock” below).

Capital Gains Dividends

Distributions to U.S. Stockholders that are designated as capital gain dividends will be taxed as long-term capital gains (to the extent they do not exceed the Company’s actual net capital gain for the taxable year) without regard to the period for which a U.S. Stockholder held the shares of the Company’s common stock. However, a corporate U.S. Stockholder, may be required to treat a portion of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. In addition, U.S. Stockholders may be required to treat a portion of a capital gain dividend as “unrecaptured Section 1250 gain,” taxable at a maximum rate of 25% for individuals, if the Company incurs such gain.

 

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If the Company elects to retain and pay income tax on any net long-term capital gain, each of its U.S. Stockholders would include in income, as long-term capital gain, its proportionate share of this net long-term capital gain. Each U.S. Stockholder would also receive a refundable tax credit for its proportionate share of the tax paid by the Company on such retained capital gains and would have an increase in the basis of its shares of the Company’s common stock in an amount equal to its includable capital gains less its share of the tax deemed paid. The aggregate amount of dividends designated by the Company as capital gains dividends with respect to distributions in a year is limited to the actual dividends paid with respect to such year.

Disposition of the Company’s Common Stock

Upon any taxable sale or other disposition of any shares of the Company’s common stock, a U.S. Stockholder will generally recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or exchange and the U.S. Stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in these shares of the Company’s common stock. This gain will be capital gain if the U.S. Stockholder held these shares of stock as a capital asset. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares of the Company’s common stock may be disallowed if other shares of the Company’s common stock (or stocks or securities which are “substantially identical” to its common stock) are purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition.

3.8% Tax on Net Investment Income

Certain U.S. Stockholders who are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% tax on certain “net investment income,” including dividends on shares of the Company’s common stock and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of shares of the Company’s common stock. U.S. Stockholders that are individuals, estates or trusts should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this Medicare tax on their ownership and disposition of the Company’s common stock.

 

  (e)

Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders

Tax-exempt entities are generally exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. However, they are subject to U.S. federal income taxation on their unrelated business taxable income, or UBTI. Distributions made by the Company to a U.S. Stockholder that is a tax-exempt entity (such as an individual retirement account, or IRA, or a 401(k) plan) generally should not constitute UBTI, unless such tax-exempt U.S. Stockholder has financed the acquisition of its shares with “acquisition indebtedness” within the meaning of the Code, or the shares are otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business conducted by such U.S. Stockholder. Where such income from an investment in the Company may constitute UBTI for a tax-exempt U.S. Stockholder and such stockholder reports more than one unrelated trade or business, the tax- exempt U.S. Stockholder will be required to separately calculate UBTI for each trade or business.

However, for tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts and qualified group legal services plans exempt from federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Code, respectively, income from an investment in the Company will constitute UBTI unless the organization properly sets aside or reserves such amounts for purposes specified in the Code. Such tax-exempt stockholders should consult their own tax advisors concerning these “set aside” and reserve requirements.

Special rules apply to certain tax-exempt pension funds (including 401(k) plans but excluding IRAs or government pension plans) that own more than 10% (measured by value) of a “pension-held REIT.” Such a pension fund may be required to treat a certain percentage of all dividends received from the REIT during the year as UBTI. The percentage is equal to the ratio of the REIT’s gross income (less direct expenses related thereto) derived from the conduct of unrelated trades or businesses determined as if the REIT were a tax-exempt pension fund (including income from activities financed with “acquisition indebtedness”), to the REIT’s gross income (less direct expenses related thereto) from all sources. The special rules will not require a pension fund to recharacterize a portion of its dividends as UBTI unless the percentage computed is at least 5%.

A REIT will be treated as a “pension-held REIT” if the REIT is predominantly held by tax-exempt pension funds and if the REIT would otherwise fail to satisfy the Five or Fewer Test discussed above. A REIT is predominantly held by tax-exempt pension funds if at least one tax-exempt pension fund holds more than 25% (measured by value) of the REIT’s stock or beneficial interests, or if one or more tax-exempt pension funds (each of which owns more than 10% (measured by value) of the REIT’s stock or beneficial interests) own in the aggregate more than 50% (measured by value) of the REIT’s stock or

 

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beneficial interests. The Company believes that it will not be treated as a pension-held REIT. However, because the shares of the Company will be publicly traded, no assurance can be given that the Company is not or will not become a pension-held REIT.

 

  (f)

Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders

The rules governing U.S. federal income taxation of stockholders that are not U.S. Stockholders, such as non-resident alien individuals, foreign corporations, and foreign trusts and estates, or Non-U.S. Stockholders, are complex, and the following discussion is intended only as a summary of such rules. Non-U.S. Stockholders should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the impact of U.S. federal, state, and local income tax laws on an investment in the Company’s common stock, including any reporting requirements.

Distributions Not Attributable to Gain from the Sale or Exchange of a United States Real Property Interest

Distributions made by the Company to Non-U.S. Stockholders that are not attributable to gain from the sale or exchange by the Company of United States real property interests, or USRPI, and that are not designated by the Company as capital gain dividends will be treated as ordinary income dividends to Non-U.S. Stockholders to the extent made out of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Company. Generally, such ordinary income dividends will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% on the gross amount of the dividend paid unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable U.S. income tax treaty. The Company expects to withhold U.S. income tax at the rate of 30% on the gross amount of any such dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Stockholder unless a lower treaty rate applies and the Non-U.S. Stockholder has delivered a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E to the Company, certifying the Non-U.S. Stockholder’s entitlement to treaty benefits.

Distributions made by the Company to Non-U.S. Stockholders in excess of its current and accumulated earnings and profits to a Non-U.S. Stockholder who holds 10% or less of the stock of the Company (after application of certain ownership rules) generally will not be subject to U.S. income or withholding tax. If it cannot be determined at the time a distribution is made whether or not such distribution will be in excess of the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to a dividend distribution. However, the Non-U.S. Stockholder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amount withheld if it is subsequently determined that such distribution was, in fact, in excess of the Company’s then current and accumulated earnings and profits by filing a U.S. federal income tax return.

Distributions Attributable to Gain from the Sale or Exchange of a United States Real Property Interest

So long as the Company’s common stock continues to be regularly traded on an established securities market, such as the NYSE, located in the United States, distributions to a Non-U.S. Stockholder holding 10% or less at all times during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution will not be treated as attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI. See, “—Distributions Not Attributable to Gain from the Sale or Exchange of a United States Real Property Interest” above.

Distributions made by the Company to Non-U.S. Stockholders that are attributable to gain from the sale or exchange by the Company of any USRPI will be taxed to a Non-U.S. Stockholder under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, or FIRPTA, provisions. Under FIRPTA, such distributions are taxed to a Non-U.S. Stockholder as if the distributions were gains “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business. Accordingly, a Non-U.S. Stockholder will be taxed at the normal capital gain rates applicable to a U.S. Stockholder (subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals). Distributions subject to FIRPTA also may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax when made to a corporate Non-U.S. Stockholder that is not entitled to a treaty exemption. The Company is required to withhold 21% of any distribution that is attributable to gain from the sale or exchange by the Company of any USRPI, whether or not designated by the Company as a capital gains dividend. Such amount is creditable against the Non-U.S. Stockholder’s FIRPTA tax liability.

Distributions made by the Company to a Non-U.S. Stockholder that is a “qualified foreign pension fund” or that is an entity wholly-owned by a qualified foreign pension fund will not be subject to the FIRPTA provisions. A qualified foreign pension fund is a trust, corporation or other organization or arrangement created under a foreign jurisdiction, established to provide retirement or pension benefits to employees, subject to certain regulatory oversight and tax benefits and of which, no single participant or beneficiary has more than a 5% right to its assets or income.

 

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Sale or Disposition of Stock of the Company

Generally, gain recognized by a Non-U.S. Stockholder upon the sale or exchange of the Company’s common stock will not be subject to U.S. taxation unless such stock constitutes a USRPI within the meaning of the FIRPTA. If a Non-U.S. Stockholder is a qualified foreign pension fund or an entity wholly-owned by a qualified foreign pension fund, it will not be subject to the FIRPTA provisions. See “—Distributions Attributable to Gain from the Sale or Exchange of a United States Real Property Interest” above.

The Company’s common stock will not constitute a USRPI so long as the Company is a “domestically controlled REIT.” A “domestically controlled REIT” is a REIT in which at all times during a specified testing period less than 50% in value of its stock or beneficial interests are held directly or indirectly by foreign persons. Since the Company is publicly traded on an established securities market, it may assume that a less than 5% stockholder is not a foreign person for purposes of this test unless it has actual knowledge that such stockholder is a foreign person. The Company believes that it will be a “domestically controlled REIT,” and therefore that the sale of the Company’s common stock generally will not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, because the Company’s common stock is publicly traded, no assurance can be given that the Company is or will continue to be a “domestically controlled REIT.”

If the Company does not constitute a “domestically controlled REIT,” gain arising from the sale or exchange by a Non-U.S. Stockholder of the Company’s common stock would be subject to United States taxation under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI unless (i) the Company’s common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market, such as the NYSE, located in the United States and (ii) the selling Non-U.S. Stockholder’s interest (after application of certain constructive ownership rules) in the Company is 10% or less at all times during the five years preceding the sale or exchange. If gain on the sale or exchange of the Company’s common stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the Non-U.S. Stockholder would be subject to regular U.S. income tax with respect to such gain in the same manner as a U.S. Stockholder (subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax, a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals and the possible application of the 30% branch profits tax in the case of corporate Non-U.S. Stockholders), and the purchaser of the Company’s common stock (including the Company) would be required to withhold and remit to the IRS 15% of the purchase price. Additionally, in such case, distributions on the Company’s common stock to the extent they represent a return of capital or capital gain from the sale of the Company’s common stock, rather than dividends, would be subject to a 15% withholding tax.

Capital gains not subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the United States to a Non-U.S. Stockholder in two cases:

 

   

if the Non-U.S. Stockholder’s investment in the Company’s common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such Non-U.S. Stockholder, the Non-U.S. Stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. Stockholder with respect to such gain; or

 

   

if the Non-U.S. Stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, the nonresident alien individual will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. Stockholder with respect to such gain.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

The Company generally will be required to withhold at a rate of 30% on dividends with respect to the Company’s common stock held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such financial institution (1) enters into a compliance agreement with the IRS, whereby it will agree to report, on an annual basis, certain information with respect to shares in the financial institution held by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments, or (2) is otherwise deemed compliant or specifically excluded from the requirements under the Code. Likewise, dividends with respect to the Company’s common stock held by a non-financial non-U.S. entity generally will be subject to 30% withholding unless such non-financial non-U.S. entity (1) certifies to the Company either that (A) the non-financial non-U.S. entity does not have a “substantial United States owner” or (B) provides the Company with the name, address and U.S. taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner and (2) the Company does not know or have reason to know that the certification or information provided regarding substantial U.S. owners is incorrect. While current Treasury Regulations would also require withholding on gross proceeds from the sale of the Company’s common stock in addition to the payment of dividends, the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department have issued proposed Treasury Regulations (upon which taxpayers are permitted to rely) that eliminate such withholding requirement. The Company will not pay any additional amounts to any stockholders in respect of any amounts withheld.

 

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  (g)

Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding Tax

The Company will report to its U.S. Stockholders and to the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year and the amount of tax withheld, if any, with respect thereto. Under the backup withholding rules, a U.S. Stockholder may be subject to backup withholding, currently at a rate of 24%, on dividends paid unless such U.S. Stockholder:

 

   

is a corporation or falls within certain other exempt categories and, when required, can demonstrate this fact; or

 

   

provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.

A U.S. Stockholder who does not provide the Company with the stockholder’s correct taxpayer identification number also may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable against the U.S. Stockholder’s federal income tax liability. In addition, the Company may be required to withhold a portion of any capital gain distributions made to U.S. Stockholders who fail to certify their non-foreign status to the Company. The Company is also subject to certain recordkeeping requirements whereby it must request on an annual basis information from certain stockholders designed to disclose the actual ownership of its outstanding stock in order to avoid monetary penalty.

Additional issues may arise pertaining to information reporting and backup withholding with respect to Non-U.S. Stockholders, and Non-U.S. Stockholders should consult their tax advisors with respect to any such information reporting and backup withholding requirements.

 

  (h)

State and Local Taxes

The Company and its stockholders may be subject to state or local taxation in various state or local jurisdictions, including those in which it or they transact business or reside. The state and local tax treatment of the Company and its stockholders may not conform to the federal income tax consequences discussed above. Consequently, prospective stockholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on an investment in the stock of the Company.

 

  (i)

Legislative Changes or other Actions Affecting REITs

The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department. No assurance can be given as to whether, when, or in what form, the U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to the Company and its stockholders may be enacted. Changes to the U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations of U.S. federal tax laws could adversely affect an investment in shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

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Plan of Distribution

We and/or any selling stockholders may sell securities through underwriters for public offer and sale by them, and also may sell securities offered hereby to investors directly or through agents. Any such underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Underwriters may offer and sell the securities at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at prices related to the prevailing market prices at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. We and/or any selling stockholders also may, from time to time, authorize underwriters acting as our agents to offer and sell securities upon terms and conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.

Any underwriters or agents in connection with an offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions, under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements to be entered into with us and/or any selling stockholders, to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or to contributions with respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with or perform services for us and/or any selling stockholders in the ordinary course of business.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us and/or any selling stockholders at the public offering price set forth in such prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in such prospectus supplement. Each delayed delivery contract will be for an amount not more than, and the aggregate principal amount of securities sold pursuant to delayed delivery contracts shall not be more than, the respective amounts stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom delayed delivery contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions, and other institutions but will in all cases be subject to approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except (i) the purchase by an institution of the securities covered by its delayed delivery contracts shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which such institution is subject, and (ii) if the securities are being sold to underwriters, we and/or any selling stockholders shall have sold to such underwriters the total principal amount of the securities less the principal amount thereof covered by delayed delivery contracts.

To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than we sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

During such time as we may be engaged in a distribution of the securities covered by this prospectus the Company is required to comply with Regulation M promulgated under the Exchange Act. With certain exceptions, Regulation M precludes us, any affiliated purchasers, and any broker-dealer or other person who participates in such distributing from bidding for or purchasing, or attempting to induce any person to bid for or purchase, any security which is the subject of the distribution until the entire distribution is complete. Regulation M also restricts bids or purchases made in order to stabilize the price of a security in connection with the distribution of that security.

 

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Any underwriters or agents in connection with an offering of the securities and their respective affiliates may be full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage and other financial and non- financial activities and services. Certain of the underwriters or agents and their respective affiliates may have provided, and may in the future provide, a variety of these services to the issuer and to persons and entities with relationships with us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters or agents and their respective affiliates, officers, directors and employees may purchase, sell or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade securities, derivatives, loans, commodities, currencies, credit default swaps and other financial instruments for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and trading activities may involve or relate to our assets, securities and/or instruments (directly, as collateral securing other obligations or otherwise) and/or persons and entities with relationships with us. The underwriters or agents and their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such assets, securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they should acquire, long and/or short positions in such assets, securities and instruments.

 

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Legal Matters

The validity of the securities being offered hereby and certain matters of U.S. federal income tax law will be passed upon for us by Holland & Knight LLP. Any underwriters will be advised about other issues relating to any transaction by their own legal counsel.

Experts

The consolidated financial statements and schedules as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022 and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of BDO USA, LLP (n/k/a BDO USA, P.A.), an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The financial statements of Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and the effectiveness of Healthcare Trust of America, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The financial statements of Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, incorporated by reference in this prospectus, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

Where You Can Find More Information

This prospectus summarizes material provisions of contracts and other documents referred to by us. Since this prospectus may not contain all the information that you may find important, you should review the full text of those documents. You should rely only on the information contained and incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different or inconsistent information from that contained in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor the underwriters are making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, as well as information we previously filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference, is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.

We make available free of charge through our website, which you can find at www.healthcarerealty.com, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Information on our website shall not be deemed to be a part of this prospectus.

Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that we have filed separately with the SEC that contains that information. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically modify and supersede the information included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus to the extent that the subsequently filed information modifies or supersedes the existing information.

The following documents are incorporated by reference (other than any portions of any such documents that are not deemed “filed” under the Exchange Act and applicable SEC rules):

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2023;

 

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our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2023 and August 8, 2023, respectively;

 

   

portions of our Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April  24, 2023 and incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022;

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 8, 2023 and August 8, 2023;

 

   

the description of our Class A common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated June 5, 2012, and any other amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description;

 

   

the consolidated financial statements of Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. and Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 included within Item 8 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed by Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. and Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP with the SEC on March 1, 2022;

 

   

the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. and Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP for the three months ended March  31, 2022 included within Item 1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, filed by Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. and Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP with the SEC on May 9, 2022;

 

   

the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. and Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 included within Exhibit 99.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed by Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. and Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP with the SEC on August 9, 2022 (but excluding Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations); and

 

   

any future filings we make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the termination of the offerings under this prospectus.

You may request a copy of any of these filings, at no cost, by writing to or telephoning the Company at the following address or telephone number:

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

3310 West End Avenue, Suite 700

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

Attention: Communications

(615) 269-8175

Communications@healthcarerealty.com

 

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PART II - INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the securities being registered hereby, other than underwriting discounts and commissions:

 

SEC registration fee

   $             *  

Printing and engraving expenses

     *  

Legal fees and expenses

     *  

Blue Sky filing fees and expenses

     *  

Accounting fees and expenses

     *  

Transfer agent or trustee fees

     *  

Miscellaneous expenses (including applicable listing fees)

     *  

 

 

TOTAL

   $ *  

 

*

To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference when required in connection with the offering of securities.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for (a) liability resulting from actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established in a judgment or other final adjudication as being material to the cause of action. The charter contains such a provision that allows the Company to eliminate the liability of its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

The MGCL permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that:

 

   

the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;

 

   

the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or

 

   

in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.

However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify a director or officer for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or if the director or officer was adjudged to be liable to the corporation nor may a director be indemnified in circumstances in which the director is found liable for an improper personal benefit, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses.

In addition, the MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of:

 

   

a written affirmation by the director or officer of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation; and

 

   

a written undertaking by the director or officer or on the director’s or officer’s behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the director or officer did not meet the standard of conduct.

 

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The bylaws obligate the Company, to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and to pay, reimburse or advance reasonable expenses to:

 

   

any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or

 

   

any individual who, while a director or officer of the Company and at the Company’s request, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager of another corporation, REIT, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity.

The bylaws also permit the Company, with the approval of its board of directors, to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of the Company in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of the Company or a predecessor of the Company.

In addition, the Company’s directors and officers are indemnified for specified liabilities and expenses pursuant to the partnership agreement of the OP, the partnership in which the Company serves as sole general partner.

Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons controlling the Company for liability arising under the Securities Act, the Company has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers whereby the Company indemnifies such directors and executive officers against all expenses and liabilities, and agrees to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding if such director or executive officer is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law, subject to limited exceptions. These indemnification agreements also provide that, upon an application for indemnity by a director or executive officer to a court of appropriate jurisdiction, such court may order the Company to indemnify such director or executive officer.

Item 16. Exhibits

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER    

         

DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT

  3.1           Fifth Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company, as amended1
  3.2           Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended2
  3.3           Certificate of Limited Partnership of Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., as amended
  3.4           Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P.3
  4.1           Indenture, dated as of March  28, 2013, among Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP (now Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P.), Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. (now Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, including the form of 3.70% Senior Notes due 2023 and the guarantee thereof4
  4.2           2026 Notes Indenture, dated as of July  12, 2016 among Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP (now Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P.), Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. (now Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated), and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, including the form of 3.50% Senior Notes due 2026 and the guarantee thereof5
  4.3           2027 Notes Indenture, dated as of June 8, 2017  among Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP (now Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P.), Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. (now Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated), and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, including the form of 3.75% Senior Notes due 2027 and the guarantee thereof6
  4.4           2030 Notes Indenture, dated as of September 16, 2019  among Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP (now Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P.), Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. (now Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated), and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, including the form of 3.10% Senior Notes due 2030 and the guarantee thereof7
  4.5           2031 Notes Indenture, dated as of September 28, 2020  among Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP (now Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P.), Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. (now Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated), and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, including the form of  2.00% Senior Notes due 2031 and the guarantee thereof7
  4.6           Indenture, dated as of July  22, 2022, by and among Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association3

 

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EXHIBIT
NUMBER    

         

DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT

  4.7           Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of July  22, 2022, by and among Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association3
  4.8           Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated as of July  22, 2022, by and among Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association3
  4.9           Supplemental Indenture No. 3, dated as of July  22, 2022, by and among Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association3
  4.10           Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of July  22, 2022, by and among Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association3
  4.11           Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 22, 2022, by and between HRTI, LLC and Truist Bank3
  4.12           3.875% Senior Notes due 20253
  4.13           3.625% Senior Notes due 2028 (No. 2028-1)3
  4.14           3.625% Senior Notes due 2028 (No. 2028-2)3
  4.15           2.400% Senior Notes due 2030 (No. 2030-1)3
  4.16           2.400% Senior Notes due 2030 (No. 2030-2)3
  4.17           2.050% Senior Notes due 20313
  4.18           Guarantee of 2025 Note3
  4.19           Guarantee of 2028 Note 3
  4.20           Guarantee of 2030 Note3
  4.21           Guarantee of 2031 Note3
  4.22           Form of Senior Indenture of Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., including the form of note and guarantee thereof
  4.23           Form of Subordinated Indenture of Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., including the form of note and guarantee thereof
  4.24           Form of Senior Indenture of Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, including the form of note thereof
  4.25           Form of Subordinated Indenture of Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, including the form of note thereof
  5           Opinion of Holland & Knight LLP
  8           Opinion of Holland & Knight LLP regarding tax matters
  23.1           Consent of BDO USA, P.A.
  23.2           Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
  23.3           Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
  23.4           Consent of Holland & Knight LLP (included in Exhibit 5)
  23.5           Consent of Holland & Knight LLP (included in Exhibit 8)
  24           Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereto)
  25.1           Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee under the Senior Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (to be filed in accordance with Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended)
  25.2           Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (to be filed in accordance with Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended)
  107           Filing Fee Table

 

1

Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on August 8, 2023 and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

2

Filed as an exhibit to Legacy HTA’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 29, 2020 and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

3

Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 26, 2022 and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

4

Filed as an exhibit to Legacy HTA’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2013 and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

5

Filed as an exhibit to Legacy HTA’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 12, 2016 and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

6

Filed as an exhibit to Legacy HTA’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 13, 2017 and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

7

Filed as an exhibit to Legacy HTA’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 16, 2019 and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

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Item 17. Undertakings

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(i)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

(ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

 

(iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(l)(i), (a)(l)(ii) and (a)(l)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is a part of the registration statement.

 

(2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4)

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

(i)

Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(ii)

Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

(5)

That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the

 

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  securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to the purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i)

Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii)

Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii)

The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about such undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of such undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv)

Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(6)

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(7)

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of their counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by them is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(8)

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

 

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Nashville, State of Tennessee, on August 8, 2023.

 

HEALTHCARE REALTY TRUST INCORPORATED
By:    

  /s/ Todd J. Meredith

    Todd J. Meredith
    President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints each of Todd J. Meredith and J. Christopher Douglas, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement, and any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the foregoing, as fully and to all intents and purposes as each might or could do in person hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

SIGNATURE

  

TITLE

 

DATE

/s/ Todd J. Meredith

   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director   August 8, 2023

Todd J. Meredith

   (Principal Executive Officer)  

/s/ J. Christopher Douglas

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial   August 8, 2023

J. Christopher Douglas

   Officer (Principal Financial Officer)  

/s/ Amanda L. Callaway

   Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting   August 8, 2023

Amanda L. Callaway

   Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)  

/s/ John V. Abbott

   Director   August 8, 2023

John V. Abbott

    

/s/ Nancy H. Agee

   Director   August 8, 2023

Nancy H. Agee

    

/s/ W. Bradley Blair, II

   Director   August 8, 2023

W. Bradley Blair, II

    

/s/ Vicki U. Booth

   Director   August 8, 2023

Vicki U. Booth

    

/s/ Edward H. Braman

   Director   August 8, 2023

Edward H. Braman

    

 

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SIGNATURE

  

TITLE

 

DATE

/s/ Ajay Gupta

   Director   August 8, 2023

Ajay Gupta

    

/s/ James J. Kilroy

   Director   August 8, 2023

James J. Kilroy

    

/s/ Jay P. Leupp

   Director   August 8, 2023

Jay P. Leupp

    

/s/ Peter F. Lyle

   Director   August 8, 2023

Peter F. Lyle

    

/s/ Constance B. Moore

   Director   August 8, 2023

Constance B. Moore

    

/s/ John Knox Singleton

   Director   August 8, 2023

John Knox Singleton

    

/s/ Christann M. Vasquez

   Director   August 8, 2023

Christann M. Vasquez

    

 

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Nashville, State of Tennessee, on August 8, 2023.

 

HEALTHCARE REALTY HOLDINGS, L.P.
By: HEALTHCARE REALTY TRUST INCORPORATED, its General Partner
By:    

  /s/ Todd J. Meredith

    Todd J. Meredith
    President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

 

II-8

Exhibit 3.3

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

HEALTHCARE TRUST OF AMERICA HOLDINGS, LP

(a Delaware limited partnership)

The undersigned, for the purpose of amending a certificate of limited partnership pursuant to Sections 17-202 and 17-204 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “Act”), hereby certifies that:

A. The name of the limited partnership is Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP (the “Partnership”).

B. Article First of the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership (the “Certificate”) is hereby amended to read as follows:

“The name of the Limited Partnership is Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P.”

C. Article Third of the Certificate is hereby amended as follows:

“The name and mailing address of the general partner is Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, 3310 West End Avenue, Suite 700, Nashville, Tennessee 37203.”

D. This amendment to the Certificate shall take effect at 4:30 p.m. ET on July 20, 2022.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Amendment as of the 19th day of July, 2022.

 

HEALTHCARE TRUST OF AMERICA HOLDINGS, LP
By:   Healthcare Trust of America, Inc.
Its:   General Partner
By:   /s/ Peter N. Foss
  Peter N. Foss
  Interim President and Chief Executive Officer


CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

GRUBB & ELLIS HEALTHCARE REIT HOLDINGS, LP

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Certificate of Limited Partnership pursuant to the provisions of Section 17-202 of the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

FIRST: The name of the Limited Partnership is Grubb & Ellis Healthcare REIT Holdings, LP.

SECOND: Article First of the Certificate of Limited Partnership shall be amended as follows:

The name of the Limited Partnership is Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP.

THIRD: Article Third of the Certificate of Limited Partnership shall be amended as follows:

The name and mailing address of the general partner is Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., 16427 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 440, Scottsdale, Arizona 85254.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executed this Certificate of Amendment on this 24th day of August, 2009.

 

 

HEALTHCARE TRUST OF AMERICA, INC.,

 

its General Partner

By:

 

/s/ Kellie S. Pruitt

 

Kellie S. Pruitt, Secretary


STATE OF DELAWARE

AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF

LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Certificate of Limited Partnership pursuant to the provisions of Section 17-202 of the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

FIRST: The name of the Limited Partnership is

NNN Healthcare / Office REIT Holdings, L.P.

SECOND: Article 1 of the Certificate of Limited Partnership shall be amended as follows:

The name of the Limited Partnership is Grubb & Ellis Healthcare REIT Holdings, L.P.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executed this Amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership on this 7 th day of December , A.D. 2007 .

 

By:   /s/ Andrea R. Biller
  General Partner(s)
By:   NNN Healthcare/Office REIT, Inc.,
  its General Partner
By:   Andrea R. Biller, Secretary


CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

NNN HEALTHCARE/OFFICE REIT HOLDINGS, L.P.

NNN HEALTHCARE/OFFICE REIT HOLDINGS, L.P (hereinafter called the “partnership”), a limited partnership organized under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “Act”), for the purpose of amending Certificate of Limited Partnership filed with the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware on April 20, 2006, hereby certifies that:

1. The name of the limited partnership is: NNN HEALTHCARE/OFFICE REIT HOLDINGS, L.P

2. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 17-202, Title 6, Delaware Code, the amendment to the Certificate of Limited partnership effected by this Certificate of Amendment is to change the address of the registered office of the partnership in the State of Delaware to 160 Greentree Drive, Suite 101 , Dover, Delaware 19904, County of Kent, and to change the name of the registered agent of the partnership in the State of Delaware at the said address to National Registered Agents, Inc.

The undersigned, a general partner of the partnership, executes this Certificate of Amendment on January 18, 2007.

 

By:   NNN Healthcare/Office Reit, Inc.,
  A Maryland Domestic Corporation,
  Its General Partner
  /s/ Paul J. Hagan
  By: Paul J. Hagan, Assistant Secretary


CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION

FILED TO CORRECT A CERTAIN ERROR IN THE

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

NNN HEALTHCARE/OFFICE REIT HOLDINGS, L.P.

 

1.

The name of the limited partnership is NNN HEALTHCARE/OFFICE REIT HOLDINGS, L.P.

 

2.

A Certificate of Limited Partnership was filed by the Secretary of State of Delaware on April 20, 2006 that requires correction as permitted by Section 17-213(a) of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act.

 

3.

The inaccuracy or defect of the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be corrected is as follows: the limited partnership’s registered agent is incorrect.

 

4.

The registered agent’s name and address is corrected to read as follows:

Corporation Service Company

2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400

Wilmington, Delaware 19808 County of New Castle

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed this Certificate of Correction of NNN HEALTHCARE/OFFICE REIT HOLDINGS, L.P. this 21st day of April, 2006.

 

  NNN HEALTHCARE/OFFICE REIT, INC., its
 

General Partner

By:

 

/s/ Andrea R. Biller

 

Andrea R. Biller

 

Secretary


CERTIFICATE

OF

LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

NNN HEALTHCARE/OFFICE REIT HOLDINGS, L.P.

The Undersigned, desiring to form a limited partnership pursuant to the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Delaware Code, Chapter 17, does hereby certify as follows:

FIRST. The name of the limited partnership is NNN Healthcare/Office REIT Holdings, L.P.

SECOND. The address of the limited partnership’s registered office in the State of Delaware is The Corporation Trust Company. The name of its registered agent at that office and address is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801.

THIRD. The name and mailing address of the general partner is NNN Healthcare/Office REIT, Inc., 1551 N. Tustin Avenue, Suite 200, Santa Ana, California 92705.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Limited Partnership of NNN Healthcare/Office REIT Holdings, L.P. as of April 20, 2006.

 

  NNN HEALTHCARE/OFFICE REIT, INC.
By:   /s/ Andrea R. Biller
  Name: Andrea R. Biller
  Title: Secretary

Exhibit 4.22

Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., as Issuer

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, as Guarantor

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee

 

 

SENIOR INDENTURE

Dated as of

[______]

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section

       Page  
ARTICLE 1

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01.  

Definitions

     1  
ARTICLE 2

 

FORMS GENERALLY AND DATING; ISSUABLE IN SERIES; REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES

 

Section 2.01.  

Forms Generally and Dating

     9  
Section 2.02.  

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

     10  
Section 2.03.  

Reserved

     10  
Section 2.04.  

Execution of Notes

     10  
Section 2.05.  

Note Registrar and Paying Agent

     11  
Section 2.06.  

Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer

     11  
Section 2.07.  

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes

     12  
Section 2.08.  

Temporary Notes

     13  
Section 2.09.  

Cancellation of Notes

     14  
Section 2.10.  

CUSIP Numbers

     14  
ARTICLE 3

 

REDEMPTION OF NOTES

 

Section 3.01.  

Optional Redemption of Notes

     14  
Section 3.02.  

Notice of Optional Redemption; Selection of Notes

     15  
Section 3.03.  

Payment of Notes Called for Redemption by the Issuer

     16  
ARTICLE 4

 

CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

 

Section 4.01.  

Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest

     16  
Section 4.02.  

Maintenance of Office or Agency

     16  
Section 4.03.  

Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office

     17  
Section 4.04.  

Provisions as to Paying Agent

     17  
Section 4.05.  

Existence

     18  
Section 4.06.  

Reports

     18  
Section 4.07.  

Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

     19  
Section 4.08.  

Compliance Certificate

     20  
Section 4.09.  

Limitations on Incurrence of Debt

     20  

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

Section

       Page  
Section 4.10.  

Insurance

     21  
ARTICLE 5

 

NOTEHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE

 

Section 5.01.  

Noteholders’ Lists

     22  
Section 5.02.  

Preservation and Disclosure of Lists

     22  
Section 5.03.  

Reports by Trustee

     22  
ARTICLE 6

 

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS ON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT

 

Section 6.01.  

Events of Default

     23  
Section 6.02.  

Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor

     25  
Section 6.03.  

Application of Monies Collected by Trustee

     26  
Section 6.04.  

Proceedings by Holders

     27  
Section 6.05.  

Proceedings by Trustee

     28  
Section 6.06.  

Remedies Cumulative and Continuing

     28  
Section 6.07.  

Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders

     28  
Section 6.08.  

Notice of Defaults

     29  
Section 6.09.  

Undertaking to Pay Costs

     29  
ARTICLE 7

 

THE TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.01.  

Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee

     30  
Section 7.02.  

Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc.

     31  
Section 7.03.  

No Responsibility for Recitals, etc.

     33  
Section 7.04.  

Trustee, Paying Agents or Registrar May Own Notes

     33  
Section 7.05.  

Monies to Be Held in Trust

     33  
Section 7.06.  

Compensation and Expenses of Trustee

     33  
Section 7.07.  

Officers’ Certificate as Evidence

     34  
Section 7.08.  

Conflicting Interests of Trustee

     34  
Section 7.09.  

Eligibility of Trustee

     34  
Section 7.10.  

Resignation or Removal of Trustee

     34  
Section 7.11.  

Acceptance by Successor Trustee

     35  
Section 7.12.  

Succession by Merger

     36  

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

Section

       Page  
Section 7.13.  

Preferential Collection of Claims

     36  
ARTICLE 8

 

RESERVED

 

ARTICLE 9

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

Section 9.01.  

Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders

     37  
Section 9.02.  

Supplemental Indenture With Consent of Holders

     38  
Section 9.03.  

Effect of Supplemental Indenture

     39  
Section 9.04.  

Notation on Notes

     39  
Section 9.05.  

Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished to Trustee

     39  
ARTICLE 10

 

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

 

Section 10.01.  

Issuer May Consolidate on Certain Terms

     39  
Section 10.02.  

Issuer Successor to Be Substituted

     40  
Section 10.03.  

Guarantor May Consolidate on Certain Terms

     40  
Section 10.04.  

Guarantor Successor to Be Substituted

     41  
Section 10.05.  

Assumption by Guarantor

     41  
ARTICLE 11

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

Section 11.01.  

Discharge of Indenture

     42  
Section 11.02.  

Deposited Monies to Be Held in Trust by Trustee

     42  
Section 11.03.  

Paying Agent to Repay Monies Held

     43  
Section 11.04.  

Return of Unclaimed Monies

     43  
Section 11.05.  

Reinstatement

     43  
ARTICLE 12

 

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

Section 12.01.  

Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     43  
Section 12.02.  

Legal Defeasance and Discharge

     44  
Section 12.03.  

Covenant Defeasance

     44  
Section 12.04.  

Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

     44  

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

Section

       Page  
Section 12.05.  

Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

     46  
Section 12.06.  

Repayment to Issuer

     46  
Section 12.07.  

Reinstatement

     46  
ARTICLE 13

 

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

 

Section 13.01.  

Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations

     47  
ARTICLE 14

 

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF NOTES

 

Section 14.01.  

Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called

     47  
Section 14.02.  

Call, Notice and Place of Meetings

     47  
Section 14.03.  

Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings

     48  
Section 14.04.  

Quorum; Action

     48  
Section 14.05.  

Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings

     49  
Section 14.06.  

Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings

     49  
ARTICLE 15

 

GUARANTEE

 

Section 15.01.  

Guarantee

     50  
Section 15.02.  

Execution and Delivery of Guarantee

     51  
Section 15.03.  

Limitation of Guarantor’s Liability; Certain Bankruptcy Events

     51  
Section 15.04.  

Release of Guarantor of Guarantee Obligations

     52  
ARTICLE 16

 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

Section 16.01.  

Provisions Binding on Issuer’s and Guarantor’s Successors

     52  
Section 16.02.  

Official Acts by Successor Corporation

     52  
Section 16.03.  

Addresses for Notices, etc.

     52  
Section 16.04.  

Governing Law

     53  
Section 16.05.  

Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent, Certificates to Trustee

     54  
Section 16.06.  

Legal Holidays

     54  
Section 16.07.  

Trust Indenture Act

     54  
Section 16.08.  

No Security Interest Created

     54  

 

iv


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

Section

       Page  
Section 16.09.  

Benefits of Indenture

     54  
Section 16.10.  

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

     55  
Section 16.11.  

Authenticating Agent

     55  
Section 16.12.  

Execution in Counterparts

     55  
Section 16.13.  

Severability

     56  

 

Exhibit A – Form of Note

     A1  
Exhibit B – Form of Guarantee      B1  

 

v


CROSS REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

   Indenture Section  

310(a)(1)

     7.09  

(a)(2)

     7.09  

(a)(3)

     N.A.  

(a)(4)

     N.A.  

(a)(5)

     N.A.  

(b)

     7.08, 7.10  

(c)

     N.A.  

311(a)

     7.13  

(b)

     7.13  

(c)

     N.A.  

312(a)

     5.01  

(b)

     5.02  

(c)

     5.02  

313(a)

     5.03  

(b)

     5.03  

(c)

     5.03  

(d)

     5.03  

314(a)

     4.06, 4.08  

(b)

     N.A.  

(c)(1)

     16.05  

(c)(2)

     16.05  

(c)(3)

     N.A.  

(d)

     N.A.  

(e)

     16.05  

(f)

     N.A.  

315(a)

     7.01  

(b)

     6.08  

(c)

     7.01  

(d)

     7.01  

(e)

     6.09  

316(a)(1)(A)

     6.07  

(a)(1)(B)

     6.07  

(a)(2)

     N.A.  

(b)

     N.A.  

(c)

     N.A.  

317(a)(1)

     6.02  

(a)(2)

     6.02  

(b)

     11.03  

318(a)

     N.A.  

 

 

N.A. means not applicable.

 

*

This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.

 

vi


SENIOR INDENTURE

SENIOR INDENTURE dated as of [______] (hereinafter called this “Indenture”) among Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (f/k/a Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership) (hereinafter called the “Issuer”), Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, a Maryland corporation (f/k/a Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., a Maryland corporation) (hereinafter called the “Guarantor” or, in its capacity as the sole general partner of the Issuer, the “General Partner”), each having its principal office at 3310 West End Avenue, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37203, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee hereunder (hereinafter called the “Trustee”).

WHEREAS, the Issuer for its lawful purposes has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its notes, Additional Notes (as defined below) or other evidence of indebtedness (hereinafter called the “Debt Securities” or “Notes”) to be issued in one or more series as herein provided; and

WHEREAS, the Guarantor has duly authorized the issuance of a guarantee of the Debt Securities, and to provide therefor the Guarantor has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture and such Guarantee.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

THAT, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants herein contained and of the purchase and acceptance of the Debt Securities by the holders thereof, and for other valuable consideration the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, it is hereby agreed among the Issuer, the Guarantor and the Trustee, for the benefit of those who shall hold the Debt Securities, as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01. Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any Supplemental Indenture shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.01. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act (as defined below) or which are by reference therein defined in the Securities Act (as defined below) (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Indenture Act and in the Securities Act as in force at the date of the execution of this Indenture. The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other Subdivision. The terms defined in this Article include the plural as well as the singular.

2026 Notes” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01 hereof.

 

1


Acquired Debt” means Debt of a Person (1) existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or (2) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case, other than Debt incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Subsidiary or such acquisition. Acquired Debt shall be deemed to be incurred on the date of the related acquisition of assets from any Person or the date the acquired Person becomes a Subsidiary.

Additional Notes” means additional Notes which may be issued from time to time in accordance with the terms of the applicable Supplemental Indenture.

Adjusted Treasury Rate” means, on any Redemption Date, the rate per year, as determined by the Quotation Agent, equal to:

(1) the yield, under the heading that represents the weekly average yield (being, if not reported as a weekly average yield, the average of the five most recent daily reported yields), appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15” or any successor publication that is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue; provided that if no maturity is within three months before or after the Remaining Life of the Debt Securities of such series, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue will be determined and the Adjusted Treasury Rate will be interpolated or extrapolated from those yields on a straight-line basis rounding to the nearest month; or

(2) if that release, or any successor release, is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per year equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that Redemption Date.

The Adjusted Treasury Rate will be calculated at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the third Business Day preceding the date of the notice of redemption by the Quotation Agent.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Agent” means any Note Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

Annual Debt Service Charge” as of any date means the amount of interest expense determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Authentication Order” means the written order of the Issuer directing the Trustee to authenticate any Debt Securities.

 

2


Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal, state, or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

Benefited Party” has the meaning specified in Section 15.01 hereof.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the General Partner or a committee of such board duly authorized to act for it hereunder.

Business Day” means, with respect to any Note, any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York, or in such other place of payment of the Notes, are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking S.A.

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the Remaining Life that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Life.

Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Trustee obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.

Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service” means, for any period, Earnings from Operations of Issuer and its Subsidiaries plus amounts which have been deducted, and minus amounts which have been added, for the following (without duplication): (1) Annual Debt Service Charge of Issuer and its Subsidiaries, (2) provision for taxes of Issuer and its Subsidiaries based on income, (3) provisions for gains and losses on properties and depreciation and amortization, (4) increases in deferred taxes and other non-cash items, (5) depreciation and amortization with respect to interests in joint venture and partially owned entity investments, (6) the effect of any charge resulting from a change in accounting principles in determining Earnings from Operations for such period, and (7) amortization of deferred charges.

Corporate Trust Office” or other similar term, means the designated office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business as it relates to this Indenture shall be administered, which office is, at the date as of which this Indenture is dated, located at the address set forth in Section 16.03 hereof.

Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 12.03 hereof.

CUSIP” means the Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures.

 

3


Custodian” means U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

Debt” means any of Issuer’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ indebtedness, whether or not contingent, in respect of (without duplication) (1) borrowed money evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, (2) indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or any security interest existing on property owned by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, but only to the extent of the lesser of (a) the amount of indebtedness so secured and (b) the fair market value (determined in good faith by the board of directors of such Person or, in the case of Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries, by the Board of Directors) of the property subject to such mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or security interest, (3) the reimbursement obligations, contingent or otherwise, in connection with any letters of credit actually issued or amounts representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, or all conditional sale obligations or obligations under any title retention agreement, or (4) any lease of property by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries as lessee which is reflected on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet as a financing lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; but only to the extent, in the case of items of indebtedness under (1) through (3) above, that any such items (other than letters of credit) would appear as a liability on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The term “Debt” also includes, to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise (other than for purposes of collection in the ordinary course of business or for the purposes of guaranteeing the payment of all amounts due and owing pursuant to leases to which Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries are a party and have assigned its or their interest, provided that such assignee of Issuer or its Subsidiary is not in default of any amounts due and owing under such leases), Debt of another Person (other than Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) (it being understood that Debt shall be deemed to be incurred by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries whenever Issuer or such Subsidiary shall create, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect thereof). In the case of items of indebtedness under (4) above, the term “Debt” will exclude any lease of property by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries as lessee which is reflected on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet as an operating lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

“Debt Securities” or “Notes” has the meaning specified in the second paragraph of this Indenture.

Default” means any event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become, an Event of Default.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03 hereof.

Depositary” means the clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as the Depositary for the Global Debt Securities. DTC shall be the initial Depositary, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.

 

4


Earnings from Operations” means, for any period, net income or loss of Issuer and its Subsidiaries, excluding: (1) provisions for gains and losses on sales of investments or joint ventures; (2) provisions for gains and losses on disposition of discontinued operations; (3) extraordinary and non-recurring items; and (4) impairment charges, property valuation losses and non-cash charges necessary to record interest rate contracts at fair value; plus amounts received as rent under leases which are accounted for as financing arrangements net of related interest income, as reflected in the consolidated financial statements of Issuer and its Subsidiaries for such period determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

EDGAR” has the meaning specified in Section 4.06(a) hereof.

Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear system.

Event of Default” means any event specified in Section 6.01 hereof as an Event of Default.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

General Partner” means the corporation named as the “General Partner” in the first paragraph of this Indenture, and, subject to the provisions of Article 10 hereof, shall include its successors and assigns.

Global Debt Securities Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Debt Securities issued under this Indenture.

Global Debt Securities” means the Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, and that bears the Global Debt Securities Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Debt Securities” attached thereto, issued in accordance with this Indenture.

Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit.

Guarantee” means the full and unconditional guarantee provided by the Guarantor in respect of the Notes as made applicable to the Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 15.01 hereof.

Guarantee Obligations” has the meaning specified in Section 15.01 hereof.

Guarantor” means the corporation named as the “Guarantor” in the first paragraph of this Indenture, and, subject to the provisions of Article 10 hereof, shall include its successors and assigns.

Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented.

 

5


Intercompany Debt” means Debt to which the only parties are any of Issuer, Guarantor and any of their Subsidiaries; provided, however, that with respect to any such Debt of which Issuer or Guarantor is the borrower, such Debt is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes.

interest” means, when used with reference to the Notes, any interest payable under the terms of the Notes.

Issuer” means the limited partnership named as the “Issuer” in the first paragraph of this Indenture, and, subject to the provisions of Article 10 hereof, shall include its successors and assigns.

Legal Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 12.02 hereof.

Note Register” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05 hereof.

Note Registrar” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05 hereof.

Noteholder” or “Holder” as applied to any Debt Security, or other similar terms (but excluding the term “beneficial holder”), means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Debt Security is registered on the Note Registrar’s books.

Officer” means, with respect to any Person, any person holding any of the following positions with such Person, or, in the case of a Person that is a partnership, the general partner of such Person: the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer and the Secretary.

Officers’ Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by any two Officers or by one such Officer and any Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary of such Person or, in the case of a Person that is a partnership, the general partner of such Person.

Opinion of Counsel” means, with respect to any Person, an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to such Person, or other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

outstanding,” when used with reference to Notes and subject to the provisions of Section 8.04 hereof, means, as of any particular time, all Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:

(1) Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(2) Notes, or portions thereof, (i) for the redemption of which monies in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or the Guarantor) or (ii) which shall have been otherwise discharged in accordance with Article 11 hereof;

(3) Notes in lieu of which, or in substitution for which, other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.07 hereof; and

 

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(4) Notes paid or redeemed pursuant to Article 3 hereof.

Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

Paying Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05 hereof.

Person” means a corporation, an association, a partnership, a limited liability company, an individual, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or a political subdivision thereof.

premium” means any premium payable under the terms of the Notes.

Primary Treasury Dealer” means a primary U.S. Government securities dealer.

Prospectus” means the Issuer’s and the Guarantor’s prospectus dated [______].

Quotation Agent” means the Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by the Issuer.

Redemption Date” means, with respect to any Note or portion thereof to be redeemed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof, the date fixed for such redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof and the provisions of any relevant Supplemental Indenture.

Redemption Price” means, with respect to any Note or portion thereof to be redeemed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof, the redemption price fixed for such redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof and the provisions of any relevant Supplemental Indenture.

Reference Treasury Dealer” means any one Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Issuer.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by Issuer, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such date of the notice of redemption.

Remaining Life” means the remaining term of the Debt Securities of such series to be redeemed, calculated as if the maturity date of such Debt Securities were the applicable par call date.

Responsible Officer” shall mean, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of or familiarity with the particular subject.

 

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Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

Significant Subsidiary” means any subsidiary which is a “significant subsidiary” within the meaning of Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission as in effect on the date hereof.

Stated Maturity,” with respect to any Debt Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date established by or pursuant to a Supplemental Indenture or such Note as the fixed date on which the principal of such Note or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock or other equity interest entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof) and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or managing general partner of which is such Person or a subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

Supplemental Indenture” has the meaning specified in Section 9.01 hereof.

Total Assets” as of any date means the sum of (1) Issuer’s and all of its Subsidiaries’ Undepreciated Real Estate Assets and (2) all of Issuer’s and all of its Subsidiaries’ other assets determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (but excluding intangibles).

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as it was in force at the date of this Indenture; provided, that if the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after the date hereof, the term “Trust Indenture Act” shall mean, to the extent required by such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

Trustee” means U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, and its successors and any corporation resulting from or surviving any consolidation or merger to which it or its successors may be a party and any successor trustee at the time serving as successor trustee hereunder.

Undepreciated Real Estate Assets” as of any date means the cost (original cost plus capital improvements) of Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ real estate assets, right of use assets associated with a financing lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles on such date, before depreciation and amortization determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; provided that “Undepreciated Real Estate Assets” will not include the right of use assets associated with an operating lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Unencumbered Total Asset Value” as of any date means the sum of (1) those Undepreciated Real Estate Assets not encumbered by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or

 

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security interest and (2) all of Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ other assets on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (but excluding intangibles), in each case which are unencumbered by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or security interest; provided, however, that, in determining Unencumbered Total Asset Value for purposes of Section 4.09(d) hereof, all investments by the Issuer and any of its Subsidiaries in unconsolidated joint ventures, unconsolidated limited partnerships, unconsolidated limited liability companies and other unconsolidated entities accounted for financial reporting purposes using the equity method of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles shall be excluded from Unencumbered Total Asset Value.

U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.

ARTICLE 2

FORMS GENERALLY AND DATING; ISSUABLE IN SERIES; REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES

Section 2.01. Forms Generally and Dating. The Debt Securities of each series shall be in the form of Exhibit A hereto, or established from time to time by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or in one or more Supplemental Indentures. The Debt Securities and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or by a resolution of the Board of Directors and may have such notations, legends or endorsements as the Issuer may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture or as may be required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. The Issuer shall approve and provide the form of the Debt Securities and the form of any Guarantee thereto and any notation, legend or endorsement thereon. If the form of Debt Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Authentication Order or the authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities.

Each Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The form of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by the Debt Securities shall be substantially as follows:

[FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE]

This is one of the Debt Securities of the series referred to on the reverse hereof.

 

                                                                                  ,
as Trustee  
By:  

     

  Authorized Signatory
 

Dated:

 

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Section 2.02. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to one or more resolutions of the Board of Directors, or established in or pursuant to one or more Supplemental Indentures, prior to the issuance of the Debt Securities of any series the terms and conditions of such Debt Securities as set forth in such Supplemental Indenture.

All Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such resolution of the Board of Directors or in any such Supplemental Indenture. Not all Debt Securities of any one series need be issued at the same time, and, unless otherwise so provided, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Debt Securities of such series.

If any of the terms of the Debt Securities of a series are established by action taken pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the Debt Securities of such series. With respect to Debt Securities of a series which are not to be issued at one time, such resolution of the Board of Directors or action may provide general terms or parameters for Debt Securities of such series and provide either that the specific terms of particular Debt Securities of such series shall be specified in a Authentication Order or that such terms shall be determined by the Issuer or its agents in accordance with a Authentication Order .

Section 2.03. Reserved.

Section 2.04. Execution of Notes. The Debt Securities shall be signed, in the name and on behalf of the Issuer, manually or by facsimile or other electronic imaging means by an Officer of the General Partner. The Trustee will, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, manually authenticate Debt Securities for issue under this Indenture. The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of such series outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities authorized for issuance by the Issuer pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.08 hereof.

In case any Officer of the General Partner who shall have signed any of the Notes shall cease to be such Officer of the General Partner before the Notes so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Issuer, such Notes nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Notes had not ceased to be such Officer of the General Partner, and any Note may be signed on behalf of the Issuer by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Note, shall be the proper Officers of the General Partner, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such an Officer of the General Partner.

 

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Section 2.05. Note Registrar and Paying Agent. The Issuer will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Note Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Note Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange (the “Note Register”). The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Note Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Note Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuer will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuer fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Note Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Note Registrar.

The Issuer initially appoints the DTC to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Debt Securities.

The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Note Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Debt Securities.

The Issuer will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or its Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuer, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.06. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer.

(a) Transfer of Debt Securities. The transfer of any series of Debt Securities may be registered by the registered owner thereof, in person or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, at the office or agency of the Issuer to be maintained by it as provided in Section 4.02, by delivering such Debt Security for cancellation, accompanied by delivery of a duly executed instrument of transfer, in form approved by the Issuer and satisfactory to the Trustee or its designee, and thereupon the Issuer shall execute in the name of the transferee or transferees, and the Trustee or the authenticating agent shall authenticate and deliver, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series and of like form for the same aggregate principal amount.

(b) Global Debt Securities Legend. Each Global Debt Security will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS GLOBAL DEBT SECURITY IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE

 

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MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL DEBT SECURITY MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(A) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL DEBT SECURITY MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.09 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL DEBT SECURITY MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

(c) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Debt Securities. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Debt Security have been exchanged for Debt Securities or a particular Debt Security has been redeemed or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Debt Security will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.09 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Debt Security is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Debt Security the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Debt Security will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Debt Security by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Debt Security, such other Global Debt Security will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Debt Security by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

Section 2.07. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes. In case any Note shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer in its discretion may execute, and upon its written request the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, a new Note, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Note, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Note so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case, the applicant for a substituted Note shall furnish to the Issuer, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such

 

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authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.

Following receipt by the Trustee or such authenticating agent, as the case may be, of satisfactory security or indemnity and evidence, as described in the preceding paragraph, the Trustee or such authenticating agent may authenticate any such substituted Note and make available for delivery such Note. Upon the issuance of any substituted Note, the Issuer may require the payment by the Holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Note which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption, as the case may be, shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer may, instead of issuing a substitute Note, pay or authorize the payment of, as the case may be, if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Issuer, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or in connection with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer, the Trustee and, if applicable, any Paying Agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.

Every substitute Note issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.07 by virtue of the fact that any Note is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder. To the extent permitted by law, all Notes shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment or exchange or redemption of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment or redemption of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

Section 2.08. Temporary Notes. Pending the preparation of Notes in certificated form, the Issuer may execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall, upon the written request of the Issuer, authenticate and deliver temporary Notes (printed or lithographed). Temporary Notes shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the Notes in certificated form, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Notes, all as may be determined by the Issuer. Every such temporary Note shall be executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee or such authenticating agent upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the Notes in certificated form. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer will execute and deliver to the Trustee or such authenticating agent Notes in certificated form and thereupon any or all temporary Notes may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at each office or agency maintained by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof and the Trustee or such authenticating agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in

 

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exchange for such temporary Notes an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes in certificated form. Such exchange shall be made by the Issuer at its own expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same limitations under this Indenture as Notes in certificated form authenticated and delivered hereunder.

Section 2.09. Cancellation of Notes. All Notes surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption or registration of transfer shall, if surrendered to the Issuer or any Paying Agent, which shall initially be the Trustee, or any Note Registrar, be surrendered to the Trustee and promptly canceled by it or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be promptly canceled by it and no Notes shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of such canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures, with copies of such cancelled Notes and related documentation provided to the Issuer. If the Issuer shall acquire any of the Notes, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.10. CUSIP Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Debt Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION OF NOTES

Section 3.01. Optional Redemption of Notes.

(a) The Issuer may, with respect to any Series of Notes, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Notes or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Notes or any part thereof prior to the applicable maturity date thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Notes. If a Series of Notes is redeemable and the Issuer wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the applicable maturity date thereof all or part of the Series of Notes pursuant to the terms of such Notes, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date and the principal amount of the Series of Notes to be redeemed. The Issuer shall give the notice at least 15 days before the Redemption Date (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Trustee).

(b) The Issuer shall not redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.01(a) hereof on any date if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated, and such an acceleration has not been rescinded or cured on or prior to such date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a default by the Issuer in the payment of the Redemption Price with respect to the Notes to be redeemed).

 

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Section 3.02. Notice of Optional Redemption; Selection of Notes. In case the Issuer shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Notes pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof, it shall fix a date for redemption and it or, at its written request received by the Trustee not fewer than five (5) Business Days prior (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee) to the date the notice of redemption is to be mailed (or sent by electronic transmission), the Trustee in the name of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall mail (or send by electronic transmission) or cause to be mailed (or sent by electronic transmission) a notice of such redemption not fewer than fifteen (15) calendar days nor more than sixty (60) calendar days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes so to be redeemed in whole or in part at its last address as the same appears on the Note Register; provided, that if the Issuer makes such request of the Trustee, it shall, together with such request, also give written notice of the Redemption Date to the Trustee; provided further that the text of the notice shall be prepared by the Issuer. Such mailing shall be by first class mail (unless sent by electronic transmission). The notice, if mailed in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note.

Each such notice of redemption shall specify: (i) the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; (ii) the CUSIP number or numbers, if any, of the Notes being redeemed; (iii) the Redemption Date (which shall be a Business Day); (iv) the Redemption Price at which Notes are to be redeemed; (v) the place or places of payment and that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Notes; and (vi) that interest accrued and unpaid to, but excluding, the Redemption Date will be paid as specified in said notice, and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portion thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. If fewer than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including CUSIP numbers, if any). In case any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that, on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

Whenever any Notes are to be redeemed, the Issuer will give the Trustee written notice of the Redemption Date, together with an Officers’ Certificate as to the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed not fewer than fifteen (15) calendar days (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the Redemption Date.

On or prior to the Redemption Date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section 3.02, the Issuer will deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 4.04 hereof) an amount of monies in immediately available funds sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date all the Notes (or portions thereof) so called for redemption at the appropriate Redemption Price; provided, that if such payment is made on the Redemption Date, it must be received by the Paying Agent, by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date. The Issuer shall be entitled to retain any interest, yield or gain on amounts deposited with the Paying Agent pursuant to this Section 3.02 in excess of amounts required hereunder to pay the Redemption Price.

 

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If less than all of the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Notes or portions thereof of the Global Debt Security or the Notes in certificated form to be redeemed (in principal amounts of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof), on a pro rata basis or such other method the Trustee deems fair and appropriate or is required by the Depositary. The Notes (or portions thereof) so selected for redemption shall be deemed duly selected for redemption for all purposes hereof.

Section 3.03. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption by the Issuer. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 3.02 hereof, the Notes or portion of Notes with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the place or places stated in such notice at the Redemption Price, and unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Notes at the Redemption Price, so long as Paying Agent holds funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Notes to be redeemed on the Redemption Date, then (a) such Notes will cease to be outstanding on and after the Redemption Date, (b) interest on the Notes or portion of Notes so called for redemption shall cease to accrue on and after the Redemption Date, (c) after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price) and, except as provided in Sections 7.05 and 11.02 hereof, such Notes will cease to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and (d) the Holders of the Notes shall have no right in respect of such Notes except the right to receive the Redemption Price thereof. On presentation and surrender of such Notes at a place of payment in said notice specified, the said Notes or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the Redemption Price, together with interest accrued thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

Upon presentation of any Note redeemed in part only, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Note or Notes, of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Notes so presented.

ARTICLE 4

CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

Section 4.01. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. The Issuer covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid when due the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), and premium, if any, and interest on each of the Global Debt Securities at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the applicable Supplemental Indenture and Notes; provided, that the Issuer or Paying Agent may withhold from payments of interest and upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof, maturity or otherwise, any amounts the Issuer or Paying Agent is required to withhold by law.

Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Issuer will maintain an office or agency, where the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or redemption and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. As of the date of this Indenture, such office shall be the Corporate Trust Office and, at any other time, at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Issuer. The Issuer will give prompt

 

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written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency not designated or appointed by the Trustee. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office; provided, however, that the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee shall not be an office or agency of the Issuer for the purpose of effective service of legal process on the Issuer.

The Issuer may also from time to time designate co-registrars and one or more offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Issuer hereby initially designates the Trustee as Paying Agent, Note Registrar and Custodian, and the Corporate Trust Office shall be considered as one such office or agency of the Issuer for each of the aforesaid purposes.

So long as the Trustee is the Note Registrar, the Trustee agrees to mail (or send by electronic transmission), or cause to be mailed, the notices set forth in Section 7.10 and the third paragraph of Section 7.11 hereof. If co-registrars have been appointed in accordance with this Section 4.02, the Trustee shall mail such notices only to the Issuer and the Holders of Notes it can identify from its records.

Section 4.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustees Office. The Issuer, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as provided in Section 7.10 hereof, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

Section 4.04. Provisions as to Paying Agent.

(a) If the Issuer shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, or if the Trustee shall appoint such a Paying Agent, the Issuer will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.04:

(1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Notes (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Notes) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes;

(2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Notes) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Notes when the same shall be due and payable; and

(3) that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust.

 

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The Issuer shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum (in funds which are immediately available on the due date for such payment) sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action; provided, that if such deposit is made on the due date, such deposit shall be received by the Paying Agent by 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on such date.

(b) If the Issuer shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and interest so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Issuer (or any other obligor under the Notes) to make any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes when the same shall become due and payable.

(c) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Issuer may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Issuer or any Paying Agent hereunder as required by this Section 4.04, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment by the Issuer or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Issuer or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

(d) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 4.04 is subject to Sections 11.02 and 11.03 hereof.

The Trustee shall not be responsible for the actions of any other Paying Agents (including the Issuer if acting as its own Paying Agent) and shall have no control of any funds held by such other Paying Agents.

Section 4.05. Existence. Subject to Article 10 hereof, each of the Issuer and the Guarantor will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and rights (charter and statutory); provided, that neither the Issuer nor the Guarantor shall be required to preserve any such right if the Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

Section 4.06. Reports.

(a) Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuer will furnish to the Trustee:

 

  (1)

all quarterly and annual reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Issuer were required to file such reports; and

 

  (2)

all current reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Issuer were required to file such reports,

 

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in each case within fifteen (15) days after the Issuer files such reports with the Commission or would be required to file such reports with the Commission pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, whichever is earlier. Reports, information and documents filed with the Commission via the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”) will be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time of such filing via EDGAR for purposes of this covenant; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been filed via EDGAR.

Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under this Section 4.06 is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive or actual notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of the covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports. Each annual report on Form 10-K will include a report on the Issuer’s consolidated financial statements by its independent registered public accounting firm, unless otherwise permitted by the Commission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if permitted by the Commission, the Issuer may satisfy its obligation to furnish the reports described above by furnishing such reports filed by the Guarantor. The Issuer will file a copy of each of the reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the Commission for public availability within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations applicable to such reports (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) and will make the reports available on its website within fifteen (15) days after it files such reports with the Commission.

If the Issuer is no longer subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the Issuer will nevertheless continue filing the reports specified in clauses (1) and (2) above with the Commission within the time periods specified above unless the Commission will not accept such a filing. The Issuer will not take any action for the purpose of causing the Commission not to accept any such filings. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commission will not accept the Issuer’s filings for any reason, the Issuer will make the reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above available on its website within fifteen (15) days after the Issuer would be required to file such reports with the Commission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if permitted by the Commission, the Issuer’s obligations to file reports under this Section 4.06(a) may be satisfied by the filing of the reports described in clauses (1) and (2) above by the Guarantor.

(b) For so long as any Notes remain outstanding, if at any time it is not required to file with the Commission the reports required by paragraphs (a) of this Section 4.06, the Issuer will furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

Section 4.07. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Issuer covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law or other law which would prohibit or forgive the Issuer from paying all or any portion of the principal,

 

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premium, if any, or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture and the Issuer (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

Section 4.08. Compliance Certificate. Within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the end of each fiscal year of the Issuer, the Issuer and the Guarantor shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate signed by any of the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Issuer and the Guarantor, as the case may be, stating whether or not the signer has knowledge of any Default under this Indenture, and, if so, specifying each Default and the nature and the status thereof.

The Issuer will deliver to the Trustee, within thirty (30) calendar days of becoming aware of (i) any default in the performance or observance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Indenture, or (ii) any Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying with particularity such Default or Event of Default and further stating what action the Issuer has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Any notice required to be given under this Section 4.08 shall be delivered to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 4.09. Limitations on Incurrence of Debt.

(a) Limitation on Total Outstanding Debt. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt (including (i) guarantees of Debt incurred by the Guarantor and (ii) guarantees of debt of a Subsidiary of the Guarantor that is not a Subsidiary of the Issuer), other than Intercompany Debt and guarantees of Debt incurred by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries in compliance with this Indenture, if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all of the Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ outstanding Debt on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is greater than 60% of the sum of (without duplication) (1) Total Assets as of the end of the Issuer’s most recently completed fiscal quarter prior to the incurrence of such additional Debt and (2) the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Debt), by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries since the end of such calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional Debt.

(b) Limitation on Secured Debt. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt (including (i) guarantees of Debt incurred by the Guarantor and (ii) guarantees of debt of a Subsidiary of the Guarantor that is not a Subsidiary of the Issuer), other than Intercompany Debt and guarantees of Debt incurred by Issuer or its Subsidiaries in compliance with this Indenture, secured by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge, encumbrance or security interest of any kind upon any of Issuer’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ property if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds

 

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thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all of Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ outstanding Debt on a consolidated basis which is secured by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge, encumbrance or security interest on Issuer’s or its Subsidiaries’ property is greater than 40% of the sum of (without duplication) (1) Total Assets as of the end of the Issuer’s most recently completed fiscal quarter prior to the incurrence of such additional Debt and (2) the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Debt), by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries since the end of such calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional Debt; provided, that for purposes of this limitation, the amount of obligations under capital leases shown as a liability on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet shall be deducted from Debt and from Total Assets.

(c) Ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service to the Annual Debt Service Charge. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt, other than Intercompany Debt and guarantees of Debt by Issuer or its Subsidiaries in compliance with this Indenture, if the ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service to the Annual Debt Service Charge for the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended prior to the date on which such additional Debt is to be incurred shall have been less than 1.5 to 1.0, on an unaudited pro forma basis after giving effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, and calculated on the assumption that: (1) such Debt and any other Debt incurred by Issuer and its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period and the application of the proceeds therefrom, including to refinance other Debt, had occurred at the beginning of such period; (2) the repayment or retirement of any other Debt by Issuer and its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period had been repaid or retired at the beginning of such period (except that, in making such computation, the amount of Debt under any revolving credit facility shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Debt during such period); (3) in the case of Acquired Debt or Debt incurred in connection with any acquisition since the first day of such four-quarter period, the related acquisition had occurred as of the first day of such period, with the appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition being included in such unaudited pro forma calculation; and (4) in the case of any acquisition or disposition by Issuer or its Subsidiaries of any asset or group of assets or other placement of any assets in service or removal of any assets from service by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period, whether by merger, stock purchase or sale, or asset purchase or sale, such acquisition, disposition, placement in service or removal from service, or any related repayment of Debt had occurred as of the first day of such period, with the appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition, disposition, placement in service or removal from service, being included in such unaudited pro forma calculation.

(d) Maintenance of Unencumbered Total Asset Value. The Issuer, together with its Subsidiaries, will at all times maintain an Unencumbered Total Asset Value in an amount not less than 150% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ unsecured Debt, taken as a whole.

Section 4.10. Insurance. The Issuer will, and will cause of each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain insurance with financially sound and reputable insurance companies against such risks and in such amounts as is customarily maintained by Persons engaged in similar businesses or as may be required by applicable law.

 

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ARTICLE 5

NOTEHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE

Section 5.01. Noteholders Lists. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Supplemental Indenture, the Issuer covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee, semiannually, not more than fifteen (15) calendar days after each April 1 and October 1 of each year beginning with October 1, 2022, and at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Issuer of any such request (or such lesser time as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to enable it to timely provide any notice to be provided by it hereunder), a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes as of a date not more than fifteen (15) calendar days (or such other date as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to so provide any such notices) prior to the time such information is furnished, except that no such list need be furnished by the Issuer to the Trustee so long as the Trustee is acting as the sole Note Registrar.

Section 5.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists.

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 hereof or maintained by the Trustee in its capacity as Note Registrar or co-registrar in respect of the Notes, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 hereof upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b) The rights of Noteholders to communicate with other Holders of Notes with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Notes, and the corresponding rights and duties of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.

(c) Every Noteholder agrees with the Issuer and the Trustee that neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders of Notes made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 5.03. Reports by Trustee.

(a) On or before May 15 of each year beginning with May 15, 2023, the Trustee shall transmit to Holders of Notes such reports dated as of May 15 of the year in which such reports are made concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. In the event that no events have occurred under the applicable Sections of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall be under no duty or obligation to provide such reports.

(b) A copy of such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders of Notes, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange and automated quotation system, if any, upon which the Notes are listed and with the Issuer. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing if the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or automated quotation system or delisted therefrom.

 

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ARTICLE 6

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS ON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 6.01. Events of Default. In case one or more of the following (each an “Event of Default”) (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body) shall have occurred and be continuing:

(a) default for thirty (30) days in the payment of any installment of interest under the Debt Securities of such series; or

(b) default in the payment of the principal amount or Redemption Price due with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, when the same becomes due and payable; provided, however, that a valid extension of the applicable maturity date in accordance with the terms hereof shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal; or

(c) the Issuer fails to comply with any of the Issuer’s other agreements contained in the Debt Securities of such series or this Indenture upon receipt by the Issuer of notice of such default by the Trustee or by Holders of not less than twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding and the Issuer fails to cure (or obtain a waiver of) such default within sixty (60) days after the Issuer receives such notice; or

(d) failure to pay any indebtedness for monies borrowed by the Issuer, the Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer in an outstanding principal amount in excess of $50,000,000 at final maturity or upon acceleration after the expiration of any applicable grace period, which indebtedness is not discharged, or such default in payment or acceleration is not cured or rescinded, within thirty (30) days after written notice to the Issuer from the Trustee (or to the Issuer and the Trustee from Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series); provided, however, that for the purposes of this Section 6.01(d), $50,000,000 shall be replaced by $35,000,000 for so long as any of the Issuer’s 3.50% Senior Notes Due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) are outstanding; or

(e) the Issuer, the Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer pursuant to or under or within meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences a voluntary case or proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or its debts or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer; or

 

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(ii) consents to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer; or

(iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

(f) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Issuer, the Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of thirty (30) calendar days; or

(g) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against the Issuer, the Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer in an involuntary case or proceeding; or

(ii) appoints a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer; or

(iii) orders the liquidation of the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer;

and, in each case in this clause (g), the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for thirty (30) calendar days,

then, in each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), 6.01(f) or 6.01(g) hereof with respect to the Issuer), unless the principal of all of the Debt Securities of such series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding, by notice in writing to the Issuer and the Guarantor (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal amount of and premium, if any, and interest accrued and unpaid on all the Debt Securities of such series to be immediately due and payable, and upon any such declaration the same shall be immediately due and payable.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), 6.01(f) or 6.01(g) hereof occurs with respect to the Issuer, the principal amount of and premium, if any, and interest accrued and unpaid on all the Debt Securities of such series shall be immediately and automatically due and payable without necessity of further action.

 

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If, at any time after the principal amount of and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities of such series shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the monies due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding on behalf of the Holders of all of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding, by written notice to the Issuer and to the Trustee, may waive all Defaults or Events of Default and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, subject in all respects to Section 6.07 hereof, if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal amount and any accrued and unpaid interest that have become due solely because of such acceleration, have been cured or waived. No such rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent Default or Event of Default, or shall impair any right consequent thereon. The Issuer shall notify in writing a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, promptly upon becoming aware thereof, of any Event of Default, as provided in Section 4.08 hereof.

In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such waiver or rescission and annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Issuer, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Issuer, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

Section 6.02. Payments of Debt Securities on Default; Suit Therefor. The Issuer covenants that in the case of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) hereof, upon demand of the Trustee, the Issuer will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series, (i) the whole amount that then shall be due and payable on all such Debt Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, or interest, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon the overdue installments of accrued and unpaid interest at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of such series, plus 1%, from the required payment date and, (ii) in addition thereto, any amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof. Until such demand by the Trustee, the Issuer may pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities of such series to the registered Holders, whether or not the Debt Securities of such series are overdue.

In case the Issuer shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Issuer or any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuer or any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series wherever situated the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable.

In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Issuer or any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series under any Bankruptcy Law, or any other applicable law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken

 

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possession of the Issuer or such other obligor, the property of the Issuer or such other obligor, or in the case of any other judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or such other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Debt Securities of such series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.02, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, accrued and unpaid interest in respect of the Debt Securities of such series, and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series, its or their creditors, or its or their property, and to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of any amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof, and to take any other action with respect to such claims, including participating as a member of any official committee of creditors, as it reasonably deems necessary or advisable, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, custodian or similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Holders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements, including counsel fees and expenses incurred by it up to the date of such distribution. To the extent that such payment of reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements out of the estate in any such proceedings shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, monies, securities and other property which the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series may be entitled to receive in such proceedings, whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debt Securities of such series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Debt Securities of such series, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series.

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and in any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series, and it shall not be necessary to make any Holders of the Debt Securities of such series parties to any such proceedings.

Section 6.03. Application of Monies Collected by Trustee. Any monies collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 6, shall be applied, in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such monies, upon presentation of the Debt Securities of such series, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof;

 

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SECOND: In case the principal of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such Debt Securities in which an Event of Default exists in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) as provided in Section 6.02 hereof upon the overdue installments of interest at the annual rate of 1% above then applicable interest rate, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto;

THIRD: In case the principal of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, and be unpaid to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon such Debt Securities for principal and premium, if any, and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of accrued and unpaid interest, as provided in Section 6.02 hereof, and in case such monies shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon such Debt Securities, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Note over any other Note, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest; and

FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Issuer or any other Person lawfully entitled thereto.

Section 6.04. Proceedings by Holders. No Holder of any Note shall have any right by virtue of or by reference to any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator, custodian or other similar official, or for any other remedy hereunder, except in the case of a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities of such series, unless (a) such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided, (b) the Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such security or indemnity as it may require against the costs, liabilities or expenses to be incurred therein or thereby, (c) the Trustee for ninety (90) calendar days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of security or indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and (d) no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and Holder of every Debt Security with every other taker and Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders of Debt Securities shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of or by reference to any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb

 

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or prejudice the rights of any other Holder of Debt Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders of Debt Securities (except as otherwise provided herein). For the protection and enforcement of this Section 6.04, each and every Noteholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture and any provision of any Debt Security, the right of any Holder of any Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof) and premium, if any, and accrued interest on such Debt Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt Security or in the event of redemption, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates against the Issuer shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.05. Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default, the Trustee may, in its discretion, proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as are necessary to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

Section 6.06. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing. All powers and remedies given by this Article 6 to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any of the Debt Securities of such series to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or any acquiescence therein, and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.04 hereof, every power and remedy given by this Article 6 or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.

Section 6.07. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided, that (a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, (b) the Trustee may take any other action which is not inconsistent with such direction, (c) the Trustee may decline to take any action that would benefit some Holders to the detriment of other Holders or otherwise be unduly prejudicial to the Holders not joining therein and (d) the Trustee may decline to take any action that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any such action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

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The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time outstanding may, on behalf of the Holders of all of such Debt Securities, waive any past Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except (i) a default in the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), premium, if any, or interest on such Debt Securities, unless such default has been cured and the Issuer or the Guarantor has deposited with the Trustee all required payments of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debt Securities (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities then outstanding may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration) or (ii) a default in respect of a covenant or provisions hereof which under Article 9 hereof cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holders of all such Debt Securities then outstanding or each such Debt Security affected thereby.

Upon any such waiver, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 6.07, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.08. Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within sixty (60) calendar days after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of the occurrence of a Default, mail (or send by electronic transmission) to all Holders, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear upon the Note Register, notice of all Defaults known to a Responsible Officer, unless such Defaults shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided, that except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), or interest on any of the Debt Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Trustee determines in good faith that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders.

Section 6.09. Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Note by its acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may, in its discretion, require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided, that the provisions of this Section 6.09 (to the extent permitted by law) shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Issuer or the Guarantor, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Noteholder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than ten percent (10%) in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04 hereof, or to any suit instituted by any Noteholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), or interest on any Note on or after the due date expressed in such Note.

 

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ARTICLE 7

THE TRUSTEE

Section 7.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiver of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of its own affairs.

No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred:

(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith and willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;

(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the written direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time outstanding determined as provided in Section 8.04 hereof relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture;

(d) whether or not therein provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 8.04;

(e) the Trustee shall not be liable in respect of any payment (as to the correctness of amount, entitlement to receive or any other matters relating to payment) or notice effected by the Issuer or any Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) or any records maintained by any co-registrar (other than the Trustee) with respect to the Debt Securities of such series;

 

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(f) if any party fails to deliver a notice relating to an event the fact of which, pursuant to this Indenture, requires notice to be sent to the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely on its failure to receive such notice as reason to act as if no such event occurred unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless the Trustee has otherwise received written notice thereof; and

(g) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default hereunder unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless the Trustee shall have been notified in writing of such Event of Default by the Issuer or a Holder of Debt Securities of such series.

None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Except as explicitly specified otherwise herein, Issuer will be responsible for making all calculations required under this Indenture and the Debt Securities. Issuer will make such calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, Issuer’s calculations will be final and binding on Holders of the Debt Securities. Issuer will provide a schedule of its calculations to the Trustee, and the Trustee is entitled to rely upon the accuracy of Issuer’s calculations without independent verification. The Trustee will forward Issuer’s calculations to any Holder of the Debt Securities upon request.

Section 7.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01 hereof:

(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, Note, coupon or other paper or document (whether in its original, facsimile or electronic form) believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer or the General Partner;

(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance on and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

 

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(d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;

(e) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney;

(f) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed by it with due care hereunder;

(g) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(h) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;

(i) the Trustee may request that the Issuer deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;

(j) any permissive right or authority granted to the Trustee shall not be construed as a mandatory duty;

(k) the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for punitive, special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of actions; and

(l) the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; and acts of civil or military authorities and governmental action.

 

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Section 7.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, etc. The recitals contained herein and in the underlying Debt Securities (except in the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of any Debt Securities or the proceeds of any Debt Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

Section 7.04. Trustee, Paying Agents or Note Registrar May Own Debt Securities. The Trustee, any Paying Agent or Note Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent or Note Registrar.

Section 7.05. Monies to Be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02 hereof, all monies received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received. Monies held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any monies received by it hereunder except as may be agreed in writing from time to time by the Issuer and the Trustee.

Section 7.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. The Issuer covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in any capacity (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as mutually agreed to from time to time in writing between the Issuer and the Trustee, and the Issuer will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances reasonably incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence, willful misconduct, recklessness or bad faith. The Issuer also covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (or any officer, director or employee of the Trustee), in any capacity under this Indenture and any authenticating agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or reasonable expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence, willful misconduct, recklessness or bad faith on the part of the Trustee or such officers, directors, employees or authenticating agent, as the case may be, and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or in any other capacity hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer, any Holder or any other Person) of liability in the premises. The obligations of the Issuer under this Section 7.06 to compensate or indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Debt Securities of such series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular such Debt Securities. The obligation of the Issuer under this Section 7.06 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

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When the Trustee and its agents and any authenticating agent incur expenses or render services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), 6.01(f) or 6.01(g) hereof with respect to the Issuer occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute reasonable expenses of administration under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.

Section 7.07. Officers Certificate as Evidence. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01 hereof, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of gross negligence, bad faith, recklessness or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee.

Section 7.08. Conflicting Interests of Trustee. If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

Section 7.09. Eligibility of Trustee. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 (or if such Person is a member of a bank holding company system, its bank holding company shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000). If such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of any supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 7.09 the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.09, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 7.10. Resignation or Removal of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Issuer and to the Holders of Debt Securities. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment sixty (60) calendar days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the Holders, the resigning Trustee may, upon ten (10) Business Days’ notice to the Issuer and the Holders, appoint a successor identified in such notice or may petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or, if any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debt Security for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 6.09 hereof, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

 

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(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:

(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 7.08 hereof after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debt Security for at least six months; or

(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.09 hereof and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any such Noteholder; or

(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;

then, in any such case, the Issuer may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 6.09 hereof, any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debt Security for at least six months may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee; provided, that if no successor Trustee shall have been appointed and have accepted appointment sixty (60) calendar days after either the Issuer or the Holders has removed the Trustee, or the Trustee resigns, the Trustee so removed may petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

(c) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 7.10 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 7.11 hereof.

(d) Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.10, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.06 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

Section 7.11. Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 7.10 hereof shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Issuer and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Issuer or of the successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amount then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06 hereof, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to act. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Issuer shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers.

 

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Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property and funds held or collected by such trustee as such, except for funds held in trust for the benefit of Holders of particular Debt Securities, to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06 hereof.

No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 7.11 unless, at the time of such acceptance, such successor trustee shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 7.08 hereof and be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.09 hereof.

Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section 7.11, the Issuer (or the former trustee, at the written direction of the Issuer) shall mail (or send by electronic transmission) or cause to be mailed (or sent by electronic transmission) notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to the Holders of Debt Securities at their addresses as they shall appear on the Note Register. If the Issuer fails to mail such notice within ten (10) calendar days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Issuer.

Section 7.12. Succession by Merger. Any organization or entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or exchanged or with which it may be consolidated, or any organization or entity resulting from any merger, conversion, exchange or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any organization or entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor to the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided, that in the case of any organization or entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, such corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 7.08 hereof and eligible under the provisions of Section 7.09 hereof.

In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Debt Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or authenticating agent appointed by such predecessor trustee, and deliver such Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee or any authenticating agent appointed by such successor trustee may authenticate such Debt Securities in the name of the successor trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force that is provided in the Debt Securities or in this Indenture; provided, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Debt Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, exchange or consolidation.

Section 7.13. Preferential Collection of Claims. If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of the claims against the Issuer (or any such other obligor).

 

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ARTICLE 8

RESERVED

ARTICLE 9

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. The Issuer, the Guarantor and the Trustee may, from time to time, and at any time enter into a supplemental indenture (a “Supplemental Indenture”) without the consent of the Holders of any series of Notes for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to evidence a successor to the Issuer as obligor or to the Guarantor as guarantor under this Indenture;

(b) to add to the covenants of the Issuer or the Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer or the Guarantor in this Indenture or in the Notes;

(c) to add Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes;

(d) to amend or supplement any provisions of this Indenture; provided, that no amendment or supplement shall materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of any Notes then outstanding;

(e) to secure the Notes;

(f) to provide for the acceptance of appointment of a successor Trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under this Indenture by more than one Trustee;

(g) to provide for rights of Holders of Notes if any consolidation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of property or assets of the Issuer and the Guarantor occurs;

(h) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture; provided, that this action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Notes in any material respect;

(i) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture and the relevant Supplemental Indenture;

(j) to establish the form or terms of the Debt Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.02;

(k) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any of the Debt Securities; provided, that the action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any material respect; or

(l) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Guarantee or the Debt Securities to any provision of the description thereof set forth in the Prospectus to the extent that such provision in the Prospectus was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision in this Indenture, the Guarantee or the Debt Securities.

 

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Upon the written request of the Issuer, accompanied by a copy of the resolutions of the General Partner authorizing the execution of any Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer and the Guarantor in the execution of any such Supplemental Indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any Supplemental Indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any Supplemental Indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.01 may be executed by the Issuer, the Guarantor and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Notes at the time outstanding.

Section 9.02. Supplemental Indenture With Consent of Holders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 8 hereof) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of each series at the time outstanding, the Issuer, the Guarantor and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into a Supplemental Indenture for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Notes; provided, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Note affected thereby:

(a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of or any installment of interest on the Notes, reduce the principal amount of, or the rate or amount of interest on, or any premium payable on redemption of, the Notes, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the Holder of the Notes, change the place of payment, or the coin or currency, for payment of principal of or interest on any Note or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the Notes;

(b) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes necessary to modify or amend this Indenture, to waive compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults and their consequences provided in this Indenture, or to reduce the requirements of quorum or change voting requirements set forth in this Indenture;

(c) modify or affect in any manner adverse to the Holders the terms and conditions of the obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantor (except as provided in Section 15.04) in respect of the due and punctual payments of principal and interest; or

(d) modify any of this Section 9.02 or 6.07 hereof or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of certain past Defaults or certain covenants, except to increase the required percentage to effect the action or to provide that certain other provisions may not be modified or waived without the consent of the Holders of the Notes.

Upon the written request of the Issuer, accompanied by a copy of the resolutions of the General Partner authorizing the execution of any Supplemental Indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Noteholders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantor in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

 

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It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Noteholders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed Supplemental Indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

Section 9.03. Effect of Supplemental Indenture. Any Supplemental Indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9 shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect, provided that this Section 9.03 shall not require such Supplemental Indenture or the Trustee to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act prior to the time, if ever, such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act or the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, nor shall it constitute any admission or acknowledgment by any party to such Supplemental Indenture that any such qualification is required prior to the time, if ever, such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act or the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. Upon the execution of any Supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of Notes shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder, subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions of any such Supplemental Indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

Section 9.04. Notation on Notes. Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any Supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9 may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such Supplemental Indenture. If the Issuer or the Trustee shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Issuer, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such Supplemental Indenture may, at the Issuer’s expense, be prepared and executed by the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee (or an authenticating agent duly appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 16.11 hereof) and delivered in exchange for the Notes then outstanding, upon surrender of such Notes then outstanding.

Section 9.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished to Trustee. Prior to entering into any Supplemental Indenture pursuant to this Article 9, the Trustee shall be provided with an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any Supplemental Indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article 9 and is otherwise authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

ARTICLE 10

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

Section 10.01. Issuer May Consolidate on Certain Terms. Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Issuer with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer), or successive consolidations or mergers in which either the Issuer will be the continuing entity or the Issuer or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property of the Issuer, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer); provided, however, that the following conditions are met:

 

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(a) the Issuer shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than the Issuer) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the transfer of assets shall be domiciled in the United States and shall expressly assume payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Notes and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture;

(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(c) either the Issuer or the successor Person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a Supplemental Indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such Supplemental Indenture comply with this Article 10 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

No such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease shall be permitted by this Section 10.01 unless prior thereto the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the Issuer’s obligations hereunder shall remain in full force and effect thereafter.

Section 10.02. Issuer Successor to Be Substituted. Upon any consolidation by the Issuer with or merger of the Issuer into any other Person or any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer to any Person in accordance with Section 10.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Issuer herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released and discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Notes thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

Section 10.03. Guarantor May Consolidate on Certain Terms. Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Guarantor with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with the Guarantor), or successive consolidations or mergers in which either the Guarantor will be the continuing entity or the Guarantor or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property of the Guarantor, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Guarantor); provided, however, that the following conditions are met:

(a) the Guarantor shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than the Guarantor) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the transfer of assets shall be domiciled in the United States and shall expressly assume the obligations of the Guarantor under the Guarantee and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture;

 

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(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(c) either the Guarantor or the successor Person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate of the Guarantor and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, sale, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such Supplemental Indenture comply with this Article 10 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

No such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease shall be permitted by this Section 10.03 unless prior thereto the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the Guarantor’s obligations hereunder shall remain in full force and effect thereafter.

Section 10.04. Guarantor Successor to Be Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger or any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Guarantor to any Person in accordance with this Section 10.04, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Guarantor is merged or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Guarantor under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Guarantor herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released and discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Guarantee.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Notes thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

Section 10.05. Assumption by Guarantor. Without the consent of any Holders of the Notes, the Guarantor, or a Subsidiary thereof, may directly assume, by a Supplemental Indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on all the Notes and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Issuer to be performed or observed. Upon any such assumption, the Guarantor or such Subsidiary shall succeed to, and be substituted for and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if the Guarantor or such Subsidiary had been named as the Issuer herein and the Issuer shall be released from all obligations and covenants with respect to the Notes. No such assumption shall be permitted unless the Guarantor has delivered to the Trustee (i) an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such assumption and Supplemental Indenture comply with this Article 10, and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with and that, in the event of assumption by a Subsidiary, the Guarantee and all other covenants of the Guarantor herein remain in full force and effect and (ii) an opinion of independent counsel that the Holders of Notes shall have no materially adverse United States federal tax consequences as a result of such assumption, and that, if any Notes are then listed on the New York Stock Exchange, that such Notes shall not be delisted as a result of such assumption.

 

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ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 11.01. Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes herein expressly provided for and except as further provided below), and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when (a) either: (1) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 11.04 hereof and (ii) Notes for whose payment monies have theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuer as provided in Section 11.04 hereof) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (2) all such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable, whether at the applicable maturity date, or otherwise, or (ii) are to be called for redemption under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer, and the Issuer, in the case of clause (1) or (2) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee or a Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or any of its Affiliates), as applicable, as trust funds in trust cash in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes which have become due and payable) or to the applicable maturity date or Redemption Date, as the case may be; provided, however, that there shall not exist, on the date of such deposit, a Default or Event of Default; provided, further, that such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or to which the Issuer is bound; (b) the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer; and (c) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Issuer to the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof shall survive and, if monies shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (2) of clause (a) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Sections 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, and 5.01 hereof and this Article 11, shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full.

Section 11.02. Deposited Monies to Be Held in Trust by Trustee. Subject to Section 11.04 hereof, all monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.05 hereof shall be held in trust for the sole benefit of the Holders, and such monies shall be applied by the Trustee to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer if acting as its own Paying Agent), to the Holders of the particular Notes for the payment or redemption of which such monies have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal, premium, if any, and interest. The Trustee is not responsible to anyone for interest on any deposited funds except as agreed in writing.

 

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Section 11.03. Paying Agent to Repay Monies Held. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.04 hereof, the Trustee or a Paying Agent shall hold in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, all monies deposited with it pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof and shall apply the deposited monies in accordance with this Indenture and the Notes to the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof) and interest on the Notes.

Section 11.04. Return of Unclaimed Monies. The Trustee and each Paying Agent shall pay to the Issuer upon request any monies held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years after a right to such monies have matured; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such payment, may, at the expense of the Issuer, either publish in a newspaper of general circulation in The City of New York, or cause to be mailed (or sent by electronic transmission) to each Holder entitled to such monies, notice that such monies remain unclaimed and that after a date specified therein, which shall be at least thirty (30) calendar days from the date of such mailing or publication, any unclaimed balance of such monies then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer. After payment to the Issuer, Holders entitled to monies must look to the Issuer for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person, and the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall be relieved of all liability with respect to such monies.

Section 11.05. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any monies in accordance with Section 11.02 hereof by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such monies in accordance with Section 11.02 hereof; provided, that if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the monies held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 12

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 12.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 12.

Section 12.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 12.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 12.02, the Issuer and the Guarantor will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes and Guarantee on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantor will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Debt represented by the outstanding Notes and Guarantee, which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 12.05 hereof and the other sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Guarantee and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium on, such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 12.04 hereof;

 

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(b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuer’s and the Guarantor’s obligations in connection therewith; and

(d) this Article 12.

Subject to compliance with this Article 12, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 12.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 12.03 hereof.

Section 12.03. Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 12.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 12.03, the Issuer and the Guarantor will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.09, 4.10 and 4.11 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 12.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Guarantee, the Issuer and the Guarantor may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Guarantee will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 12.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 12.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(c) and 6.01(d) hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

Section 12.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof:

(a) the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank,

 

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appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium and interest on, the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be, and the Issuer must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular Redemption Date;

(b) in the case of an election under Section 12.02 hereof, the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that:

(1) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(2) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(c) in the case of an election under Section 12.03 hereof, the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced), and the granting of liens to secure such borrowings);

(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture and the agreements governing any other indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) to which the Issuer or the Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or the Guarantor is bound;

(f) the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuer with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Issuer with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuer or others; and

(g) the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

 

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Section 12.05. Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 12.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 12.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 12.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Issuer will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 12.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 12 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the request of the Issuer any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 12.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 12.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 12.06. Repayment to Issuer.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its request or (if then held by the Issuer) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Issuer cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer.

Section 12.07. Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s and the Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Guarantee will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 12.02 or 12.03

 

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hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium or interest on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 13

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 13.01. Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations. Except as otherwise expressly provided in Article 15 hereof, no recourse for the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof) or, premium, if any, or interest on any Global Debt Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer in this Indenture or in any Supplemental Indenture or in any Global Debt Security or Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, limited partner, member, manager, employee, agent, officer, director or Subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the General Partner, the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries or of any successor thereto, either directly or through the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries or any successor thereto, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Global Debt Securities.

ARTICLE 14

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF NOTES

Section 14.01. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called. A meeting of Holders of Notes may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article 14 to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other act provided by this Indenture or a Supplemental Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Notes.

Section 14.02. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Notes of a series for any purpose specified in Section 14.01 hereof, to be held at such time and at such place in The City of New York, New York as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Notes, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 16.03 hereof, not less than twenty-one (21) nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

(b) In case at any time the Issuer, the Guarantor or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Notes of such series for any purpose specified in Section 14.01 hereof, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed notice of or made the first publication of the notice of such

 

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meeting within twenty-one (21) days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Issuer, the Guarantor, if applicable, or the Holders of Notes in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the City of New York, New York, for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in clause (a) of this Section 14.02.

Section 14.03. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Notes of a series, a Person shall be (a) a Holder of one or more outstanding Notes, or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more outstanding Notes by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Notes shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel, any representatives of the Guarantor and its counsel and any representatives of the Issuer and its counsel.

Section 14.04. Quorum; Action. The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of such Notes; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at the meeting with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which may be made, given or taken by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, the Persons holding or representing the specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes will constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Notes, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than ten (10) days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than ten (10) days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 14.02 hereof, except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the outstanding Notes which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.02 hereof, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.02 hereof, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

 

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Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Notes duly held in accordance with this Section 14.04 shall be binding on all the Holders of Notes, whether or not such Holders were present or represented at the meeting.

Section 14.05. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Notes in regard to proof of the holding of Notes and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Notes shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 8.03 hereof and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 8.01 hereof.

(a) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Issuer or by Holders of Notes as provided in Section 14.02(b) hereof, in which case the Issuer, the Guarantor or the Holders of Notes calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of such series represented at the meeting.

(b) At any meeting, each Holder of a Note or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $2,000 principal amount of Notes held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Note challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Note or proxy.

(c) Any meeting of Holders of Notes duly called pursuant to Section 14.02 hereof at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 14.06. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Notes shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Notes or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the outstanding Notes held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in triplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Notes shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 14.02 hereof and, if applicable, Section 14.04 hereof. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Issuer and the Guarantor, and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

 

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ARTICLE 15

Guarantee

Section 15.01. Guarantee. By its execution hereof, the Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that it receives substantial benefits from the Issuer and that the Guarantor is providing its Guarantee for good and valuable consideration, including, without limitation, such substantial benefits. Accordingly, subject to the provisions of this Article 15, the Guarantor hereby unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Debt Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and its successors and assigns that: (i) the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), premium, if any, and interest on the Notes shall be duly and punctually paid in full when due, whether at the applicable maturity date, upon acceleration, upon redemption or otherwise, and interest on overdue principal, premium, if any, and (to the extent permitted by law) interest on any interest, if any, on the Notes and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or under the Notes (including fees, expenses or other) shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof; and (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, the same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at the applicable maturity date, by acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, subject, however, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) above, to the limitations set forth in Section 15.03 hereof (collectively, the “Guarantee Obligations”).

Subject to the provisions of this Article 15, the Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any thereof, the entry of any judgment against the Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of the Guarantor. The Guarantor hereby waives and relinquishes: (a) any right to require the Trustee, the Holders or the Issuer (each, a “Benefited Party”) to proceed against the Issuer or any other Person or to proceed against or exhaust any security held by a Benefited Party at any time or to pursue any other remedy in any secured party’s power before proceeding against the Guarantor; (b) any defense that may arise by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority, death or disability of any other Person or Persons or the failure of a Benefited Party to file or enforce a claim against the estate (in administration, bankruptcy or any other proceeding) of any other Person or Persons; (c) demand, protest and notice of any kind (except as expressly required by this Indenture), including but not limited to notice of the existence, creation or incurring of any new or additional indebtedness or obligation or of any action or non-action on the part of the Guarantor, the Issuer, any Benefited Party, any creditor of the Guarantor or the Issuer or on the part of any other Person whomsoever in connection with any obligations the performance of which are hereby guaranteed; (d) any defense based upon an election of remedies by a Benefited Party, including but not limited to an election to proceed against the Guarantor for reimbursement; (e) any defense based upon any statute or rule of law which provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal;

 

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(f) any defense arising because of a Benefited Party’s election, in any proceeding instituted under the Bankruptcy Law, of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code; and (g) any defense based on any borrowing or grant of a security interest under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code. The Guarantor hereby covenants that, except as otherwise provided therein, the Guarantee shall not be discharged except by payment in full of all Guarantee Obligations, including the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and all other costs provided for under this Indenture or as provided in Article 7 hereof.

If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to either the Issuer or the Guarantor, or any trustee or similar official acting in relation to either the Issuer or the Guarantor, any amount paid by the Issuer or the Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder, the Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. The Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any Guarantee Obligations hereby until payment in full of all such obligations guaranteed hereby. The Guarantor agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders of Notes and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes hereof, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guarantee Obligations, and (y) in the event of any acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such Guarantee Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purpose of the Guarantee.

Section 15.02. Execution and Delivery of Guarantee. To evidence the Guarantee set forth in Section 15.01 hereof, the Guarantor agrees that a notation of the Guarantee substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto shall be endorsed on each Debt Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of the Guarantor by an Officer of the Guarantor.

The Guarantor agrees that the Guarantee set forth in this Article 15 shall remain in full force and effect and apply to all the Debt Securities of such series notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Debt Security a notation of the Guarantee.

If an officer whose signature is on a Debt Security or a notation of Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Debt Security on which the Guarantee is endorsed, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Debt Security by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantor.

Section 15.03. Limitation of Guarantors Liability; Certain Bankruptcy Events.

(a) The Guarantor, and by its acceptance hereof each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee Obligations of the Guarantor pursuant to its Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the Guarantee Obligations of the Guarantor under this Article 15 shall be limited to the maximum amount as shall, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of the Guarantor, result in the Guarantee Obligations of the Guarantor under the Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

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(b) The Guarantor hereby covenants and agrees, to the fullest extent that it may do so under applicable law, that in the event of the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Issuer, the Guarantor shall not file (or join in any filing of), or otherwise seek to participate in the filing of, any motion or request seeking to stay or to prohibit (even temporarily) execution on the Guarantee and hereby waives and agrees not to take the benefit of any such stay of execution, whether under Section 362 or 105 of the Bankruptcy Law or otherwise.

Section 15.04. Release of Guarantor of Guarantee Obligations.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Guarantee Obligations of the Guarantor may be released upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable Supplemental Indenture. Provided that no Event of Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing under this Indenture, the Guarantee Obligations incurred by the Guarantor pursuant to this Article 15 shall be unconditionally released and discharged automatically upon the release of all guarantees by the Guarantor of the 2026 Notes, the Issuer’s 3.750% Senior Notes due 2027, the Issuer’s 3.100% Senior Notes due 2030, the Issuer’s unsecured credit and loan facilities and any additional guarantees by the Guarantor of senior unsecured indebtedness.

(b) Upon receipt of a written request of the Issuer accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that the Guarantor is entitled to such release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee shall deliver, at the Issuer’s expense, such instruments as are requested by the Issuer or Guarantor to evidence the release of the Guarantor from the Guarantee Obligations.

ARTICLE 16

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 16.01. Provisions Binding on Issuers and Guarantors Successors. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements by the Issuer or Guarantor contained in this Indenture shall bind their respective successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

Section 16.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Issuer or Guarantor shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any Person that shall at the time be the lawful sole successor of the Issuer or Guarantor.

Section 16.03. Addresses for Notices, etc. Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders of Notes on the Issuer or Guarantor shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box, or sent by overnight courier, or sent by telecopier transmission addressed as follows:

 

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To the Issuer:

Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P.

3310 West End Avenue, Suite 700

Nashville, TN 37203

Telecopier No.: (615) 463-7739

Attention: Mr. Todd J. Meredith, President and Chief Executive Officer

  cc:

Mr. J. Christopher Douglas, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

To the Guarantor:

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

3310 West End Avenue, Suite 700

Nashville, TN 37203

Telecopier No.: (615) 463-7739

Attention: Mr. Todd J. Meredith, President and Chief Executive

  cc:

Mr. J. Christopher Douglas, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Any notice, direction, request or demand hereunder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited, postage prepaid, by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box, or sent by overnight courier, or sent by telecopier transmission addressed as follows:

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association

Global Corporate Trust Services

101 North First Avenue, Suite 1600

Mailstop LM-AZ-16P

Phoenix, Arizona 85003

Telecopier No.: (602) 257-5433

Attention:

The Trustee, by notice to the Issuer, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

Any notice or communication mailed to a Noteholder shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at such Noteholder’s address as it appears on the Note Register and shall be sufficiently given to such Noteholder if so mailed within the time prescribed.

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Noteholder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

Section 16.04. Governing Law. This Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any laws other than the laws of the State of New York.

 

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Section 16.05. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent, Certificates to Trustee. Upon any application or demand by the Issuer or Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer or Guarantor shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with, and, if requested by the Trustee, an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include: (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in such certificate or opinion is based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, such person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials.

Section 16.06. Legal Holidays. In any case in which the Stated Maturity of interest on or principal of the Notes or the Redemption Date of any Note will not be a Business Day, then payment of such interest on or principal of the Notes need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Stated Maturity or the Redemption Date, and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such date.

Section 16.07. Trust Indenture Act. This Indenture is hereby made subject to, and shall be governed by, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act required to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; provided, that this Section 16.07 shall not require this Indenture or the Trustee to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act prior to the time such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act, nor shall it constitute any admission or acknowledgment by any party to the Indenture that any such qualification is required prior to the time such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included in an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.

Section 16.08. No Security Interest Created. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction in which property of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries is located.

Section 16.09. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any authenticating agent, any Note Registrar and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Notes any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

 

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Section 16.10. Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 16.11. Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent that shall be authorized to act on its behalf, and subject to its direction, in the authentication and delivery of Notes in connection with the original issuance thereof and transfers and exchanges of Notes hereunder, including under Sections 2.04, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08 and 3.03 hereof, as fully to all intents and purposes as though the authenticating agent had been expressly authorized by this Indenture and those Sections to authenticate and deliver Notes. For all purposes of this Indenture, the authentication and delivery of Notes by the authenticating agent shall be deemed to be authentication and delivery of such Notes “by the Trustee” and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an authenticating agent shall be deemed to satisfy any requirement hereunder or in the Notes for the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. Such authenticating agent shall at all times be a Person eligible to serve as trustee hereunder pursuant to Section 7.09 hereof.

Any corporation into which any authenticating agent may be merged or exchanged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation or exchange to which any authenticating agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of any authenticating agent, shall be the successor of the authenticating agent hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 16.11, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or the authenticating agent or such successor corporation.

Any authenticating agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Issuer. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any authenticating agent by giving written notice of termination to such authenticating agent and to the Issuer. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any authenticating agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 16.11, the Trustee shall either promptly appoint a successor authenticating agent or itself assume the duties and obligations of the former authenticating agent under this Indenture and, upon such appointment of a successor authenticating agent, if made, shall give written notice of such appointment of a successor authenticating agent to the Issuer and shall mail notice of such appointment of a successor authenticating agent to all Holders of Notes as the names and addresses of such Holders appear on the Note Register.

The Issuer agrees to pay to the authenticating agent from time to time such reasonable compensation for its services as shall be agreed upon in writing between the Issuer and the authenticating agent.

The provisions of Sections 7.02, 7.03, 7.04 and 8.03 hereof and this Section 16.11 shall be applicable to any authenticating agent.

Section 16.12. Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Indenture by facsimile or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Indenture.

 

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The Trustee shall not have any duty to confirm that the person sending any notice, instruction or other communication by electronic transmission (including by e-mail, facsimile transmission, web portal or other electronic methods) is, in fact, a person authorized to do so. Electronic signatures believed by the Trustee to comply with the ESIGN Act of 2000 or other applicable law (including electronic images of handwritten signatures and digital signatures provided by DocuSign, Orbit, Adobe Sign or any other digital signature provider acceptable to the Trustee) shall be deemed original signatures for all purposes. The Issuer assumes all risks arising out of the use of electronic signatures and electronic methods to send communications to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on an unauthorized communication, and the risk of interception or misuse by third parties.

Section 16.13. Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture declared and provided, upon the terms and conditions herein above set forth.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed.

 

HEALTHCARE REALTY HOLDINGS, L.P.
By:   Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated,
  its general partner
By:  

     

  Name:
  Title:

HEALTHCARE REALTY TRUST INCORPORATED as Guarantor

By:  

     

  Name:
  Title:

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Exhibit A

HEALTHCARE REALTY HOLDINGS, L.P.

% SENIOR NOTES DUE [______]

No.

CUSIP No.:

ISIN:

$[______]

Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (herein called the “Issuer,” which term includes any successor entity under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or its registered assigns, the principal sum of [$______], or such lesser amount as is set forth in the Schedule of Increases or Decreases In Note on the other side of this Note, on [______], at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for that purpose in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, semi-annually on and of each year, commencing, [______], on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate per annum of [__]%, from the [______] or, as the case may be, next preceding the date of this Note to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, unless no interest has been paid or duly provided for on the Notes, in which case from [_____], until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. The Issuer shall pay interest on any Notes in certificated form by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it appears in the Note Register; provided, however, that a Holder of any Notes in certificated form in the aggregate principal amount of more than [$2.0 million] may specify by written notice to the Issuer that it pay interest by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified by the Noteholder in such notice, or on any Global Debt Securities by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee.

The Issuer promises to pay interest on overdue principal, premium, if any, and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) interest at the rate of 1% per annum above the rate borne by the Notes.

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof and the Indenture governing this Note. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed manually by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.

 

A-1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this Note to be duly executed.

Dated:

 

HEALTHCARE REALTY HOLDINGS, L.P.
By:  

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated,

        its general partner

By:  

     

Name:
Title:


TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Notes described in the within-named Indenture.

Dated:

 

U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee
By:  

     

Name:
Title:


[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P.

% SENIOR NOTES DUE [______]

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Issuer, designated as its % Senior Notes due [______] (herein called the “Notes”), issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of [______], (herein called the “Indenture”), between the Issuer and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (herein called the “Trustee”), to which Indenture and any indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of the Notes. Defined terms used but not otherwise defined in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture.

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), Section 6.01(f) or Section 6.01(g) with respect to the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes may be declared to be due and payable by either the Trustee or the Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and, upon said declaration the same shall be immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), Section 6.01(f) or Section 6.01(g) of the Indenture occurs with respect to the Issuer, the principal of and premium, if any, and interest accrued and unpaid on all the Notes shall be immediately and automatically due and payable without necessity of further action.

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Issuer and the Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Notes, subject to exceptions set forth in Section 9.02 of the Indenture. Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, waive any past Default or Event of Default, subject to exceptions set forth in the Indenture.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall impair, as among the Issuer and the Holders of the Notes, the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, on and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein and in the Indenture prescribed.

Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.


The Notes are issuable in fully registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and any multiple of $1,000. At the office or agency of the Issuer referred to on the face hereof, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without payment of any service charge but with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration or exchange of Notes, Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of any other authorized denominations.

The Issuer shall have the right to redeem the Notes under certain circumstances as set forth in Section 3.01, Section 3.02 and Section 3.03 of the Indenture.

The Notes are not subject to redemption through the operation of any sinking fund.

No recourse for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer in the Indenture or any supplemental indenture or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, limited partner, member, manager, employee, agent, officer, director or subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries or of any successor thereto, either directly or through the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s subsidiaries or of any successor thereto, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as consideration for, the execution of the Indenture and the issue of this Note.


Exhibit B

FORM OF GUARANTEE

The Guarantor listed below (hereinafter referred to as the “Guarantor,” which term includes any successors or assigns under the Indenture, dated the date hereof, among the Guarantor, the Issuer (as defined below) and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (the “Indenture”)), has irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis the Guarantee Obligations (as defined in Section 15.01 of the Indenture), which include (i) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the % Senior Notes due (the “Notes”) of Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Issuer”), whether at maturity, by acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent permitted by law) interest on any interest on the Notes, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Issuer, to the Holders of the Notes or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms set forth in Article 15 of the Indenture, and (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any such other obligations, that the same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at maturity, by acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

The obligations of the Guarantor to the Holders of the Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to this Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 15 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to such Indenture for the precise terms of this Guarantee.

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder (direct or indirect) of the Guarantor (or any such successor entity), as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.

The Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of merger or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, the benefit of discussion, protest or notice with respect to the Notes and all demands whatsoever.

This is a continuing Guarantee and shall remain in full force and effect and shall be binding upon the Guarantor and its successors and assigns until full and final payment of all of the Issuer’s obligations under the Notes and Indenture or until legally discharged in accordance with the Indenture and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes, and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder of the Notes or the Trustee, the rights and privileges herein conferred upon that party shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions hereof. This is a Guarantee of payment and performance and not of collectability.

This Guarantee shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication on the Note upon which this Guarantee is noted shall have been signed, in the name and on behalf of the Trustee under the Indenture, manually or by facsimile or other electronic imaging means by one of the authorized officers of the Trustee under the Indenture.

 

B-1


The obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall be limited to the extent necessary to insure that it does not constitute a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law.

THE TERMS OF ARTICLE 15 OF THE INDENTURE ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.

Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings given in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantor has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated:

 

HEALTHCARE REALTY TRUST INCORPORATED
By:  

     

Name:
Title:

Exhibit 4.23

Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., as Issuer

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, as Guarantor

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee

 

 

SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

Dated as of

[______]

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section

       Page  

ARTICLE 1

 

DEFINITIONS

     1  

Section 1.01.

 

Definitions

     1  

ARTICLE 2

 

FORMS GENERALLY AND DATING; ISSUABLE IN SERIES; REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES

     10  

Section 2.01.

 

Forms Generally and Dating

     10  

Section 2.02.

 

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

     10  

Section 2.03.

 

Reserved

     11  

Section 2.04.

 

Execution of Notes

     11  

Section 2.05.

 

Note Registrar and Paying Agent

     11  

Section 2.06.

 

Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer

     12  

Section 2.07.

 

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes

     13  

Section 2.08.

 

Temporary Notes

     14  

Section 2.09.

 

Cancellation of Notes

     14  

Section 2.10.

 

CUSIP Numbers

     15  

ARTICLE 3

 

REDEMPTION OF NOTES

     15  

Section 3.01.

 

Optional Redemption of Notes

     15  

Section 3.02.

 

Notice of Optional Redemption; Selection of Notes

     15  

Section 3.03.

 

Payment of Notes Called for Redemption by the Issuer

     16  

ARTICLE 4

 

CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

     17  

Section 4.01.

 

Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest

     17  

Section 4.02.

 

Maintenance of Office or Agency

     17  

Section 4.03.

 

Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office

     18  

Section 4.04.

 

Provisions as to Paying Agent

     18  

Section 4.05.

 

Existence

     19  

Section 4.06.

 

Reports

     19  

Section 4.07.

 

Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

     20  

Section 4.08.

 

Compliance Certificate

     20  

Section 4.09.

 

Limitations on Incurrence of Debt

     21  

Section 4.10.

 

Insurance

     22  

ARTICLE 5

 

NOTEHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE

     22  

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

Section

       Page  

Section 5.01.

 

Noteholders’ Lists

     22  

Section 5.02.

 

Preservation and Disclosure of Lists

     23  

Section 5.03.

 

Reports by Trustee

     23  

ARTICLE 6

 

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS ON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT

     23  

Section 6.01.

 

Events of Default

     23  

Section 6.02.

 

Payments of Debt Securities on Default; Suit Therefor

     26  

Section 6.03.

 

Application of Monies Collected by Trustee

     27  

Section 6.04.

 

Proceedings by Holders

     28  

Section 6.05.

 

Proceedings by Trustee

     29  

Section 6.06.

 

Remedies Cumulative and Continuing

     29  

Section 6.07.

 

Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders

     29  

Section 6.08.

 

Notice of Defaults

     30  

Section 6.09.

 

Undertaking to Pay Costs

     30  

ARTICLE 7

 

THE TRUSTEE

     30  

Section 7.01.

 

Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee

     30  

Section 7.02.

 

Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc.

     32  

Section 7.03.

 

No Responsibility for Recitals, etc.

     33  

Section 7.04.

 

Trustee, Paying Agents or Note Registrar May Own Debt Securities

     33  

Section 7.05.

 

Monies to Be Held in Trust

     34  

Section 7.06.

 

Compensation and Expenses of Trustee

     34  

Section 7.07.

 

Officers’ Certificate as Evidence

     34  

Section 7.08.

 

Conflicting Interests of Trustee

     35  

Section 7.09.

 

Eligibility of Trustee

     35  

Section 7.10.

 

Resignation or Removal of Trustee

     35  

Section 7.11.

 

Acceptance by Successor Trustee

     36  

Section 7.12.

 

Succession by Merger

     37  

Section 7.13.

 

Preferential Collection of Claims

     37  

ARTICLE 8

 

RESERVED

     37  

ARTICLE 9

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

     37  

Section 9.01.

 

Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders

     37  

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

Section

       Page  

Section 9.02.

 

Supplemental Indenture With Consent of Holders

     39  

Section 9.03.

 

Subordination Unimpaired

     39  

Section 9.04.

 

Effect of Supplemental Indenture

     40  

Section 9.05.

 

Notation on Notes

     40  

Section 9.06.

 

Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished to Trustee

     40  

ARTICLE 10

 

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

     40  

Section 10.01.

 

Issuer May Consolidate on Certain Terms

     40  

Section 10.02.

 

Issuer Successor to Be Substituted

     41  

Section 10.03.

 

Guarantor May Consolidate on Certain Terms

     41  

Section 10.04.

 

Guarantor Successor to Be Substituted

     42  

Section 10.05.

 

Assumption by Guarantor

     42  

ARTICLE 11

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

     43  

Section 11.01.

 

Discharge of Indenture

     43  

Section 11.02.

 

Deposited Monies to Be Held in Trust by Trustee

     43  

Section 11.03.

 

Paying Agent to Repay Monies Held

     44  

Section 11.04.

 

Return of Unclaimed Monies

     44  

Section 11.05.

 

Reinstatement

     44  

ARTICLE 12

 

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

     44  

Section 12.01.

 

Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     44  

Section 12.02.

 

Legal Defeasance and Discharge

     44  

Section 12.03.

 

Covenant Defeasance

     45  

Section 12.04.

 

Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

     45  

Section 12.05.

 

Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

     46  

Section 12.06.

 

Repayment to Issuer

     47  

Section 12.07.

 

Reinstatement

     47  

ARTICLE 13

 

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

     48  

Section 13.01.

 

Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations

     48  

ARTICLE 14

 

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF NOTES

     48  

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

Section

       Page  

Section 14.01.

 

Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called

     48  

Section 14.02.

 

Call, Notice and Place of Meetings

     48  

Section 14.03.

 

Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings

     49  

Section 14.04.

 

Quorum; Action

     49  

Section 14.05.

 

Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings

     50  

Section 14.06.

 

Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings

     50  

ARTICLE 15

 

SUBORDINATION OF NOTES

     51  

Section 15.01.

 

Agreement of Subordination

     51  

Section 15.02.

 

Payments to Noteholders

     51  

Section 15.03.

 

Subrogation of Notes

     52  

Section 15.04.

 

Authorization by Noteholders

     53  

Section 15.05.

 

Notice to Trustee

     53  

Section 15.06.

 

Trustee’s Relation to Senior Indebtedness

     54  

Section 15.07.

 

No Impairment of Subordination

     54  

Section 15.08.

 

Rights of Trustee

     55  

Section 15.09.

 

Article 15 Applicable to Paying Agents

     55  

ARTICLE 16

 

GUARANTEE

     55  

Section 16.01.

 

Guarantee

     55  

Section 16.02.

 

Execution and Delivery of Guarantee

     56  

Section 16.03.

 

Limitation of Guarantor’s Liability; Certain Bankruptcy Events

     57  

Section 16.04.

 

Release of Guarantor of Guarantee Obligations

     57  

ARTICLE 17

 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     58  

Section 17.01.

 

Provisions Binding on Issuer’s and Guarantor’s Successors

     58  

Section 17.02.

 

Official Acts by Successor Corporation

     58  

Section 17.03.

 

Addresses for Notices, etc.

     58  

Section 17.04.

 

Governing Law

     59  

Section 17.05.

 

Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent, Certificates to Trustee

     59  

Section 17.06.

 

Legal Holidays

     59  

Section 17.07.

 

Trust Indenture Act

     60  

Section 17.08.

 

No Security Interest Created

     60  

 

iv


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

Section

       Page  

Section 17.09.

 

Benefits of Indenture

     60  

Section 17.10.

 

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

     60  

Section 17.11.

 

Authenticating Agent

     60  

Section 17.12.

 

Execution in Counterparts

     61  

Section 17.13.

 

Severability

     61  

Exhibit A – Form of Note

     A1  

Exhibit B – Form of Guarantee

     B1  

 

v


CROSS REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

   Indenture Section

310(a)(1)

   7.09

(a)(2)

   7.09

(a)(3)

   N.A.

(a)(4)

   N.A.

(a)(5)

   N.A.

(b)

   7.08, 7.10

(c)

   N.A.

311(a)

   7.13

(b)

   7.13

(c)

   N.A.

312(a)

   5.01

(b)

   5.02

(c)

   5.02

313(a)

   5.03

(b)

   5.03

(c)

   5.03

(d)

   5.03

314(a)

   4.06, 4.08

(b)

   N.A.

(c)(1)

   17.05

(c)(2)

   17.05

(c)(3)

   N.A.

(d)

   N.A.

(e)

   17.05

(f)

   N.A.

315(a)

   7.01

(b)

   6.08

(c)

   7.01

(d)

   7.01

(e)

   6.09

316(a)(1)(A)

   6.07

(a)(1)(B)

   6.07

(a)(2)

   N.A.

(b)

   N.A.

(c)

   N.A.

317(a)(1)

   6.02

(a)(2)

   6.02

(b)

   11.03

318(a)

   N.A.

 

N.A. means not applicable.

 

*

This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.

 

vi


SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

SUBORDINATED INDENTURE dated as of [______] (hereinafter called this “Indenture”) among Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (f/k/a Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership) (hereinafter called the “Issuer”), Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, a Maryland corporation (f/k/a Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., a Maryland corporation) (hereinafter called the “Guarantor” or, in its capacity as the sole general partner of the Issuer, the “General Partner”), each having its principal office at 3310 West End Avenue, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37203, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee hereunder (hereinafter called the “Trustee”).

WHEREAS, the Issuer for its lawful purposes has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its notes, Additional Notes (as defined below) or other evidence of indebtedness (hereinafter called the “Debt Securities” or “Notes”) to be issued in one or more series as herein provided; and

WHEREAS, the Guarantor has duly authorized the issuance of a guarantee of the Debt Securities, and to provide therefor the Guarantor has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture and such Guarantee.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

THAT, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants herein contained and of the purchase and acceptance of the Debt Securities by the holders thereof, and for other valuable consideration the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, it is hereby agreed among the Issuer, the Guarantor and the Trustee, for the benefit of those who shall hold the Debt Securities, as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01. Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any Supplemental Indenture shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.01. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act (as defined below) or which are by reference therein defined in the Securities Act (as defined below) (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Indenture Act and in the Securities Act as in force at the date of the execution of this Indenture. The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other Subdivision. The terms defined in this Article include the plural as well as the singular.

2026 Notes” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01 hereof.

 

1


Acquired Debt” means Debt of a Person (1) existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or (2) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case, other than Debt incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Subsidiary or such acquisition. Acquired Debt shall be deemed to be incurred on the date of the related acquisition of assets from any Person or the date the acquired Person becomes a Subsidiary.

Additional Notes” means additional Notes which may be issued from time to time in accordance with the terms of the applicable Supplemental Indenture.

Adjusted Treasury Rate” means, on any Redemption Date, the rate per year, as determined by the Quotation Agent, equal to:

(1) the yield, under the heading that represents the weekly average yield (being, if not reported as a weekly average yield, the average of the five most recent daily reported yields), appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15” or any successor publication that is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue; provided that if no maturity is within three months before or after the Remaining Life of the Debt Securities of such series, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue will be determined and the Adjusted Treasury Rate will be interpolated or extrapolated from those yields on a straight-line basis rounding to the nearest month; or

(2) if that release, or any successor release, is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per year equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that Redemption Date.

The Adjusted Treasury Rate will be calculated at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the third Business Day preceding the date of the notice of redemption by the Quotation Agent.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Agent” means any Note Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

Annual Debt Service Charge” as of any date means the amount of interest expense determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

2


Authentication Order” means the written order of the Issuer directing the Trustee to authenticate any Debt Securities.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal, state, or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

Benefited Party” has the meaning specified in Section 16.01 hereof.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the General Partner or a committee of such board duly authorized to act for it hereunder.

Business Day” means, with respect to any Note, any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York, or in such other place of payment of the Notes, are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking S.A.

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the Remaining Life that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Life.

Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Trustee obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.

Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service” means, for any period, Earnings from Operations of Issuer and its Subsidiaries plus amounts which have been deducted, and minus amounts which have been added, for the following (without duplication): (1) Annual Debt Service Charge of Issuer and its Subsidiaries, (2) provision for taxes of Issuer and its Subsidiaries based on income, (3) provisions for gains and losses on properties and depreciation and amortization, (4) increases in deferred taxes and other non-cash items, (5) depreciation and amortization with respect to interests in joint venture and partially owned entity investments, (6) the effect of any charge resulting from a change in accounting principles in determining Earnings from Operations for such period, and (7) amortization of deferred charges.

Corporate Trust Office” or other similar term, means the designated office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business as it relates to this Indenture shall be administered, which office is, at the date as of which this Indenture is dated, located at the address set forth in Section 17.03 hereof.

 

3


Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 12.03 hereof.

CUSIP” means the Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures.

Custodian” means U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

Debt” means any of Issuer’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ indebtedness, whether or not contingent, in respect of (without duplication) (1) borrowed money evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, (2) indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or any security interest existing on property owned by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, but only to the extent of the lesser of (a) the amount of indebtedness so secured and (b) the fair market value (determined in good faith by the board of directors of such Person or, in the case of Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries, by the Board of Directors) of the property subject to such mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or security interest, (3) the reimbursement obligations, contingent or otherwise, in connection with any letters of credit actually issued or amounts representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, or all conditional sale obligations or obligations under any title retention agreement, or (4) any lease of property by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries as lessee which is reflected on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet as a financing lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; but only to the extent, in the case of items of indebtedness under (1) through (3) above, that any such items (other than letters of credit) would appear as a liability on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The term “Debt” also includes, to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise (other than for purposes of collection in the ordinary course of business or for the purposes of guaranteeing the payment of all amounts due and owing pursuant to leases to which Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries are a party and have assigned its or their interest, provided that such assignee of Issuer or its Subsidiary is not in default of any amounts due and owing under such leases), Debt of another Person (other than Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) (it being understood that Debt shall be deemed to be incurred by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries whenever Issuer or such Subsidiary shall create, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect thereof). In the case of items of indebtedness under (4) above, the term “Debt” will exclude any lease of property by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries as lessee which is reflected on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet as an operating lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

“Debt Securities” or “Notes” has the meaning specified in the second paragraph of this Indenture.

Default” means any event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become, an Event of Default.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03 hereof.

 

4


Depositary” means the clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as the Depositary for the Global Debt Securities. DTC shall be the initial Depositary, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.

Earnings from Operations” means, for any period, net income or loss of Issuer and its Subsidiaries, excluding: (1) provisions for gains and losses on sales of investments or joint ventures; (2) provisions for gains and losses on disposition of discontinued operations; (3) extraordinary and non-recurring items; and (4) impairment charges, property valuation losses and non-cash charges necessary to record interest rate contracts at fair value; plus amounts received as rent under leases which are accounted for as financing arrangements net of related interest income, as reflected in the consolidated financial statements of Issuer and its Subsidiaries for such period determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

EDGAR” has the meaning specified in Section 4.06(a) hereof.

Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear system.

Event of Default” means any event specified in Section 6.01 hereof as an Event of Default.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

General Partner” means the corporation named as the “General Partner” in the first paragraph of this Indenture, and, subject to the provisions of Article 10 hereof, shall include its successors and assigns.

Global Debt Securities Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Debt Securities issued under this Indenture.

Global Debt Securities” means the Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, and that bears the Global Debt Securities Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Debt Securities” attached thereto, issued in accordance with this Indenture.

Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit.

Guarantee” means the full and unconditional guarantee provided by the Guarantor in respect of the Notes, as subject to Article 15 hereof, and as made applicable to the Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 16.01 hereof.

Guarantee Obligations” has the meaning specified in Section 16.01 hereof.

 

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Guarantor” means the corporation named as the “Guarantor” in the first paragraph of this Indenture, and, subject to the provisions of Article 10 hereof, shall include its successors and assigns.

Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented.

Intercompany Debt” means Debt to which the only parties are any of Issuer, Guarantor and any of their Subsidiaries; provided, however, that with respect to any such Debt of which Issuer or Guarantor is the borrower, such Debt is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes.

interest” means, when used with reference to the Notes, any interest payable under the terms of the Notes.

Issuer” means the limited partnership named as the “Issuer” in the first paragraph of this Indenture, and, subject to the provisions of Article 10 hereof, shall include its successors and assigns.

Legal Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 12.02 hereof.

Note Register” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05 hereof.

Note Registrar” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05 hereof.

Noteholder” or “Holder” as applied to any Debt Security, or other similar terms (but excluding the term “beneficial holder”), means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Debt Security is registered on the Note Registrar’s books.

Officer” means, with respect to any Person, any person holding any of the following positions with such Person, or, in the case of a Person that is a partnership, the general partner of such Person: the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer and the Secretary.

Officers’ Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by any two Officers or by one such Officer and any Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary of such Person or, in the case of a Person that is a partnership, the general partner of such Person.

Opinion of Counsel” means, with respect to any Person, an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to such Person, or other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

outstanding,” when used with reference to Notes and subject to the provisions of Section 8.04 hereof, means, as of any particular time, all Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:

(1) Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

 

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(2) Notes, or portions thereof, (i) for the redemption of which monies in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or the Guarantor) or (ii) which shall have been otherwise discharged in accordance with Article 11 hereof;

(3) Notes in lieu of which, or in substitution for which, other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.07 hereof; and

(4) Notes paid or redeemed pursuant to Article 3 hereof.

Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

Paying Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05 hereof.

Person” means a corporation, an association, a partnership, a limited liability company, an individual, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or a political subdivision thereof.

premium” means any premium payable under the terms of the Notes.

Primary Treasury Dealer” means a primary U.S. Government securities dealer.

Prospectus” means the Issuer’s and the Guarantor’s prospectus dated [______], relating to the Notes guaranteed by the Guarantor unconditionally, subject to Article 15 hereof.

Quotation Agent” means the Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by the Issuer.

Redemption Date” means, with respect to any Note or portion thereof to be redeemed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof, the date fixed for such redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof and the provisions of any relevant Supplemental Indenture.

Redemption Price” means, with respect to any Note or portion thereof to be redeemed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof, the redemption price fixed for such redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof and the provisions of any relevant Supplemental Indenture.

Reference Treasury Dealer” means any one Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Issuer.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by Issuer, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such date of the notice of redemption.

 

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Remaining Life” means the remaining term of the Debt Securities of such series to be redeemed, calculated as if the maturity date of such Debt Securities were the applicable par call date.

Responsible Officer” shall mean, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of or familiarity with the particular subject.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

Senior Indebtedness” means any of Issuer’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ indebtedness, whether or not contingent, in respect of (without duplication) (1) borrowed money evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, (2) indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or any security interest existing on property owned by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, but only to the extent of the lesser of (a) the amount of indebtedness so secured and (b) the fair market value (determined in good faith by the board of directors of such Person or, in the case of Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries, by the Board of Directors) of the property subject to such mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or security interest, (3) the reimbursement obligations, contingent or otherwise, in connection with any letters of credit actually issued or amounts representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, or all conditional sale obligations or obligations under any title retention agreement, or (4) any lease of property by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries as lessee which is reflected on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet as a capitalized lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; but only to the extent, in the case of items of indebtedness under (1) through (3) above, that any such items (other than letters of credit) would appear as a liability on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness outlined above, the instrument or lease creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or guarantee of the same expressly provides that such indebtedness is not superior in right of payment to the Notes or the Guarantee, as the case may be.

Significant Subsidiary” means any subsidiary which is a “significant subsidiary” within the meaning of Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission as in effect on the date hereof.

Stated Maturity,” with respect to any Debt Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date established by or pursuant to a Supplemental Indenture or such Note as the fixed date on which the principal of such Note or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

 

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Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock or other equity interest entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof) and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or managing general partner of which is such Person or a subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

Supplemental Indenture” has the meaning specified in Section 9.01 hereof.

Total Assets” as of any date means the sum of (1) Issuer’s and all of its Subsidiaries’ Undepreciated Real Estate Assets and (2) all of Issuer’s and all of its Subsidiaries’ other assets determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (but excluding intangibles).

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as it was in force at the date of this Indenture; provided, that if the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after the date hereof, the term “Trust Indenture Act” shall mean, to the extent required by such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

Trustee” means U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, and its successors and any corporation resulting from or surviving any consolidation or merger to which it or its successors may be a party and any successor trustee at the time serving as successor trustee hereunder.

Undepreciated Real Estate Assets” as of any date means the cost (original cost plus capital improvements) of Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ real estate assets, right of use assets associated with a financing lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles on such date, before depreciation and amortization determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; provided that “Undepreciated Real Estate Assets” will not include the right of use assets associated with an operating lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Unencumbered Total Asset Value” as of any date means the sum of (1) those Undepreciated Real Estate Assets not encumbered by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or security interest and (2) all of Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ other assets on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (but excluding intangibles), in each case which are unencumbered by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or security interest; provided, however, that, in determining Unencumbered Total Asset Value for purposes of Section 4.09(d) hereof, all investments by the Issuer and any of its Subsidiaries in unconsolidated joint ventures, unconsolidated limited partnerships, unconsolidated limited liability companies and other unconsolidated entities accounted for financial reporting purposes using the equity method of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles shall be excluded from Unencumbered Total Asset Value.

U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

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ARTICLE 2

FORMS GENERALLY AND DATING; ISSUABLE IN SERIES; REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES

Section 2.01. Forms Generally and Dating. The Debt Securities of each series shall be in the form of Exhibit A hereto, or established from time to time by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or in one or more Supplemental Indentures. The Debt Securities and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or by a resolution of the Board of Directors and may have such notations, legends or endorsements as the Issuer may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture or as may be required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. The Issuer shall approve and provide the form of the Debt Securities and the form of any Guarantee thereto and any notation, legend or endorsement thereon. If the form of Debt Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Authentication Order or the authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities.

Each Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The form of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by the Debt Securities shall be substantially as follows:

[FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE]

This is one of the Debt Securities of the series referred to on the reverse hereof.

 

 

  ,
as Trustee  
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory  
  Dated:  

Section 2.02. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to one or more resolutions of the Board of Directors, or established in or pursuant to one or more Supplemental Indentures, prior to the issuance of the Debt Securities of any series the terms and conditions of such Debt Securities as set forth in such Supplemental Indenture. All Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such resolution of the Board of Directors or in any such Supplemental Indenture. Not all Debt Securities of any one series need be issued at the same time, and, unless otherwise so provided, a series may be reopened for issuances of

 

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additional Debt Securities of such series. If any of the terms of the Debt Securities of a series are established by action taken pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the Debt Securities of such series. With respect to Debt Securities of a series which are not to be issued at one time, such resolution of the Board of Directors or action may provide general terms or parameters for Debt Securities of such series and provide either that the specific terms of particular Debt Securities of such series shall be specified in a Authentication Order or that such terms shall be determined by the Issuer or its agents in accordance with a Authentication Order .

Section 2.03. Reserved.

Section 2.04. Execution of Notes. The Debt Securities shall be signed, in the name and on behalf of the Issuer, manually or by facsimile or other electronic imaging means by an Officer of the General Partner. The Trustee will, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, manually authenticate Debt Securities for issue under this Indenture. The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of such series outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities authorized for issuance by the Issuer pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.08 hereof.

In case any Officer of the General Partner who shall have signed any of the Notes shall cease to be such Officer of the General Partner before the Notes so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Issuer, such Notes nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Notes had not ceased to be such Officer of the General Partner, and any Note may be signed on behalf of the Issuer by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Note, shall be the proper Officers of the General Partner, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such an Officer of the General Partner.

Section 2.05. Note Registrar and Paying Agent.    The Issuer will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Note Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Note Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange (the “Note Register”). The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Note Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Note Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuer will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuer fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Note Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Note Registrar.

The Issuer initially appoints the DTC to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Debt Securities.

The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Note Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Debt Securities.

 

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The Issuer will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or its Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuer, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.06. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer.

(a) Transfer of Debt Securities. The transfer of any series of Debt Securities may be registered by the registered owner thereof, in person or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, at the office or agency of the Issuer to be maintained by it as provided in Section 4.02, by delivering such Debt Security for cancellation, accompanied by delivery of a duly executed instrument of transfer, in form approved by the Issuer and satisfactory to the Trustee or its designee, and thereupon the Issuer shall execute in the name of the transferee or transferees, and the Trustee or the authenticating agent shall authenticate and deliver, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series and of like form for the same aggregate principal amount.

(b) Global Debt Securities Legend. Each Global Debt Security will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS GLOBAL DEBT SECURITY IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL DEBT SECURITY MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(A) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL DEBT SECURITY MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.09 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL DEBT SECURITY MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE

 

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NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

(c) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Debt Securities. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Debt Security have been exchanged for Debt Securities or a particular Debt Security has been redeemed or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Debt Security will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.09 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Debt Security is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Debt Security the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Debt Security will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Debt Security by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Debt Security, such other Global Debt Security will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Debt Security by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

Section 2.07. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes. In case any Note shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer in its discretion may execute, and upon its written request the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, a new Note, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Note, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Note so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case, the applicant for a substituted Note shall furnish to the Issuer, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.

Following receipt by the Trustee or such authenticating agent, as the case may be, of satisfactory security or indemnity and evidence, as described in the preceding paragraph, the Trustee or such authenticating agent may authenticate any such substituted Note and make available for delivery such Note. Upon the issuance of any substituted Note, the Issuer may require the payment by the Holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Note which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption, as the case may be, shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer may, instead of issuing a substitute Note, pay or authorize the payment of, as the case may be, if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Issuer, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or in connection with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer, the Trustee and, if applicable, any Paying Agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.

 

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Every substitute Note issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.07 by virtue of the fact that any Note is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder. To the extent permitted by law, all Notes shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment or exchange or redemption of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment or redemption of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

Section 2.08. Temporary Notes. Pending the preparation of Notes in certificated form, the Issuer may execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall, upon the written request of the Issuer, authenticate and deliver temporary Notes (printed or lithographed). Temporary Notes shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the Notes in certificated form, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Notes, all as may be determined by the Issuer. Every such temporary Note shall be executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee or such authenticating agent upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the Notes in certificated form. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer will execute and deliver to the Trustee or such authenticating agent Notes in certificated form and thereupon any or all temporary Notes may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at each office or agency maintained by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof and the Trustee or such authenticating agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange for such temporary Notes an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes in certificated form. Such exchange shall be made by the Issuer at its own expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same limitations under this Indenture as Notes in certificated form authenticated and delivered hereunder.

Section 2.09. Cancellation of Notes. All Notes surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption or registration of transfer shall, if surrendered to the Issuer or any Paying Agent, which shall initially be the Trustee, or any Note Registrar, be surrendered to the Trustee and promptly canceled by it or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be promptly canceled by it and no Notes shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of such canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures, with copies of such cancelled Notes and related documentation provided to the Issuer. If the Issuer shall acquire any of the Notes, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

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Section 2.10. CUSIP Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Debt Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION OF NOTES

Section 3.01. Optional Redemption of Notes.

(a) The Issuer may, with respect to any Series of Notes, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Notes or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Notes or any part thereof prior to the applicable maturity date thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Notes. If a Series of Notes is redeemable and the Issuer wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the applicable maturity date thereof all or part of the Series of Notes pursuant to the terms of such Notes, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date and the principal amount of the Series of Notes to be redeemed. The Issuer shall give the notice at least 15 days before the Redemption Date (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Trustee).

(b) The Issuer shall not redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.01(a) hereof on any date if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated, and such an acceleration has not been rescinded or cured on or prior to such date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a default by the Issuer in the payment of the Redemption Price with respect to the Notes to be redeemed).

Section 3.02. Notice of Optional Redemption; Selection of Notes. In case the Issuer shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Notes pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof, it shall fix a date for redemption and it or, at its written request received by the Trustee not fewer than five (5) Business Days prior (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee) to the date the notice of redemption is to be mailed (or sent by electronic transmission), the Trustee in the name of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall mail (or send by electronic transmission) or cause to be mailed (or sent by electronic transmission) a notice of such redemption not fewer than fifteen (15) calendar days nor more than sixty (60) calendar days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes so to be redeemed in whole or in part at its last address as the same appears on the Note Register; provided, that if the Issuer makes such request of the Trustee, it shall, together with such request, also give written notice of the Redemption Date to the Trustee; provided further that the text of the notice shall be prepared by the Issuer. Such mailing shall be by first class mail (unless sent by electronic transmission). The notice, if mailed in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note.

 

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Each such notice of redemption shall specify: (i) the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; (ii) the CUSIP number or numbers, if any, of the Notes being redeemed; (iii) the Redemption Date (which shall be a Business Day); (iv) the Redemption Price at which Notes are to be redeemed; (v) the place or places of payment and that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Notes; and (vi) that interest accrued and unpaid to, but excluding, the Redemption Date will be paid as specified in said notice, and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portion thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. If fewer than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including CUSIP numbers, if any). In case any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that, on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

Whenever any Notes are to be redeemed, the Issuer will give the Trustee written notice of the Redemption Date, together with an Officers’ Certificate as to the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed not fewer than fifteen (15) calendar days (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the Redemption Date.

On or prior to the Redemption Date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section 3.02, the Issuer will deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 4.04 hereof) an amount of monies in immediately available funds sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date all the Notes (or portions thereof) so called for redemption at the appropriate Redemption Price; provided, that if such payment is made on the Redemption Date, it must be received by the Paying Agent, by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date. The Issuer shall be entitled to retain any interest, yield or gain on amounts deposited with the Paying Agent pursuant to this Section 3.02 in excess of amounts required hereunder to pay the Redemption Price.

If less than all of the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Notes or portions thereof of the Global Debt Security or the Notes in certificated form to be redeemed (in principal amounts of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof), on a pro rata basis or such other method the Trustee deems fair and appropriate or is required by the Depositary. The Notes (or portions thereof) so selected for redemption shall be deemed duly selected for redemption for all purposes hereof.

Section 3.03. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption by the Issuer. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 3.02 hereof, the Notes or portion of Notes with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the place or places stated in such notice at the Redemption Price, and unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Notes at the Redemption Price, so long as Paying Agent holds funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Notes to be redeemed on the Redemption Date, then (a) such Notes will cease to be outstanding on and after the Redemption Date, (b) interest on the Notes or portion of Notes so called for redemption shall cease to accrue on and after the Redemption Date, (c) after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price) and, except as provided in Sections 7.05 and 11.02 hereof,

 

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such Notes will cease to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and (d) the Holders of the Notes shall have no right in respect of such Notes except the right to receive the Redemption Price thereof. On presentation and surrender of such Notes at a place of payment in said notice specified, the said Notes or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the Redemption Price, together with interest accrued thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

Upon presentation of any Note redeemed in part only, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Note or Notes, of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Notes so presented.

ARTICLE 4

CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

Section 4.01. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. The Issuer covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid when due the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), and premium, if any, and interest on each of the Global Debt Securities at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the applicable Supplemental Indenture and Notes; provided, that the Issuer or Paying Agent may withhold from payments of interest and upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof, maturity or otherwise, any amounts the Issuer or Paying Agent is required to withhold by law.

Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Issuer will maintain an office or agency, where the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or redemption and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. As of the date of this Indenture, such office shall be the Corporate Trust Office and, at any other time, at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Issuer. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency not designated or appointed by the Trustee. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office; provided, however, that the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee shall not be an office or agency of the Issuer for the purpose of effective service of legal process on the Issuer.

The Issuer may also from time to time designate co-registrars and one or more offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Issuer hereby initially designates the Trustee as Paying Agent, Note Registrar and Custodian, and the Corporate Trust Office shall be considered as one such office or agency of the Issuer for each of the aforesaid purposes.

 

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So long as the Trustee is the Note Registrar, the Trustee agrees to mail (or send by electronic transmission), or cause to be mailed, the notices set forth in Section 7.10 and the third paragraph of Section 7.11 hereof. If co-registrars have been appointed in accordance with this Section 4.02, the Trustee shall mail such notices only to the Issuer and the Holders of Notes it can identify from its records.

Section 4.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustees Office. The Issuer, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as provided in Section 7.10 hereof, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

Section 4.04. Provisions as to Paying Agent.

(a) If the Issuer shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, or if the Trustee shall appoint such a Paying Agent, the Issuer will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.04:

(1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Notes (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Notes) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes;

(2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Notes) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Notes when the same shall be due and payable; and

(3) that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust.

The Issuer shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum (in funds which are immediately available on the due date for such payment) sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action; provided, that if such deposit is made on the due date, such deposit shall be received by the Paying Agent by 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on such date.

(b) If the Issuer shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and interest so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Issuer (or any other obligor under the Notes) to make any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes when the same shall become due and payable.

(c) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Issuer may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Issuer or any Paying Agent hereunder as required by this Section 4.04, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment by the Issuer or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Issuer or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

 

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(d) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 4.04 is subject to Sections 11.02 and 11.03 hereof.

The Trustee shall not be responsible for the actions of any other Paying Agents (including the Issuer if acting as its own Paying Agent) and shall have no control of any funds held by such other Paying Agents.

Section 4.05. Existence. Subject to Article 10 hereof, each of the Issuer and the Guarantor will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and rights (charter and statutory); provided, that neither the Issuer nor the Guarantor shall be required to preserve any such right if the Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

Section 4.06. Reports.

(a) Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuer will furnish to the Trustee:

 

  (1)

all quarterly and annual reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Issuer were required to file    such reports; and

 

  (2)

all current reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Issuer were required to file such reports,

in each case within fifteen (15) days after the Issuer files such reports with the Commission or would be required to file such reports with the Commission pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, whichever is earlier. Reports, information and documents filed with the Commission via the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”) will be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time of such filing via EDGAR for purposes of this covenant; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been filed via EDGAR.

Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under this Section 4.06 is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive or actual notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of the covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

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All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports. Each annual report on Form 10-K will include a report on the Issuer’s consolidated financial statements by its independent registered public accounting firm, unless otherwise permitted by the Commission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if permitted by the Commission, the Issuer may satisfy its obligation to furnish the reports described above by furnishing such reports filed by the Guarantor. The Issuer will file a copy of each of the reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the Commission for public availability within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations applicable to such reports (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) and will make the reports available on its website within fifteen (15) days after it files such reports with the Commission.

If the Issuer is no longer subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the Issuer will nevertheless continue filing the reports specified in clauses (1) and (2) above with the Commission within the time periods specified above unless the Commission will not accept such a filing. The Issuer will not take any action for the purpose of causing the Commission not to accept any such filings. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commission will not accept the Issuer’s filings for any reason, the Issuer will make the reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above available on its website within fifteen (15) days after the Issuer would be required to file such reports with the Commission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if permitted by the Commission, the Issuer’s obligations to file reports under this Section 4.06(a) may be satisfied by the filing of the reports described in clauses (1) and (2) above by the Guarantor.

(b) For so long as any Notes remain outstanding, if at any time it is not required to file with the Commission the reports required by paragraphs (a) of this Section 4.06, the Issuer will furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

Section 4.07. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Issuer covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law or other law which would prohibit or forgive the Issuer from paying all or any portion of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture and the Issuer (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

Section 4.08. Compliance Certificate. Within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the end of each fiscal year of the Issuer, the Issuer and the Guarantor shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate signed by any of the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Issuer and the Guarantor, as the case may be, stating whether or not the signer has knowledge of any Default under this Indenture, and, if so, specifying each Default and the nature and the status thereof.

The Issuer will deliver to the Trustee, within thirty (30) calendar days of becoming aware of (i) any default in the performance or observance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Indenture, or (ii) any Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying with particularity such Default or Event of Default and further stating what action the Issuer has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

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Any notice required to be given under this Section 4.08 shall be delivered to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 4.09. Limitations on Incurrence of Debt.

(a) Limitation on Total Outstanding Debt. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt (including (i) guarantees of Debt incurred by the Guarantor and (ii) guarantees of debt of a Subsidiary of the Guarantor that is not a Subsidiary of the Issuer), other than Intercompany Debt and guarantees of Debt incurred by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries in compliance with this Indenture, if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all of the Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ outstanding Debt on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is greater than 60% of the sum of (without duplication) (1) Total Assets as of the end of the Issuer’s most recently completed fiscal quarter prior to the incurrence of such additional Debt and (2) the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Debt), by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries since the end of such calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional Debt.

(b) Limitation on Secured Debt. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt (including (i) guarantees of Debt incurred by the Guarantor and (ii) guarantees of debt of a Subsidiary of the Guarantor that is not a Subsidiary of the Issuer), other than Intercompany Debt and guarantees of Debt incurred by Issuer or its Subsidiaries in compliance with this Indenture, secured by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge, encumbrance or security interest of any kind upon any of Issuer’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ property if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all of Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ outstanding Debt on a consolidated basis which is secured by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge, encumbrance or security interest on Issuer’s or its Subsidiaries’ property is greater than 40% of the sum of (without duplication) (1) Total Assets as of the end of the Issuer’s most recently completed fiscal quarter prior to the incurrence of such additional Debt and (2) the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Debt), by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries since the end of such calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional Debt; provided, that for purposes of this limitation, the amount of obligations under capital leases shown as a liability on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet shall be deducted from Debt and from Total Assets.

(c) Ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service to the Annual Debt Service Charge. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt, other than Intercompany Debt and guarantees of Debt by Issuer or its Subsidiaries in compliance with this Indenture, if the ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service to

 

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the Annual Debt Service Charge for the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended prior to the date on which such additional Debt is to be incurred shall have been less than 1.5 to 1.0, on an unaudited pro forma basis after giving effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, and calculated on the assumption that: (1) such Debt and any other Debt incurred by Issuer and its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period and the application of the proceeds therefrom, including to refinance other Debt, had occurred at the beginning of such period; (2) the repayment or retirement of any other Debt by Issuer and its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period had been repaid or retired at the beginning of such period (except that, in making such computation, the amount of Debt under any revolving credit facility shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Debt during such period); (3) in the case of Acquired Debt or Debt incurred in connection with any acquisition since the first day of such four-quarter period, the related acquisition had occurred as of the first day of such period, with the appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition being included in such unaudited pro forma calculation; and (4) in the case of any acquisition or disposition by Issuer or its Subsidiaries of any asset or group of assets or other placement of any assets in service or removal of any assets from service by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period, whether by merger, stock purchase or sale, or asset purchase or sale, such acquisition, disposition, placement in service or removal from service, or any related repayment of Debt had occurred as of the first day of such period, with the appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition, disposition, placement in service or removal from service, being included in such unaudited pro forma calculation.

(d) Maintenance of Unencumbered Total Asset Value. The Issuer, together with its Subsidiaries, will at all times maintain an Unencumbered Total Asset Value in an amount not less than 150% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ unsecured Debt, taken as a whole.

Section 4.10. Insurance. The Issuer will, and will cause of each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain insurance with financially sound and reputable insurance companies against such risks and in such amounts as is customarily maintained by Persons engaged in similar businesses or as may be required by applicable law.

ARTICLE 5

NOTEHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE

Section 5.01. Noteholders Lists. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Supplemental Indenture, the Issuer covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee, semiannually, not more than fifteen (15) calendar days after each April 1 and October 1 of each year beginning with October 1, 2022, and at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Issuer of any such request (or such lesser time as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to enable it to timely provide any notice to be provided by it hereunder), a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes as of a date not more than fifteen (15) calendar days (or such other date as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to so provide any such notices) prior to the time such information is furnished, except that no such list need be furnished by the Issuer to the Trustee so long as the Trustee is acting as the sole Note Registrar.

 

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Section 5.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists.

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 hereof or maintained by the Trustee in its capacity as Note Registrar or co-registrar in respect of the Notes, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 hereof upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b) The rights of Noteholders to communicate with other Holders of Notes with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Notes, and the corresponding rights and duties of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.

(c) Every Noteholder agrees with the Issuer and the Trustee that neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders of Notes made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 5.03. Reports by Trustee.

(a) On or before May 15 of each year beginning with May 15, 2023, the Trustee shall transmit to Holders of Notes such reports dated as of May 15 of the year in which such reports are made concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. In the event that no events have occurred under the applicable Sections of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall be under no duty or obligation to provide such reports.

(b) A copy of such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders of Notes, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange and automated quotation system, if any, upon which the Notes are listed and with the Issuer. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing if the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or automated quotation system or delisted therefrom.

ARTICLE 6

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS ON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 6.01. Events of Default. In case one or more of the following (each an “Event of Default”) (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be occasioned by the provisions of Article 15 or voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body) shall have occurred and be continuing:

(a) default for thirty (30) days in the payment of any installment of interest under the Debt Securities of such series; or

(b) default in the payment of the principal amount or Redemption Price due with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, when the same becomes due and payable; provided, however, that a valid extension of the applicable maturity date in accordance with the terms hereof shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal; or

 

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(c) the Issuer fails to comply with any of the Issuer’s other agreements contained in the Debt Securities of such series or this Indenture upon receipt by the Issuer of notice of such default by the Trustee or by Holders of not less than twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding and the Issuer fails to cure (or obtain a waiver of) such default within sixty (60) days after the Issuer receives such notice; or

(d) failure to pay any indebtedness for monies borrowed by the Issuer, the Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer in an outstanding principal amount in excess of $50,000,000 at final maturity or upon acceleration after the expiration of any applicable grace period, which indebtedness is not discharged, or such default in payment or acceleration is not cured or rescinded, within thirty (30) days after written notice to the Issuer from the Trustee (or to the Issuer and the Trustee from Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series); provided, however, that for the purposes of this Section 6.01(d), $50,000,000 shall be replaced by $35,000,000 for so long as any of the Issuer’s 3.50% Senior Notes Due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) are outstanding; or

(e) the Issuer, the Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer pursuant to or under or within meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences a voluntary case or proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or its debts or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer; or

(ii) consents to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer; or

(iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

(f) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Issuer, the Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of thirty (30) calendar days; or

(g) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

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(i) is for relief against the Issuer, the Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer in an involuntary case or proceeding; or

(ii) appoints a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer; or

(iii) orders the liquidation of the Issuer, the Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer;

and, in each case in this clause (g), the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for thirty (30) calendar days,

then, in each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), 6.01(f) or 6.01(g) hereof with respect to the Issuer), unless the principal of all of the Debt Securities of such series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding, by notice in writing to the Issuer and the Guarantor (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal amount of and premium, if any, and interest accrued and unpaid on all the Debt Securities of such series to be immediately due and payable, and upon any such declaration the same shall be immediately due and payable.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), 6.01(f) or 6.01(g) hereof occurs with respect to the Issuer, the principal amount of and premium, if any, and interest accrued and unpaid on all the Debt Securities of such series shall be immediately and automatically due and payable without necessity of further action.

If, at any time after the principal amount of and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities of such series shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the monies due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding on behalf of the Holders of all of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding, by written notice to the Issuer and to the Trustee, may waive all Defaults or Events of Default and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, subject in all respects to Section 6.07 hereof, if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal amount and any accrued and unpaid interest that have become due solely because of such acceleration, have been cured or waived. No such rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent Default or Event of Default, or shall impair any right consequent thereon. The Issuer shall notify in writing a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, promptly upon becoming aware thereof, of any Event of Default, as provided in Section 4.08 hereof.

In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such waiver or rescission and annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Issuer, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Issuer, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

 

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Section 6.02. Payments of Debt Securities on Default; Suit Therefor. The Issuer covenants that in the case of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) hereof, upon demand of the Trustee, the Issuer will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series, (i) the whole amount that then shall be due and payable on all such Debt Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, or interest, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon the overdue installments of accrued and unpaid interest at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of such series, plus 1%, from the required payment date and, (ii) in addition thereto, any amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof. Until such demand by the Trustee, the Issuer may pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities of such series to the registered Holders, whether or not the Debt Securities of such series are overdue.

In case the Issuer shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Issuer or any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuer or any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series wherever situated the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable.

In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Issuer or any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series under any Bankruptcy Law, or any other applicable law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Issuer or such other obligor, the property of the Issuer or such other obligor, or in the case of any other judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or such other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Debt Securities of such series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.02, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, accrued and unpaid interest in respect of the Debt Securities of such series, and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series, its or their creditors, or its or their property, and to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of any amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof, and to take any other action with respect to such claims, including participating as a member of any official committee of creditors, as it reasonably deems necessary or advisable, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, custodian or similar

 

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official is hereby authorized by each of the Holders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements, including counsel fees and expenses incurred by it up to the date of such distribution. To the extent that such payment of reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements out of the estate in any such proceedings shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, monies, securities and other property which the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series may be entitled to receive in such proceedings, whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debt Securities of such series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Debt Securities of such series, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series.

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and in any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series, and it shall not be necessary to make any Holders of the Debt Securities of such series parties to any such proceedings.

Section 6.03. Application of Monies Collected by Trustee. Any monies collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 6, shall be applied, in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such monies, upon presentation of the Debt Securities of such series, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof;

SECOND: In case the principal of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall not have become due and be unpaid, and subject to Article 15 hereof, to the payment of accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such Debt Securities in which an Event of Default exists in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) as provided in Section 6.02 hereof upon the overdue installments of interest at the annual rate of 1% above then applicable interest rate, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto;

THIRD: In case the principal of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, and be unpaid to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon such Debt Securities for principal and premium, if any, and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of accrued and unpaid interest, as

 

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provided in Section 6.02 hereof, and in case such monies shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon such Debt Securities, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Note over any other Note, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest; and

FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Issuer or any other Person lawfully entitled thereto.

Section 6.04. Proceedings by Holders. No Holder of any Note shall have any right by virtue of or by reference to any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator, custodian or other similar official, or for any other remedy hereunder, except in the case of a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities of such series, unless (a) such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided, (b) the Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such security or indemnity as it may require against the costs, liabilities or expenses to be incurred therein or thereby, (c) the Trustee for ninety (90) calendar days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of security or indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and (d) no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and Holder of every Debt Security with every other taker and Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders of Debt Securities shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of or by reference to any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holder of Debt Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders of Debt Securities (except as otherwise provided herein). For the protection and enforcement of this Section 6.04, each and every Noteholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture and any provision of any Debt Security, the right of any Holder of any Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof) and premium, if any, and accrued interest on such Debt Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt Security or in the event of redemption, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates against the Issuer shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

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Section 6.05. Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default, the Trustee may, in its discretion, proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as are necessary to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

Section 6.06. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing. All powers and remedies given by this Article 6 to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any of the Debt Securities of such series to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or any acquiescence therein, and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.04 hereof, every power and remedy given by this Article 6 or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.

Section 6.07. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided, that (a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, (b) the Trustee may take any other action which is not inconsistent with such direction, (c) the Trustee may decline to take any action that would benefit some Holders to the detriment of other Holders or otherwise be unduly prejudicial to the Holders not joining therein and (d) the Trustee may decline to take any action that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any such action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time outstanding may, on behalf of the Holders of all of such Debt Securities, waive any past Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except (i) a default in the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), premium, if any, or interest on such Debt Securities, unless such default has been cured and the Issuer or the Guarantor has deposited with the Trustee all required payments of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debt Securities (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities then outstanding may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration) or (ii) a default in respect of a covenant or provisions hereof which under Article 9 hereof cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holders of all such Debt Securities then outstanding or each such Debt Security affected thereby.

 

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Upon any such waiver, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 6.07, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.08. Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within sixty (60) calendar days after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of the occurrence of a Default, mail (or send by electronic transmission) to all Holders, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear upon the Note Register, notice of all Defaults known to a Responsible Officer, unless such Defaults shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided, that except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), or interest on any of the Debt Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Trustee determines in good faith that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders.

Section 6.09. Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Note by its acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may, in its discretion, require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided, that the provisions of this Section 6.09 (to the extent permitted by law) shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Issuer or the Guarantor, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Noteholder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than ten percent (10%) in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04 hereof, or to any suit instituted by any Noteholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), or interest on any Note on or after the due date expressed in such Note.

ARTICLE 7

THE TRUSTEE

Section 7.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiver of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of its own affairs.

 

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No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred:

(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith and willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;

(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the written direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time outstanding determined as provided in Section 8.04 hereof relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture;

(d) whether or not therein provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 8.04;

(e) the Trustee shall not be liable in respect of any payment (as to the correctness of amount, entitlement to receive or any other matters relating to payment) or notice effected by the Issuer or any Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) or any records maintained by any co-registrar (other than the Trustee) with respect to the Debt Securities of such series;

(f) if any party fails to deliver a notice relating to an event the fact of which, pursuant to this Indenture, requires notice to be sent to the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely on its failure to receive such notice as reason to act as if no such event occurred unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless the Trustee has otherwise received written notice thereof; and

(g) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default hereunder unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless the Trustee shall have been notified in writing of such Event of Default by the Issuer or a Holder of Debt Securities of such series.

 

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None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Except as explicitly specified otherwise herein, Issuer will be responsible for making all calculations required under this Indenture and the Debt Securities. Issuer will make such calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, Issuer’s calculations will be final and binding on Holders of the Debt Securities. Issuer will provide a schedule of its calculations to the Trustee, and the Trustee is entitled to rely upon the accuracy of Issuer’s calculations without independent verification. The Trustee will forward Issuer’s calculations to any Holder of the Debt Securities upon request.

Section 7.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01 hereof:

(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, Note, coupon or other paper or document (whether in its original, facsimile or electronic form) believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer or the General Partner;

(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance on and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

(d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;

(e) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney;

 

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(f) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed by it with due care hereunder;

(g) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(h) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;

(i) the Trustee may request that the Issuer deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;

(j) any permissive right or authority granted to the Trustee shall not be construed as a mandatory duty;

(k) the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for punitive, special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of actions; and

(l) the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; and acts of civil or military authorities and governmental action.

Section 7.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, etc. The recitals contained herein and in the underlying Debt Securities (except in the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of any Debt Securities or the proceeds of any Debt Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

Section 7.04. Trustee, Paying Agents or Note Registrar May Own Debt Securities. The Trustee, any Paying Agent or Note Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent or Note Registrar.

 

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Section 7.05. Monies to Be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02 hereof, all monies received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received. Monies held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any monies received by it hereunder except as may be agreed in writing from time to time by the Issuer and the Trustee.

Section 7.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. The Issuer covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in any capacity (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as mutually agreed to from time to time in writing between the Issuer and the Trustee, and the Issuer will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances reasonably incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence, willful misconduct, recklessness or bad faith. The Issuer also covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (or any officer, director or employee of the Trustee), in any capacity under this Indenture and any authenticating agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or reasonable expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence, willful misconduct, recklessness or bad faith on the part of the Trustee or such officers, directors, employees or authenticating agent, as the case may be, and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or in any other capacity hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer, any Holder or any other Person) of liability in the premises. The obligations of the Issuer under this Section 7.06 to compensate or indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Debt Securities of such series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular such Debt Securities. The obligation of the Issuer under this Section 7.06 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee and its agents and any authenticating agent incur expenses or render services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), 6.01(f) or 6.01(g) hereof with respect to the Issuer occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute reasonable expenses of administration under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.

Section 7.07. Officers Certificate as Evidence. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01 hereof, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of gross negligence, bad faith, recklessness or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee.

 

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Section 7.08. Conflicting Interests of Trustee. If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

Section 7.09. Eligibility of Trustee. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 (or if such Person is a member of a bank holding company system, its bank holding company shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000). If such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of any supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 7.09 the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.09, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 7.10. Resignation or Removal of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Issuer and to the Holders of Debt Securities. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment sixty (60) calendar days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the Holders, the resigning Trustee may, upon ten (10) Business Days’ notice to the Issuer and the Holders, appoint a successor identified in such notice or may petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or, if any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debt Security for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 6.09 hereof, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:

(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 7.08 hereof after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debt Security for at least six months; or

(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.09 hereof and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any such Noteholder; or

(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;

 

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then, in any such case, the Issuer may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 6.09 hereof, any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debt Security for at least six months may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee; provided, that if no successor Trustee shall have been appointed and have accepted appointment sixty (60) calendar days after either the Issuer or the Holders has removed the Trustee, or the Trustee resigns, the Trustee so removed may petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

(c) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 7.10 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 7.11 hereof.

(d) Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.10, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.06 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

Section 7.11. Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 7.10 hereof shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Issuer and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Issuer or of the successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amount then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06 hereof, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to act. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Issuer shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property and funds held or collected by such trustee as such, except for funds held in trust for the benefit of Holders of particular Debt Securities, to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06 hereof.

No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 7.11 unless, at the time of such acceptance, such successor trustee shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 7.08 hereof and be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.09 hereof.

Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section 7.11, the Issuer (or the former trustee, at the written direction of the Issuer) shall mail (or send by electronic transmission) or cause to be mailed (or sent by electronic transmission) notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to the Holders of Debt Securities at their addresses as they shall appear on the Note Register. If the Issuer fails to mail such notice within ten (10) calendar days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Issuer.

 

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Section 7.12. Succession by Merger. Any organization or entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or exchanged or with which it may be consolidated, or any organization or entity resulting from any merger, conversion, exchange or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any organization or entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor to the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided, that in the case of any organization or entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, such corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 7.08 hereof and eligible under the provisions of Section 7.09 hereof.

In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Debt Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or authenticating agent appointed by such predecessor trustee, and deliver such Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee or any authenticating agent appointed by such successor trustee may authenticate such Debt Securities in the name of the successor trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force that is provided in the Debt Securities or in this Indenture; provided, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Debt Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, exchange or consolidation.

Section 7.13. Preferential Collection of Claims. If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of the claims against the Issuer (or any such other obligor).

ARTICLE 8

RESERVED

ARTICLE 9

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. The Issuer, the Guarantor and the Trustee may, from time to time, and at any time enter into a supplemental indenture (a “Supplemental Indenture”) without the consent of the Holders of any series of Notes for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to evidence a successor to the Issuer as obligor or to the Guarantor as guarantor under this Indenture;

 

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(b) to add to the covenants of the Issuer or the Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer or the Guarantor in this Indenture or in the Notes;

(c) to add Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes;

(d) to amend or supplement any provisions of this Indenture; provided, that no amendment or supplement shall materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of any Notes then outstanding;

(e) to secure the Notes;

(f) to provide for the acceptance of appointment of a successor Trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under this Indenture by more than one Trustee;

(g) to provide for rights of Holders of Notes if any consolidation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of property or assets of the Issuer and the Guarantor occurs;

(h) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture; provided, that this action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Notes in any material respect;

(i) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture and the relevant Supplemental Indenture;

(j) to establish the form or terms of the Debt Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.02;

(k) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any of the Debt Securities; provided, that the action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any material respect; or

(l) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Guarantee or the Debt Securities to any provision of the description thereof set forth in the Prospectus to the extent that such provision in the Prospectus was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision in this Indenture, the Guarantee or the Debt Securities.

Upon the written request of the Issuer, accompanied by a copy of the resolutions of the General Partner authorizing the execution of any Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer and the Guarantor in the execution of any such Supplemental Indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any Supplemental Indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any Supplemental Indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.01 may be executed by the Issuer, the Guarantor and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Notes at the time outstanding.

 

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Section 9.02. Supplemental Indenture With Consent of Holders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 8 hereof) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of each series at the time outstanding, the Issuer, the Guarantor and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into a Supplemental Indenture for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Notes; provided, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Note affected thereby:

(a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of or any installment of interest on the Notes, reduce the principal amount of, or the rate or amount of interest on, or any premium payable on redemption of, the Notes, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the Holder of the Notes, change the place of payment, or the coin or currency, for payment of principal of or interest on any Note or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the Notes;

(b) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes necessary to modify or amend this Indenture, to waive compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults and their consequences provided in this Indenture, or to reduce the requirements of quorum or change voting requirements set forth in this Indenture;

(c) modify or affect in any manner adverse to the Holders the terms and conditions of the obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantor (except as provided in Section 16.04) in respect of the due and punctual payments of principal and interest; or

(d) modify any of this Section 9.02 or 6.07 hereof or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of certain past Defaults or certain covenants, except to increase the required percentage to effect the action or to provide that certain other provisions may not be modified or waived without the consent of the Holders of the Notes; or

(e) change the terms of the subordination of the Notes in a manner adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the notes.

Upon the written request of the Issuer, accompanied by a copy of the resolutions of the General Partner authorizing the execution of any Supplemental Indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Noteholders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantor in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Noteholders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed Supplemental Indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

Section 9.03. Subordination Unimpaired. This Indenture shall not be amended at any time to alter the subordination, as provided herein, of any of the Notes then outstanding without the written consent of the requisite holders of each series of debt securities representing Senior Indebtedness (as determined in accordance with terms of the instrument governing such Senior Indebtedness) then outstanding that would be adversely affected thereby.

 

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Section 9.04. Effect of Supplemental Indenture. Any Supplemental Indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9 shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect, provided that this Section 9.04 shall not require such Supplemental Indenture or the Trustee to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act prior to the time, if ever, such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act or the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, nor shall it constitute any admission or acknowledgment by any party to such Supplemental Indenture that any such qualification is required prior to the time, if ever, such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act or the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. Upon the execution of any Supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of Notes shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder, subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions of any such Supplemental Indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

Section 9.05. Notation on Notes. Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any Supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9 may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such Supplemental Indenture. If the Issuer or the Trustee shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Issuer, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such Supplemental Indenture may, at the Issuer’s expense, be prepared and executed by the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee (or an authenticating agent duly appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 17.11 hereof) and delivered in exchange for the Notes then outstanding, upon surrender of such Notes then outstanding.

Section 9.06. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished to Trustee. Prior to entering into any Supplemental Indenture pursuant to this Article 9, the Trustee shall be provided with an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any Supplemental Indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article 9 and is otherwise authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

ARTICLE 10

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

Section 10.01. Issuer May Consolidate on Certain Terms. Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Issuer with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer), or successive consolidations or mergers in which either the Issuer will be the continuing entity or the Issuer or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property of the Issuer, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer); provided, however, that the following conditions are met:

 

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(a) the Issuer shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than the Issuer) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the transfer of assets shall be domiciled in the United States and shall expressly assume payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Notes and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture;

(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(c) either the Issuer or the successor Person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a Supplemental Indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such Supplemental Indenture comply with this Article 10 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

No such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease shall be permitted by this Section 10.01 unless prior thereto the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the Issuer’s obligations hereunder shall remain in full force and effect thereafter.

Section 10.02. Issuer Successor to Be Substituted. Upon any consolidation by the Issuer with or merger of the Issuer into any other Person or any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer to any Person in accordance with Section 10.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Issuer herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released and discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Notes thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

Section 10.03. Guarantor May Consolidate on Certain Terms. Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Guarantor with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with the Guarantor), or successive consolidations or mergers in which either the Guarantor will be the continuing entity or the Guarantor or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property of the Guarantor, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Guarantor); provided, however, that the following conditions are met:

(a) the Guarantor shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than the Guarantor) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the transfer of assets shall be domiciled in the United States and shall expressly assume the obligations of the Guarantor under the Guarantee and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture;

 

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(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(c) either the Guarantor or the successor Person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate of the Guarantor and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, sale, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such Supplemental Indenture comply with this Article 10 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

No such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease shall be permitted by this Section 10.03 unless prior thereto the Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the Guarantor’s obligations hereunder shall remain in full force and effect thereafter.

Section 10.04. Guarantor Successor to Be Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger or any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Guarantor to any Person in accordance with this Section 10.04, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Guarantor is merged or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Guarantor under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Guarantor herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released and discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Guarantee.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Notes thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

Section 10.05. Assumption by Guarantor. Without the consent of any Holders of the Notes, the Guarantor, or a Subsidiary thereof, may directly assume, by a Supplemental Indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on all the Notes and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Issuer to be performed or observed. Upon any such assumption, the Guarantor or such Subsidiary shall succeed to, and be substituted for and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if the Guarantor or such Subsidiary had been named as the Issuer herein and the Issuer shall be released from all obligations and covenants with respect to the Notes. No such assumption shall be permitted unless the Guarantor has delivered to the Trustee (i) an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such assumption and Supplemental Indenture comply with this Article 10, and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with and that, in the event of assumption by a Subsidiary, the Guarantee and all other covenants of the Guarantor herein remain in full force and effect and (ii) an opinion of independent counsel that the Holders of Notes shall have no materially adverse United States federal tax consequences as a result of such assumption, and that, if any Notes are then listed on the New York Stock Exchange, that such Notes shall not be delisted as a result of such assumption.

 

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ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 11.01. Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes herein expressly provided for and except as further provided below), and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when (a) either: (1) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 11.04 hereof and (ii) Notes for whose payment monies have theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuer as provided in Section 11.04 hereof) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (2) all such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable, whether at the applicable maturity date, or otherwise, or (ii) are to be called for redemption under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer, and the Issuer, in the case of clause (1) or (2) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee or a Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or any of its Affiliates), as applicable, as trust funds in trust cash in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes which have become due and payable) or to the applicable maturity date or Redemption Date, as the case may be; provided, however, that there shall not exist, on the date of such deposit, a Default or Event of Default; provided, further, that such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or to which the Issuer is bound; (b) the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer; and (c) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Issuer to the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof shall survive and, if monies shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (2) of clause (a) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Sections 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, and 5.01 hereof and this Article 11, shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full.

Section 11.02. Deposited Monies to Be Held in Trust by Trustee. Subject to Section 11.04 hereof, all monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.05 hereof shall be held in trust for the sole benefit of the Holders, and such monies shall be applied by the Trustee to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer if acting as its own Paying Agent), to the Holders of the particular Notes for the payment or redemption of which such monies have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal, premium, if any, and interest. The Trustee is not responsible to anyone for interest on any deposited funds except as agreed in writing.

 

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Section 11.03. Paying Agent to Repay Monies Held. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.04 hereof, the Trustee or a Paying Agent shall hold in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, all monies deposited with it pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof and shall apply the deposited monies in accordance with this Indenture and the Notes to the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof) and interest on the Notes.

Section 11.04. Return of Unclaimed Monies. The Trustee and each Paying Agent shall pay to the Issuer upon request any monies held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years after a right to such monies have matured; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such payment, may, at the expense of the Issuer, either publish in a newspaper of general circulation in The City of New York, or cause to be mailed (or sent by electronic transmission) to each Holder entitled to such monies, notice that such monies remain unclaimed and that after a date specified therein, which shall be at least thirty (30) calendar days from the date of such mailing or publication, any unclaimed balance of such monies then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer. After payment to the Issuer, Holders entitled to monies must look to the Issuer for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person, and the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall be relieved of all liability with respect to such monies.

Section 11.05. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any monies in accordance with Section 11.02 hereof by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such monies in accordance with Section 11.02 hereof; provided, that if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the monies held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 12

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 12.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 12.

Section 12.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 12.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 12.02, the Issuer and the Guarantor will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes and Guarantee on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantor will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Debt represented by the outstanding Notes and Guarantee, which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 12.05 hereof and the other sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Guarantee and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium on, such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 12.04 hereof;

 

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(b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuer’s and the Guarantor’s obligations in connection therewith; and

(d) this Article 12.

Subject to compliance with this Article 12, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 12.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 12.03 hereof.

Section 12.03. Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 12.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 12.03, the Issuer and the Guarantor will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.09, 4.10 and 4.11 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 12.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Guarantee, the Issuer and the Guarantor may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Guarantee will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 12.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 12.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(c) and 6.01(d) hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

Section 12.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof:

(a) the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium and interest on, the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be, and the Issuer must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular Redemption Date;

 

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(b) in the case of an election under Section 12.02 hereof, the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that:

(1) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(2) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(c) in the case of an election under Section 12.03 hereof, the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced), and the granting of liens to secure such borrowings);

(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture and the agreements governing any other indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) to which the Issuer or the Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or the Guarantor is bound;

(f) the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuer with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Issuer with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuer or others; and

(g) the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

Section 12.05. Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

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Subject to Section 12.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 12.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 12.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Issuer will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 12.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 12 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the request of the Issuer any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 12.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 12.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 12.06. Repayment to Issuer.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its request or (if then held by the Issuer) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Issuer cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer.

Section 12.07. Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s and the Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Guarantee will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium or interest on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE 13

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 13.01. Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations. Except as otherwise expressly provided in Article 16 hereof, no recourse for the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof) or, premium, if any, or interest on any Global Debt Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer in this Indenture or in any Supplemental Indenture or in any Global Debt Security or Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, limited partner, member, manager, employee, agent, officer, director or Subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the General Partner, the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries or of any successor thereto, either directly or through the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries or any successor thereto, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Global Debt Securities.

ARTICLE 14

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF NOTES

Section 14.01. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called. A meeting of Holders of Notes may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article 14 to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other act provided by this Indenture or a Supplemental Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Notes.

Section 14.02. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Notes of a series for any purpose specified in Section 14.01 hereof, to be held at such time and at such place in The City of New York, New York as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Notes, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 17.03 hereof, not less than twenty-one (21) nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

(b) In case at any time the Issuer, the Guarantor or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Notes of such series for any purpose specified in Section 14.01 hereof, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed notice of or made the first publication of the notice of such

 

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meeting within twenty-one (21) days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Issuer, the Guarantor, if applicable, or the Holders of Notes in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the City of New York, New York, for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in clause (a) of this Section 14.02.

Section 14.03. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Notes of a series, a Person shall be (a) a Holder of one or more outstanding Notes, or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more outstanding Notes by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Notes shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel, any representatives of the Guarantor and its counsel and any representatives of the Issuer and its counsel.

Section 14.04. Quorum; Action. The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of such Notes; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at the meeting with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which may be made, given or taken by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, the Persons holding or representing the specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes will constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Notes, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than ten (10) days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than ten (10) days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 14.02 hereof, except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the outstanding Notes which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.02 hereof, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.02 hereof, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

 

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Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Notes duly held in accordance with this Section 14.04 shall be binding on all the Holders of Notes, whether or not such Holders were present or represented at the meeting.

Section 14.05. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Notes in regard to proof of the holding of Notes and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Notes shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 8.03 hereof and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 8.01 hereof.

(a) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Issuer or by Holders of Notes as provided in Section 14.02(b) hereof, in which case the Issuer, the Guarantor or the Holders of Notes calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of such series represented at the meeting.

(b) At any meeting, each Holder of a Note or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $2,000 principal amount of Notes held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Note challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Note or proxy.

(c) Any meeting of Holders of Notes duly called pursuant to Section 14.02 hereof at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 14.06. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Notes shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Notes or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the outstanding Notes held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in triplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Notes shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 14.02 hereof and, if applicable, Section 14.04 hereof. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Issuer and the Guarantor, and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

 

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ARTICLE 15

SUBORDINATION OF NOTES

Section 15.01. Agreement of Subordination. The Issuer covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Notes issued hereunder by his or her acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that all Notes shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article 15; and each Noteholder, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.

The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all Notes issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.

The provisions of this Article 15 define the subordination of the Notes, as obligations of the Issuer, with respect to Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, as defined for the Issuer. All such provisions shall also be deemed to apply in the same way (mutatis mutandis) to the Guarantor, with appropriate corresponding references to the Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor.

No provision of this Article 15 shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default hereunder.

Section 15.02. Payments to Noteholders. In the event and during the continuation of any default in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer continuing beyond the period of grace, if any, specified in the instrument or lease evidencing such Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, then, unless and until such default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist, no payment shall be made by the Issuer with respect to the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes.

Upon any payment by the Issuer, or distribution of assets of the Issuer of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Issuer, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due or to become due upon all Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made on account of the principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Notes (except payments made pursuant to Article 11 hereof from monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant thereto prior to the happening of such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization); and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization any payment by the Issuer, or distribution of assets of the Issuer of and kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the holders of the Notes or the Trustee would be entitled, except for the provisions of this Article 15, shall (except as aforesaid) be paid by the Issuer or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders of the Notes or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the

 

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holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer held by such holders, as calculated by the Issuer) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer in full, in money or money’s worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders of the Notes or to the Trustee.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Issuer of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes before all Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Issuer, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer in full in money in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

For purposes of this Article 15, the words, “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include partnership interests of the Issuer as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Issuer or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article 15 with respect to the Notes to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer which may at the time be outstanding; provided that (i) the Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer (other than leases) and of leases which are assumed are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Issuer with, or the merger of the Issuer into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Issuer following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article 10 hereof shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 15.02 if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article 10 hereof. Nothing in this Section 15.02 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.06.

Section 15.03. Subrogation of Notes. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, the rights of the Holders of the Notes shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Issuer applicable to the Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Notes shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior

 

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Indebtedness of the Issuer of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of the Notes or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article 15 no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article 15, to or for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer by Holders of the Notes or the Trustee, shall, as between the Issuer, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, and the Holders of the Notes, be deemed to be a payment by the Issuer to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer. It is understood that the provisions of this Article 15 are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Notes, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, on the other hand.

Nothing contained in this Article 15 or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Notes is intended to or shall impair, as between the Issuer, its creditors other than the holders of its Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Notes, the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Notes the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Notes as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Notes and creditors of the Issuer other than the holders of its Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Note from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article 15 of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer in respect of cash, property or securities of the Issuer received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Issuer referred to in this Article 15, the Trustee, and the Holders of the Notes shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Notes, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Issuer, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 15.

Section 15.04. Authorization by Noteholders. Each Holder of a Note by his or her acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee in his or her behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article 15 appoints the Trustee his or her attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 15.05. Notice to Trustee. The Issuer shall give promptly written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of any fact known to the Issuer which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Article 15. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article 15 or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Article 15, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee from the Issuer or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, shall be entitled in all

 

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respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided that if on a date not fewer than three Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such monies may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Note) the Trustee shall not have received, with respect to such monies, the notice provided for in this Section 15.05, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such monies and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it on or after such prior date.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing shall prevent any payment by the Issuer or the Trustee to the Noteholders of monies in connection with a redemption of Notes if (i) notice of such redemption has been given pursuant to Article 3 or Section 11.01 hereof prior to the receipt by the Trustee of written notice as aforesaid, and (ii) such notice of redemption is given not earlier than sixty (60) days before the redemption date.

The Trustee conclusively shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer or a trustee on behalf of any such holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 15, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article 15, and if such evidence is not furnished the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

Section 15.06. Trustees Relation to Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article 15 in respect of any Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer and nothing elsewhere in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article 15, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer and the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer if it shall pay over or deliver to Holders of Notes, the Issuer or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer shall be entitled by virtue of this Article 15 or otherwise.

Section 15.07. No Impairment of Subordination. No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Issuer or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Issuer with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise be charge with.

 

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Section 15.08. Rights of Trustee. Nothing in this Article 15 shall apply to claims of or payments to, the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06 or Section 11.02.

Section 15.09. Article 15 Applicable to Paying Agents. The term “Trustee” as used in this Article 15, shall (unless the context otherwise requires) be construed as extending to and including the Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if the Paying Agent were named in this Article 15 in addition to in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that Section 15.06 and Section 15.08 shall not apply to the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer if it or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 16

GUARANTEE

Section 16.01. Guarantee. By its execution hereof, the Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that it receives substantial benefits from the Issuer and that the Guarantor is providing its Guarantee for good and valuable consideration, including, without limitation, such substantial benefits. Accordingly, subject to the provisions of Article 15 hereof and this Article 16, the Guarantor hereby unconditionally guarantees, on a subordinated basis, to each Holder of a Debt Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and its successors and assigns that: (i) the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), premium, if any, and interest on the Notes shall be duly and punctually paid in full when due, whether at the applicable maturity date, upon acceleration, upon redemption or otherwise, and interest on overdue principal, premium, if any, and (to the extent permitted by law) interest on any interest, if any, on the Notes and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or under the Notes (including fees, expenses or other) shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof; and (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, the same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at the applicable maturity date, by acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, subject, however, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) above, to the limitations set forth in Section 16.03 hereof (collectively, the “Guarantee Obligations”).

Except as subject to the provisions of Article 15 hereof and this Article 16, the Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any thereof, the entry of any judgment against the Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of the Guarantor. The Guarantee Obligations will be junior and subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor in the same manner and to the same extent as the Notes are subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer.

 

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The Guarantor hereby waives and relinquishes: (a) any right to require the Trustee, the Holders or the Issuer (each, a “Benefited Party”) to proceed against the Issuer or any other Person or to proceed against or exhaust any security held by a Benefited Party at any time or to pursue any other remedy in any secured party’s power before proceeding against the Guarantor; (b) any defense that may arise by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority, death or disability of any other Person or Persons or the failure of a Benefited Party to file or enforce a claim against the estate (in administration, bankruptcy or any other proceeding) of any other Person or Persons; (c) demand, protest and notice of any kind (except as expressly required by this Indenture), including but not limited to notice of the existence, creation or incurring of any new or additional indebtedness or obligation or of any action or non-action on the part of the Guarantor, the Issuer, any Benefited Party, any creditor of the Guarantor or the Issuer or on the part of any other Person whomsoever in connection with any obligations the performance of which are hereby guaranteed; (d) any defense based upon an election of remedies by a Benefited Party, including but not limited to an election to proceed against the Guarantor for reimbursement; (e) any defense based upon any statute or rule of law which provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal; (f) any defense arising because of a Benefited Party’s election, in any proceeding instituted under the Bankruptcy Law, of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code; and (g) any defense based on any borrowing or grant of a security interest under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code. The Guarantor hereby covenants that, except as otherwise provided therein, the Guarantee shall not be discharged except by payment in full of all Guarantee Obligations, including the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and all other costs provided for under this Indenture or as provided in Article 7 hereof.

If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to either the Issuer or the Guarantor, or any trustee or similar official acting in relation to either the Issuer or the Guarantor, any amount paid by the Issuer or the Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder, the Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. The Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any Guarantee Obligations hereby until payment in full of all such obligations guaranteed hereby. The Guarantor agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders of Notes and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes hereof, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guarantee Obligations, and (y) in the event of any acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such Guarantee Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purpose of the Guarantee.

Section 16.02. Execution and Delivery of Guarantee. To evidence the Guarantee set forth in Section 16.01 hereof, the Guarantor agrees that a notation of the Guarantee substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto shall be endorsed on each Debt Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of the Guarantor by an Officer of the Guarantor.

The Guarantor agrees that the Guarantee set forth in this Article 16 shall remain in full force and effect and apply to all the Debt Securities of such series notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Debt Security a notation of the Guarantee.

 

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If an officer whose signature is on a Debt Security or a notation of Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Debt Security on which the Guarantee is endorsed, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Debt Security by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantor.

Section 16.03. Limitation of Guarantors Liability; Certain Bankruptcy Events.

(a) The Guarantor, and by its acceptance hereof each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee Obligations of the Guarantor pursuant to its Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the Guarantee Obligations of the Guarantor under this Article 16 shall be limited to the maximum amount as shall, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of the Guarantor, result in the Guarantee Obligations of the Guarantor under the Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

(b) The Guarantor hereby covenants and agrees, to the fullest extent that it may do so under applicable law, that in the event of the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Issuer, the Guarantor shall not file (or join in any filing of), or otherwise seek to participate in the filing of, any motion or request seeking to stay or to prohibit (even temporarily) execution on the Guarantee and hereby waives and agrees not to take the benefit of any such stay of execution, whether under Section 362 or 105 of the Bankruptcy Law or otherwise.

Section 16.04. Release of Guarantor of Guarantee Obligations.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Guarantee Obligations of the Guarantor may be released upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable Supplemental Indenture. Provided that no Event of Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing under this Indenture, the Guarantee Obligations incurred by the Guarantor pursuant to this Article 16 shall be unconditionally released and discharged automatically upon the release of all guarantees by the Guarantor of the 2026 Notes, the Issuer’s 3.750% Senior Notes due 2027, the Issuer’s 3.100% Senior Notes due 2030, the Issuer’s unsecured credit and loan facilities and any additional guarantees by the Guarantor of senior unsecured indebtedness.

(b) Upon receipt of a written request of the Issuer accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that the Guarantor is entitled to such release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee shall deliver, at the Issuer’s expense, such instruments as are requested by the Issuer or Guarantor to evidence the release of the Guarantor from the Guarantee Obligations.

 

57


ARTICLE 17

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 17.01. Provisions Binding on Issuers and Guarantors Successors. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements by the Issuer or Guarantor contained in this Indenture shall bind their respective successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

Section 17.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Issuer or Guarantor shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any Person that shall at the time be the lawful sole successor of the Issuer or Guarantor.

Section 17.03. Addresses for Notices, etc. Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders of Notes on the Issuer or Guarantor shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box, or sent by overnight courier, or sent by telecopier transmission addressed as follows:

To the Issuer:

Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P.

3310 West End Avenue, Suite 700

Nashville, TN 37203

Telecopier No.: (615) 463-7739

Attention: Mr. Todd J. Meredith, President and Chief Executive Officer

cc: Mr. J. Christopher Douglas, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

To the Guarantor:

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

3310 West End Avenue, Suite 700

Nashville, TN 37203

Telecopier No.: (615) 463-7739

Attention: Mr. Todd J. Meredith, President and Chief Executive

cc: Mr. J. Christopher Douglas, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Any notice, direction, request or demand hereunder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited, postage prepaid, by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box, or sent by overnight courier, or sent by telecopier transmission addressed as follows:

 

58


U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association

Global Corporate Trust Services

101 North First Avenue, Suite 1600

Mailstop LM-AZ-16P

Phoenix, Arizona 85003

Telecopier No.: (602) 257-5433

Attention:

The Trustee, by notice to the Issuer, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

Any notice or communication mailed to a Noteholder shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at such Noteholder’s address as it appears on the Note Register and shall be sufficiently given to such Noteholder if so mailed within the time prescribed.

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Noteholder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

Section 17.04. Governing Law. This Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any laws other than the laws of the State of New York.

Section 17.05. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent, Certificates to Trustee. Upon any application or demand by the Issuer or Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer or Guarantor shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with, and, if requested by the Trustee, an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include: (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in such certificate or opinion is based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, such person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials.

Section 17.06. Legal Holidays. In any case in which the Stated Maturity of interest on or principal of the Notes or the Redemption Date of any Note will not be a Business Day, then payment of such interest on or principal of the Notes need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Stated Maturity or the Redemption Date, and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such date.

 

59


Section 17.07. Trust Indenture Act. This Indenture is hereby made subject to, and shall be governed by, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act required to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; provided, that this Section 17.07 shall not require this Indenture or the Trustee to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act prior to the time such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act, nor shall it constitute any admission or acknowledgment by any party to the Indenture that any such qualification is required prior to the time such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included in an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.

Section 17.08. No Security Interest Created. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction in which property of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries is located.

Section 17.09. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any authenticating agent, any Note Registrar and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Notes any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 17.10. Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 17.11. Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent that shall be authorized to act on its behalf, and subject to its direction, in the authentication and delivery of Notes in connection with the original issuance thereof and transfers and exchanges of Notes hereunder, including under Sections 2.04, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08 and 3.03 hereof, as fully to all intents and purposes as though the authenticating agent had been expressly authorized by this Indenture and those Sections to authenticate and deliver Notes. For all purposes of this Indenture, the authentication and delivery of Notes by the authenticating agent shall be deemed to be authentication and delivery of such Notes “by the Trustee” and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an authenticating agent shall be deemed to satisfy any requirement hereunder or in the Notes for the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. Such authenticating agent shall at all times be a Person eligible to serve as trustee hereunder pursuant to Section 7.09 hereof.

Any corporation into which any authenticating agent may be merged or exchanged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation or exchange to which any authenticating agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of any authenticating agent, shall be the successor of the authenticating agent hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 17.11, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or the authenticating agent or such successor corporation.

 

60


Any authenticating agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Issuer. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any authenticating agent by giving written notice of termination to such authenticating agent and to the Issuer. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any authenticating agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 17.11, the Trustee shall either promptly appoint a successor authenticating agent or itself assume the duties and obligations of the former authenticating agent under this Indenture and, upon such appointment of a successor authenticating agent, if made, shall give written notice of such appointment of a successor authenticating agent to the Issuer and shall mail notice of such appointment of a successor authenticating agent to all Holders of Notes as the names and addresses of such Holders appear on the Note Register.

The Issuer agrees to pay to the authenticating agent from time to time such reasonable compensation for its services as shall be agreed upon in writing between the Issuer and the authenticating agent.

The provisions of Sections 7.02, 7.03, 7.04 and 8.03 hereof and this Section 17.11 shall be applicable to any authenticating agent.

Section 17.12. Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Indenture by facsimile or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Indenture.

The Trustee shall not have any duty to confirm that the person sending any notice, instruction or other communication by electronic transmission (including by e-mail, facsimile transmission, web portal or other electronic methods) is, in fact, a person authorized to do so. Electronic signatures believed by the Trustee to comply with the ESIGN Act of 2000 or other applicable law (including electronic images of handwritten signatures and digital signatures provided by DocuSign, Orbit, Adobe Sign or any other digital signature provider acceptable to the Trustee) shall be deemed original signatures for all purposes. The Issuer assumes all risks arising out of the use of electronic signatures and electronic methods to send communications to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on an unauthorized communication, and the risk of interception or misuse by third parties.

Section 17.13. Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture declared and provided, upon the terms and conditions herein above set forth.

 

61


[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

62


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed.

 

HEALTHCARE REALTY HOLDINGS, L.P.
By:   Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated,
  its general partner
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
HEALTHCARE REALTY TRUST INCORPORATED as Guarantor
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Exhibit A

HEALTHCARE REALTY HOLDINGS, L.P.

% SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE [______]

No.

CUSIP No.:

ISIN:

$[______]

Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (herein called the “Issuer,” which term includes any successor entity under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or its registered assigns, the principal sum of [$______], or such lesser amount as is set forth in the Schedule of Increases or Decreases In Note on the other side of this Note, on [______], at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for that purpose in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, semi-annually on and of each year, commencing, [______], on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate per annum of [__]%, from the [______] or, as the case may be, next preceding the date of this Note to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, unless no interest has been paid or duly provided for on the Notes, in which case from [_____], until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. The Issuer shall pay interest on any Notes in certificated form by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it appears in the Note Register; provided, however, that a Holder of any Notes in certificated form in the aggregate principal amount of more than [$2.0 million] may specify by written notice to the Issuer that it pay interest by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified by the Noteholder in such notice, or on any Global Debt Securities by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee.

The Issuer promises to pay interest on overdue principal, premium, if any, and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) interest at the rate of 1% per annum above the rate borne by the Notes.

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof and the Indenture governing this Note. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed manually by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.

 

A1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this Note to be duly executed.

Dated:

 

HEALTHCARE REALTY HOLDINGS, L.P.

By: Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, its general partner

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Notes described in the within-named Indenture.

Dated:

 

U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P.

% SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE [______]

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Issuer, designated as its % Subordinated Notes due [______] (herein called the “Notes”), issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of [______], (herein called the “Indenture”), between the Issuer and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (herein called the “Trustee”), to which Indenture and any indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of the Notes. Defined terms used but not otherwise defined in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture.

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), Section 6.01(f) or Section 6.01(g) with respect to the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes may be declared to be due and payable by either the Trustee or the Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and, upon said declaration the same shall be immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), Section 6.01(f) or Section 6.01(g) of the Indenture occurs with respect to the Issuer, the principal of and premium, if any, and interest accrued and unpaid on all the Notes shall be immediately and automatically due and payable without necessity of further action.

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Issuer and the Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Notes, subject to exceptions set forth in Section 9.02 of the Indenture. Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, waive any past Default or Event of Default, subject to exceptions set forth in the Indenture.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall impair, as among the Issuer and the Holders of the Notes, the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, on and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein and in the Indenture prescribed.

Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.


The Notes are issuable in fully registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and any multiple of $1,000. At the office or agency of the Issuer referred to on the face hereof, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without payment of any service charge but with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration or exchange of Notes, Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of any other authorized denominations.

The Issuer shall have the right to redeem the Notes under certain circumstances as set forth in Section 3.01, Section 3.02 and Section 3.03 of the Indenture.

The Notes are not subject to redemption through the operation of any sinking fund.

No recourse for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer in the Indenture or any supplemental indenture or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, limited partner, member, manager, employee, agent, officer, director or subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries or of any successor thereto, either directly or through the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s subsidiaries or of any successor thereto, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as consideration for, the execution of the Indenture and the issue of this Note.


Exhibit B

FORM OF GUARANTEE

The Guarantor listed below (hereinafter referred to as the “Guarantor,” which term includes any successors or assigns under the Indenture, dated the date hereof, among the Guarantor, the Issuer (as defined below) and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (the “Indenture”)), has irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed on a subordinated basis the Guarantee Obligations (as defined in Section 16.01 of the Indenture), which include (i) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the % Subordinated Notes due (the “Notes”) of Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Issuer”), whether at maturity, by acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent permitted by law) interest on any interest on the Notes, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Issuer, to the Holders of the Notes or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms set forth in Article 16 of the Indenture, and (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any such other obligations, that the same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at maturity, by acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

The obligations of the Guarantor to the Holders of the Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to this Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 16 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to such Indenture for the precise terms of this Guarantee.

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder (direct or indirect) of the Guarantor (or any such successor entity), as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.

The Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of merger or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, the benefit of discussion, protest or notice with respect to the Notes and all demands whatsoever.

This is a continuing Guarantee and shall remain in full force and effect and shall be binding upon the Guarantor and its successors and assigns until full and final payment of all of the Issuer’s obligations under the Notes and Indenture or until legally discharged in accordance with the Indenture and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes, and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder of the Notes or the Trustee, the rights and privileges herein conferred upon that party shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions hereof. This is a Guarantee of payment and performance and not of collectability.

 

B1


This Guarantee shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication on the Note upon which this Guarantee is noted shall have been signed, in the name and on behalf of the Trustee under the Indenture, manually or by facsimile or other electronic imaging means by one of the authorized officers of the Trustee under the Indenture.

The obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall be limited to the extent necessary to insure that it does not constitute a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law.

THE TERMS OF ARTICLE 16 OF THE INDENTURE ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.

Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings given in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated.

Exhibit 4.24

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, as Issuer

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee

 

 

SENIOR INDENTURE

Dated as of

[______]

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section

       Page  
ARTICLE 1  
DEFINITIONS  
Section 1.01.   Definitions      1  
ARTICLE 2

 

ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES

 

Section 2.01.   Designation Amount and Issue of Notes      8  
Section 2.02.   Form of Notes      9  
Section 2.03.   Reserved      10  
Section 2.04.   Execution of Notes      10  
Section 2.05.   Note Registrar and Paying Agent      10  

Section 2.06.

  Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer      11  

Section 2.07.

  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes      12  

Section 2.08.

  Temporary Notes      13  

Section 2.09.

  Cancellation of Notes      13  

Section 2.10.

  CUSIP Numbers      13  
ARTICLE 3  
REDEMPTION OF NOTES  

Section 3.01.

  Optional Redemption of Notes      14  

Section 3.02.

  Notice of Optional Redemption; Selection of Notes      14  

Section 3.03.

  Payment of Notes Called for Redemption by the Issuer      15  
ARTICLE 4  
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER  

Section 4.01.

  Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest      16  

Section 4.02.

  Maintenance of Office or Agency      16  

Section 4.03.

  Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office      16  

Section 4.04.

  Provisions as to Paying Agent      17  

Section 4.05.

  Existence      18  

Section 4.06.

  Reports      18  

Section 4.07.

  Stay, Extension and Usury Laws      19  

Section 4.08.

  Compliance Certificate      19  

Section 4.09.

  Limitations on Incurrence of Debt      19  

Section 4.10.

  Insurance      21  

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

Section

       Page  
ARTICLE 5  
NOTEHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE  

Section 5.01.

  Noteholders’ Lists      21  

Section 5.02.

  Preservation and Disclosure of Lists      21  

Section 5.03.

  Reports by Trustee      22  
ARTICLE 6  
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS ON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT  

Section 6.01.

  Events of Default      22  

Section 6.02.

  Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor      24  

Section 6.03.

  Application of Monies Collected by Trustee      26  

Section 6.04.

  Proceedings by Holders      26  

Section 6.05.

  Proceedings by Trustee      27  

Section 6.06.

  Remedies Cumulative and Continuing      27  

Section 6.07.

  Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders      27  

Section 6.08.

  Notice of Defaults      28  

Section 6.09.

  Undertaking to Pay Costs      28  
ARTICLE 7  
THE TRUSTEE  

Section 7.01.

  Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee      29  

Section 7.02.

  Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc.      30  

Section 7.03.

  No Responsibility for Recitals, etc.      32  

Section 7.04.

  Trustee, Paying Agents or Registrar May Own Notes      32  

Section 7.05.

  Monies to Be Held in Trust      32  

Section 7.06.

  Compensation and Expenses of Trustee      32  

Section 7.07.

  Officers’ Certificate as Evidence      33  

Section 7.08.

  Conflicting Interests of Trustee      33  

Section 7.09.

  Eligibility of Trustee      33  

Section 7.10.

  Resignation or Removal of Trustee      33  

Section 7.11.

  Acceptance by Successor Trustee      34  

Section 7.12.

  Succession by Merger      35  

Section 7.13.

  Preferential Collection of Claims      35  

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

Section

       Page  
ARTICLE 8  
RESERVED  
ARTICLE 9  
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES  

Section 9.01.

  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders      36  

Section 9.02.

  Supplemental Indenture With Consent of Holders      37  

Section 9.03.

  Effect of Supplemental Indenture      38  

Section 9.04.

  Notation on Notes      38  

Section 9.05.

  Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished to Trustee      38  
ARTICLE 10  
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE  

Section 10.01.

  Issuer May Consolidate on Certain Terms      38  

Section 10.02.

  Issuer Successor to Be Substituted      39  
ARTICLE 11  
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE  

Section 11.01.

  Discharge of Indenture      39  

Section 11.02.

  Deposited Monies to Be Held in Trust by Trustee      40  

Section 11.03.

  Paying Agent to Repay Monies Held      40  

Section 11.04.

  Return of Unclaimed Monies      40  

Section 11.05.

  Reinstatement      41  
ARTICLE 12  
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE  

Section 12.01.

  Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      41  

Section 12.02.

  Legal Defeasance and Discharge      41  

Section 12.03.

  Covenant Defeasance      42  

Section 12.04.

  Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance      42  

Section 12.05.

  Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions      43  

Section 12.06.

  Repayment to Issuer      44  

Section 12.07.

  Reinstatement      44  

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

Section

       Page  
ARTICLE 13  
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS  

Section 13.01.

  Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations      44  
ARTICLE 14  
MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF NOTES  

Section 14.01.

  Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called      45  

Section 14.02.

  Call, Notice and Place of Meetings      45  

Section 14.03.

  Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings      45  

Section 14.04.

  Quorum; Action      45  

Section 14.05.

  Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings      46  

Section 14.06.

  Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings      47  
ARTICLE 15  
RESERVED  
ARTICLE 16  
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS  

Section 16.01.

  Provisions Binding on Issuer’s Successors      47  

Section 16.02.

  Official Acts by Successor Corporation      47  

Section 16.03.

  Addresses for Notices, etc.      47  

Section 16.04.

  Governing Law      48  

Section 16.05.

  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent, Certificates to Trustee      48  

Section 16.06.

  Legal Holidays      49  

Section 16.07.

  Trust Indenture Act      49  

Section 16.08.

  No Security Interest Created      49  

Section 16.09.

  Benefits of Indenture      49  

Section 16.10.

  Table of Contents, Headings, etc.      49  

Section 16.11.

  Authenticating Agent      49  

Section 16.12.

  Execution in Counterparts      50  

Section 16.13.

  Severability      51  

Exhibit A – Form of Note

     A1  

 

iv


CROSS REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

  

Indenture Section

310(a)(1)    7.09
(a)(2)    7.09
(a)(3)    N.A.
(a)(4)    N.A.
(a)(5)    N.A.
(b)    7.08, 7.10
(c)    N.A.
311(a)    7.13
(b)    7.13
(c)    N.A.
312(a)    5.01
(b)    5.02
(c)    5.02
313(a)    5.03
(b)    5.03
(c)    5.03
(d)    5.03
314(a)    4.06, 4.08
(b)    N.A.
(c)(1)    16.05
(c)(2)    16.05
(c)(3)    N.A.
(d)    N.A.
(e)    16.05
(f)    N.A.
315(a)    7.01
(b)    6.08
(c)    7.01
(d)    7.01
(e)    6.09
316(a)(1)(A)    6.07
(a)(1)(B)    6.07
(a)(2)    N.A.
(b)    N.A.
(c)    N.A.
317(a)(1)    6.02
(a)(2)    6.02
(b)    11.03
318(a)    N.A.

 

N.A. means not applicable.

 

*

This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.

 

v


SENIOR INDENTURE

SENIOR INDENTURE dated as of [______] (hereinafter called this “Indenture”) among Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, a Maryland corporation (f/k/a Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., a Maryland corporation) (hereinafter called the “Issuer”), having its principal office at 3310 West End Avenue, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37203, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee hereunder (hereinafter called the “Trustee”).

WHEREAS, the Issuer for its lawful purposes has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its notes, Additional Notes (as defined below) or other evidence of indebtedness (hereinafter called the “Debt Securities” or “Notes”) to be issued in one or more series as herein provided; and

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

THAT, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants herein contained and of the purchase and acceptance of the Debt Securities by the holders thereof, and for other valuable consideration the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, it is hereby agreed among the Issuer and the Trustee, for the benefit of those who shall hold the Debt Securities, as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01. Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any Supplemental Indenture shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.01. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act (as defined below) or which are by reference therein defined in the Securities Act (as defined below) (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Indenture Act and in the Securities Act as in force at the date of the execution of this Indenture. The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other Subdivision. The terms defined in this Article include the plural as well as the singular.

2026 Notes” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01 hereof.

Acquired Debt” means Debt of a Person (1) existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or (2) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case, other than Debt incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Subsidiary or such acquisition. Acquired Debt shall be deemed to be incurred on the date of the related acquisition of assets from any Person or the date the acquired Person becomes a Subsidiary.

Additional Notes” means additional Notes which may be issued from time to time in accordance with the terms of the applicable Supplemental Indenture.

 

1


Adjusted Treasury Rate” means, on any Redemption Date, the rate per year, as determined by the Quotation Agent, equal to:

(1) the yield, under the heading that represents the weekly average yield (being, if not reported as a weekly average yield, the average of the five most recent daily reported yields), appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15” or any successor publication that is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue; provided that if no maturity is within three months before or after the Remaining Life of the Debt Securities of such series, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue will be determined and the Adjusted Treasury Rate will be interpolated or extrapolated from those yields on a straight-line basis rounding to the nearest month; or

(2) if that release, or any successor release, is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per year equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that Redemption Date.

The Adjusted Treasury Rate will be calculated at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the third Business Day preceding the date of the notice of redemption by the Quotation Agent.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Agent” means any Note Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

Annual Debt Service Charge” as of any date means the amount of interest expense determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Authentication Order” means the written order of the Issuer directing the Trustee to authenticate any Debt Securities.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal, state, or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Issuer or a committee of such board duly authorized to act for it hereunder.

 

2


Business Day” means, with respect to any Note, any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York, or in such other place of payment of the Notes, are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking S.A.

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the Remaining Life that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Life.

Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Trustee obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.

Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service” means, for any period, Earnings from Operations of Issuer and its Subsidiaries plus amounts which have been deducted, and minus amounts which have been added, for the following (without duplication): (1) Annual Debt Service Charge of Issuer and its Subsidiaries, (2) provision for taxes of Issuer and its Subsidiaries based on income, (3) provisions for gains and losses on properties and depreciation and amortization, (4) increases in deferred taxes and other non-cash items, (5) depreciation and amortization with respect to interests in joint venture and partially owned entity investments, (6) the effect of any charge resulting from a change in accounting principles in determining Earnings from Operations for such period, and (7) amortization of deferred charges.

Corporate Trust Office” or other similar term, means the designated office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business as it relates to this Indenture shall be administered, which office is, at the date as of which this Indenture is dated, located at the address set forth in Section 16.03 hereof.

Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 12.03 hereof.

CUSIP” means the Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures.

Custodian” means U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

Debt” means any of Issuer’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ indebtedness, whether or not contingent, in respect of (without duplication) (1) borrowed money evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, (2) indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or any security interest existing on property owned by Issuer or any of its

 

3


Subsidiaries, but only to the extent of the lesser of (a) the amount of indebtedness so secured and (b) the fair market value (determined in good faith by the board of directors of such Person or, in the case of Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries, by the Board of Directors) of the property subject to such mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or security interest, (3) the reimbursement obligations, contingent or otherwise, in connection with any letters of credit actually issued or amounts representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, or all conditional sale obligations or obligations under any title retention agreement, or (4) any lease of property by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries as lessee which is reflected on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet as a financing lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; but only to the extent, in the case of items of indebtedness under (1) through (3) above, that any such items (other than letters of credit) would appear as a liability on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The term “Debt” also includes, to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise (other than for purposes of collection in the ordinary course of business or for the purposes of guaranteeing the payment of all amounts due and owing pursuant to leases to which Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries are a party and have assigned its or their interest, provided that such assignee of Issuer or its Subsidiary is not in default of any amounts due and owing under such leases), Debt of another Person (other than Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) (it being understood that Debt shall be deemed to be incurred by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries whenever Issuer or such Subsidiary shall create, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect thereof). In the case of items of indebtedness under (4) above, the term “Debt” will exclude any lease of property by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries as lessee which is reflected on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet as an operating lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

“Debt Securities” or “Notes” has the meaning specified in the second paragraph of this Indenture.

Default” means any event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become, an Event of Default.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03 hereof.

Depositary” means the clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as the Depositary for the Global Debt Securities. DTC shall be the initial Depositary, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.

Earnings from Operations” means, for any period, net income or loss of Issuer and its Subsidiaries, excluding: (1) provisions for gains and losses on sales of investments or joint ventures; (2) provisions for gains and losses on disposition of discontinued operations; (3) extraordinary and non-recurring items; and (4) impairment charges, property valuation losses and non-cash charges necessary to record interest rate contracts at fair value; plus amounts received as rent under leases which are accounted for as financing arrangements net of related interest income, as reflected in the consolidated financial statements of Issuer and its Subsidiaries for such period determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

4


EDGAR” has the meaning specified in Section 4.06(a) hereof.

Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear system.

Event of Default” means any event specified in Section 6.01 hereof as an Event of Default.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

Global Debt Securities Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Debt Securities issued under this Indenture.

Global Debt Securities” means the Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, and that bears the Global Debt Securities Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Debt Securities” attached thereto, issued in accordance with this Indenture.

Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit.

Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented.

Intercompany Debt” means Debt to which the only parties are any of Issuer and any of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that with respect to any such Debt of which Issuer is the borrower, such Debt is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes.

interest” means, when used with reference to the Notes, any interest payable under the terms of the Notes.

Issuer” means the corporation named as the “Issuer” in the first paragraph of this Indenture, and, subject to the provisions of Article 10 hereof, shall include its successors and assigns.

Legal Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 12.02 hereof.

Note Register” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05 hereof.

Note Registrar” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05 hereof.

Noteholder” or “Holder” as applied to any Debt Security, or other similar terms (but excluding the term “beneficial holder”), means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Debt Security is registered on the Note Registrar’s books.

 

5


Officer” means, with respect to any Person, any person holding any of the following positions with such Person, or, in the case of a Person that is a partnership, the general partner of such Person: the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer and the Secretary.

Officers’ Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by any two Officers or by one such Officer and any Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary of such Person or, in the case of a Person that is a partnership, the general partner of such Person.

Opinion of Counsel” means, with respect to any Person, an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to such Person, or other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

outstanding,” when used with reference to Notes and subject to the provisions of Section 8.04 hereof, means, as of any particular time, all Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:

(1) Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(2) Notes, or portions thereof, (i) for the redemption of which monies in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent (other than the Issuer) or (ii) which shall have been otherwise discharged in accordance with Article 11 hereof;

(3) Notes in lieu of which, or in substitution for which, other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.07 hereof; and

(4) Notes paid or redeemed pursuant to Article 3 hereof.

Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

Paying Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05 hereof.

Person” means a corporation, an association, a partnership, a limited liability company, an individual, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or a political subdivision thereof.

premium” means any premium payable under the terms of the Notes.

Primary Treasury Dealer” means a primary U.S. Government securities dealer.

Prospectus” means the Issuer’s prospectus dated [______].

Quotation Agent” means the Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by the Issuer.

Redemption Date” means, with respect to any Note or portion thereof to be redeemed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof, the date fixed for such redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof and the provisions of any relevant Supplemental Indenture.

 

6


Redemption Price” means, with respect to any Note or portion thereof to be redeemed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof, the redemption price fixed for such redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof and the provisions of any relevant Supplemental Indenture.

Reference Treasury Dealer” means any one Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Issuer.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by Issuer, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such date of the notice of redemption.

Remaining Life” means the remaining term of the Debt Securities of such series to be redeemed, calculated as if the maturity date of such Debt Securities were the applicable par call date.

Responsible Officer” shall mean, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of or familiarity with the particular subject.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

Significant Subsidiary” means any subsidiary which is a “significant subsidiary” within the meaning of Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission as in effect on the date hereof.

Stated Maturity,” with respect to any Debt Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date established by or pursuant to a Supplemental Indenture or such Note as the fixed date on which the principal of such Note or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock or other equity interest entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof) and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or managing general partner of which is such Person or a subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

 

7


Supplemental Indenture” has the meaning specified in Section 9.01 hereof.

Total Assets” as of any date means the sum of (1) Issuer’s and all of its Subsidiaries’ Undepreciated Real Estate Assets and (2) all of Issuer’s and all of its Subsidiaries’ other assets determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (but excluding intangibles).

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as it was in force at the date of this Indenture; provided, that if the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after the date hereof, the term “Trust Indenture Act” shall mean, to the extent required by such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

Trustee” means U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, and its successors and any corporation resulting from or surviving any consolidation or merger to which it or its successors may be a party and any successor trustee at the time serving as successor trustee hereunder.

Undepreciated Real Estate Assets” as of any date means the cost (original cost plus capital improvements) of Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ real estate assets, right of use assets associated with a financing lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles on such date, before depreciation and amortization determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; provided that “Undepreciated Real Estate Assets” will not include the right of use assets associated with an operating lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Unencumbered Total Asset Value” as of any date means the sum of (1) those Undepreciated Real Estate Assets not encumbered by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or security interest and (2) all of Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ other assets on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (but excluding intangibles), in each case which are unencumbered by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or security interest; provided, however, that, in determining Unencumbered Total Asset Value for purposes of Section 4.09(d) hereof, all investments by the Issuer and any of its Subsidiaries in unconsolidated joint ventures, unconsolidated limited partnerships, unconsolidated limited liability companies and other unconsolidated entities accounted for financial reporting purposes using the equity method of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles shall be excluded from Unencumbered Total Asset Value.

U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.

ARTICLE 2

FORMS GENERALLY AND DATING; ISSUABLE IN SERIES; REGISTRATION AND

EXCHANGE OF NOTES

Section 2.01. Forms Generally and Dating. The Debt Securities of each series shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, or established from time to time by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or in one or more Supplemental Indentures. The Debt Securities and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or by

 

8


a resolution of the Board of Directors and may have such notations, legends or endorsements as the Issuer may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture or as may be required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. If the form of Debt Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Authentication Order or the authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities.

Each Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The form of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by the Debt Securities shall be substantially as follows:

[FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE]

This is one of the Debt Securities of the series referred to on the reverse hereof.

 

                                                                                        ,

as Trustee
By:  

 

 
 
  Authorized Signatory
  Dated:

Section 2.02. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to one or more resolutions of the Board of Directors, or established in or pursuant to one or more Supplemental Indentures, prior to the issuance of the Debt Securities of any series the terms and conditions of such Debt Securities as set forth in such Supplemental Indenture.

All Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such resolution of the Board of Directors or in any such Supplemental Indenture. Not all Debt Securities of any one series need be issued at the same time, and, unless otherwise so provided, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Debt Securities of such series.

If any of the terms of the Debt Securities of a series are established by action taken pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the Debt Securities of such series. With respect to Debt Securities of a series which are not to be issued at one time, such resolution of the Board of Directors or action may provide general terms or parameters for Debt Securities of such series and provide either that the specific terms of particular Debt Securities of such series shall be specified in a Authentication Order or that such terms shall be determined by the Issuer or its agents in accordance with a Authentication Order .

 

9


Section 2.03. Reserved.

Section 2.04. Execution of Notes. The Debt Securities shall be signed, in the name and on behalf of the Issuer, manually or by facsimile or other electronic imaging means by an Officer of the Issuer. The Trustee will, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, manually authenticate Debt Securities for issue under this Indenture. The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of such series outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities authorized for issuance by the Issuer pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.08 hereof.

In case any Officer of the Issuer who shall have signed any of the Notes shall cease to be such Officer of the Issuer before the Notes so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Issuer, such Notes nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Notes had not ceased to be such Officer of the Issuer, and any Note may be signed on behalf of the Issuer by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Note, shall be the proper Officers of the Issuer, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such an Officer of the Issuer.

Section 2.05. Note Registrar and Paying Agent. The Issuer will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Note Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Note Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange (the “Note Register”). The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Note Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Note Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuer will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuer fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Note Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Note Registrar.

The Issuer initially appoints the DTC to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Debt Securities.

The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Note Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Debt Securities.

The Issuer will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or its Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuer, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

 

10


Section 2.06. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer.

(a) Transfer of Debt Securities. The transfer of any series of Debt Securities may be registered by the registered owner thereof, in person or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, at the office or agency of the Issuer to be maintained by it as provided in Section 4.02, by delivering such Debt Security for cancellation, accompanied by delivery of a duly executed instrument of transfer, in form approved by the Issuer and satisfactory to the Trustee or its designee, and thereupon the Issuer shall execute in the name of the transferee or transferees, and the Trustee or the authenticating agent shall authenticate and deliver, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series and of like form for the same aggregate principal amount.

(b) Global Debt Securities Legend. Each Global Debt Security will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS GLOBAL DEBT SECURITY IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL DEBT SECURITY MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(A) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL DEBT SECURITY MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.09 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL DEBT SECURITY MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

 

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(c) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Debt Securities. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Debt Security have been exchanged for Debt Securities or a particular Debt Security has been redeemed or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Debt Security will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.09 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Debt Security is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Debt Security the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Debt Security will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Debt Security by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Debt Security, such other Global Debt Security will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Debt Security by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

Section 2.07. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes. In case any Note shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer in its discretion may execute, and upon its written request the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, a new Note, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Note, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Note so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case, the applicant for a substituted Note shall furnish to the Issuer, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.

Following receipt by the Trustee or such authenticating agent, as the case may be, of satisfactory security or indemnity and evidence, as described in the preceding paragraph, the Trustee or such authenticating agent may authenticate any such substituted Note and make available for delivery such Note. Upon the issuance of any substituted Note, the Issuer may require the payment by the Holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Note which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption, as the case may be, shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer may, instead of issuing a substitute Note, pay or authorize the payment of, as the case may be, if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Issuer, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or in connection with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer, the Trustee and, if applicable, any Paying Agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.

 

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Every substitute Note issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.07 by virtue of the fact that any Note is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder. To the extent permitted by law, all Notes shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment or exchange or redemption of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment or redemption of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

Section 2.08. Temporary Notes. Pending the preparation of Notes in certificated form, the Issuer may execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall, upon the written request of the Issuer, authenticate and deliver temporary Notes (printed or lithographed). Temporary Notes shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the Notes in certificated form, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Notes, all as may be determined by the Issuer. Every such temporary Note shall be executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee or such authenticating agent upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the Notes in certificated form. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer will execute and deliver to the Trustee or such authenticating agent Notes in certificated form and thereupon any or all temporary Notes may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at each office or agency maintained by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof and the Trustee or such authenticating agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange for such temporary Notes an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes in certificated form. Such exchange shall be made by the Issuer at its own expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same limitations under this Indenture as Notes in certificated form authenticated and delivered hereunder.

Section 2.09. Cancellation of Notes. All Notes surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption or registration of transfer shall, if surrendered to the Issuer or any Paying Agent, which shall initially be the Trustee, or any Note Registrar, be surrendered to the Trustee and promptly canceled by it or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be promptly canceled by it and no Notes shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of such canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures, with copies of such cancelled Notes and related documentation provided to the Issuer. If the Issuer shall acquire any of the Notes, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.10. CUSIP Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Debt Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

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ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION OF NOTES

Section 3.01. Optional Redemption of Notes.

(a) The Issuer may, with respect to any Series of Notes, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Notes or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Notes or any part thereof prior to the applicable maturity date thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Notes. If a Series of Notes is redeemable and the Issuer wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the applicable maturity date thereof all or part of the Series of Notes pursuant to the terms of such Notes, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date and the principal amount of the Series of Notes to be redeemed. The Issuer shall give the notice at least 15 days before the Redemption Date (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Trustee).

(b) The Issuer shall not redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.01(a) hereof on any date if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated, and such an acceleration has not been rescinded or cured on or prior to such date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a default by the Issuer in the payment of the Redemption Price with respect to the Notes to be redeemed).

Section 3.02. Notice of Optional Redemption; Selection of Notes. In case the Issuer shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Notes pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof, it shall fix a date for redemption and it or, at its written request received by the Trustee not fewer than five (5) Business Days prior (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee) to the date the notice of redemption is to be mailed (or sent by electronic transmission), the Trustee in the name of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall mail (or send by electronic transmission) or cause to be mailed (or sent by electronic transmission) a notice of such redemption not fewer than fifteen (15) calendar days nor more than sixty (60) calendar days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes so to be redeemed in whole or in part at its last address as the same appears on the Note Register; provided, that if the Issuer makes such request of the Trustee, it shall, together with such request, also give written notice of the Redemption Date to the Trustee; provided further that the text of the notice shall be prepared by the Issuer. Such mailing shall be by first class mail (unless sent by electronic transmission). The notice, if mailed in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note.

Each such notice of redemption shall specify: (i) the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; (ii) the CUSIP number or numbers, if any, of the Notes being redeemed; (iii) the Redemption Date (which shall be a Business Day); (iv) the Redemption Price at which Notes are to be redeemed; (v) the place or places of payment and that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Notes; and (vi) that interest accrued and unpaid to, but excluding, the Redemption Date will be paid as specified in said notice, and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portion thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. If fewer than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including CUSIP numbers, if any). In case any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that, on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

 

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Whenever any Notes are to be redeemed, the Issuer will give the Trustee written notice of the Redemption Date, together with an Officers’ Certificate as to the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed not fewer than fifteen (15) calendar days (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the Redemption Date.

On or prior to the Redemption Date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section 3.02, the Issuer will deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 4.04 hereof) an amount of monies in immediately available funds sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date all the Notes (or portions thereof) so called for redemption at the appropriate Redemption Price; provided, that if such payment is made on the Redemption Date, it must be received by the Paying Agent, by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date. The Issuer shall be entitled to retain any interest, yield or gain on amounts deposited with the Paying Agent pursuant to this Section 3.02 in excess of amounts required hereunder to pay the Redemption Price.

If less than all of the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Notes or portions thereof of the Global Debt Security or the Notes in certificated form to be redeemed (in principal amounts of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof), on a pro rata basis or such other method the Trustee deems fair and appropriate or is required by the Depositary. The Notes (or portions thereof) so selected for redemption shall be deemed duly selected for redemption for all purposes hereof.

Section 3.03. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption by the Issuer. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 3.02 hereof, the Notes or portion of Notes with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the place or places stated in such notice at the Redemption Price, and unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Notes at the Redemption Price, so long as Paying Agent holds funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Notes to be redeemed on the Redemption Date, then (a) such Notes will cease to be outstanding on and after the Redemption Date, (b) interest on the Notes or portion of Notes so called for redemption shall cease to accrue on and after the Redemption Date, (c) after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price) and, except as provided in Sections 7.05 and 11.02 hereof, such Notes will cease to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and (d) the Holders of the Notes shall have no right in respect of such Notes except the right to receive the Redemption Price thereof. On presentation and surrender of such Notes at a place of payment in said notice specified, the said Notes or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the Redemption Price, together with interest accrued thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

 

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Upon presentation of any Note redeemed in part only, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Note or Notes, of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Notes so presented.

ARTICLE 4

CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

Section 4.01. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. The Issuer covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid when due the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), and premium, if any, and interest on each of the Global Debt Securities at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the applicable Supplemental Indenture and Notes; provided, that the Issuer or Paying Agent may withhold from payments of interest and upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof, maturity or otherwise, any amounts the Issuer or Paying Agent is required to withhold by law.

Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Issuer will maintain an office or agency, where the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or redemption and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. As of the date of this Indenture, such office shall be the Corporate Trust Office and, at any other time, at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Issuer. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency not designated or appointed by the Trustee. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office; provided, however, that the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee shall not be an office or agency of the Issuer for the purpose of effective service of legal process on the Issuer.

The Issuer may also from time to time designate co-registrars and one or more offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Issuer hereby initially designates the Trustee as Paying Agent, Note Registrar and Custodian, and the Corporate Trust Office shall be considered as one such office or agency of the Issuer for each of the aforesaid purposes.

So long as the Trustee is the Note Registrar, the Trustee agrees to mail (or send by electronic transmission), or cause to be mailed, the notices set forth in Section 7.10 and the third paragraph of Section 7.11 hereof. If co-registrars have been appointed in accordance with this Section 4.02, the Trustee shall mail such notices only to the Issuer and the Holders of Notes it can identify from its records.

Section 4.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustees Office. The Issuer, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as provided in Section 7.10 hereof, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

 

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Section 4.04. Provisions as to Paying Agent.

(a) If the Issuer shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, or if the Trustee shall appoint such a Paying Agent, the Issuer will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.04:

 

  (1)

that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Notes (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Notes) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes;

 

  (2)

that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Notes) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Notes when the same shall be due and payable; and

 

  (3)

that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust.

The Issuer shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum (in funds which are immediately available on the due date for such payment) sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action; provided, that if such deposit is made on the due date, such deposit shall be received by the Paying Agent by 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on such date.

(b) If the Issuer shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and interest so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Issuer (or any other obligor under the Notes) to make any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes when the same shall become due and payable.

(c) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Issuer may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Issuer or any Paying Agent hereunder as required by this Section 4.04, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment by the Issuer or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Issuer or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

(d) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 4.04 is subject to Sections 11.02 and 11.03 hereof.

The Trustee shall not be responsible for the actions of any other Paying Agents (including the Issuer if acting as its own Paying Agent) and shall have no control of any funds held by such other Paying Agents.

 

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Section 4.05. Existence. Subject to Article 10 hereof, the Issuer will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and rights (charter and statutory); provided, that the Issuer shall not be required to preserve any such right if the Issuer shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

Section 4.06. Reports.

(a) Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuer will furnish to the Trustee:

 

  (1)

all quarterly and annual reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Issuer were required to file such reports; and

 

  (2)

all current reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Issuer were required to file such reports,

in each case within fifteen (15) days after the Issuer files such reports with the Commission or would be required to file such reports with the Commission pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, whichever is earlier. Reports, information and documents filed with the Commission via the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”) will be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time of such filing via EDGAR for purposes of this covenant; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been filed via EDGAR.

Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under this Section 4.06 is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive or actual notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of the covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports. Each annual report on Form 10-K will include a report on the Issuer’s consolidated financial statements by its independent registered public accounting firm, unless otherwise permitted by the Commission. The Issuer will file a copy of each of the reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the Commission for public availability within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations applicable to such reports (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) and will make the reports available on its website within fifteen (15) days after it files such reports with the Commission.

If the Issuer is no longer subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the Issuer will nevertheless continue filing the reports specified in clauses (1) and (2) above with the Commission within the time periods specified above unless the Commission will not accept such a filing. The Issuer will not take any action for the purpose of causing the Commission not to accept any such filings. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commission will not accept the Issuer’s filings for any reason, the Issuer will make the reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above available on its website within fifteen (15) days after the Issuer would be required to file such reports with the Commission.

 

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(b) For so long as any Notes remain outstanding, if at any time it is not required to file with the Commission the reports required by paragraphs (a) of this Section 4.06, the Issuer will furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

Section 4.07. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Issuer covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law or other law which would prohibit or forgive the Issuer from paying all or any portion of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture and the Issuer (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

Section 4.08. Compliance Certificate. Within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the end of each fiscal year of the Issuer, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate signed by any of the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Issuer stating whether or not the signer has knowledge of any Default under this Indenture, and, if so, specifying each Default and the nature and the status thereof.

The Issuer will deliver to the Trustee, within thirty (30) calendar days of becoming aware of (i) any default in the performance or observance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Indenture, or (ii) any Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying with particularity such Default or Event of Default and further stating what action the Issuer has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Any notice required to be given under this Section 4.08 shall be delivered to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 4.09. Limitations on Incurrence of Debt.

(a) Limitation on Total Outstanding Debt. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt other than Intercompany Debt and guarantees of Debt incurred by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries in compliance with this Indenture, if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all of the Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ outstanding Debt on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is greater than 60% of the sum of (without duplication) (1) Total Assets as of the end of the Issuer’s most recently completed fiscal quarter prior to the incurrence of such additional Debt and (2) the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Debt), by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries since the end of such calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional Debt.

 

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(b) Limitation on Secured Debt. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt, other than Intercompany Debt and guarantees of Debt incurred by Issuer or its Subsidiaries in compliance with this Indenture, secured by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge, encumbrance or security interest of any kind upon any of Issuer’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ property if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all of Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ outstanding Debt on a consolidated basis which is secured by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge, encumbrance or security interest on Issuer’s or its Subsidiaries’ property is greater than 40% of the sum of (without duplication) (1) Total Assets as of the end of the Issuer’s most recently completed fiscal quarter prior to the incurrence of such additional Debt and (2) the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Debt), by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries since the end of such calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional Debt; provided, that for purposes of this limitation, the amount of obligations under capital leases shown as a liability on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet shall be deducted from Debt and from Total Assets.

(c) Ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service to the Annual Debt Service Charge. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt, other than Intercompany Debt and guarantees of Debt by Issuer or its Subsidiaries in compliance with this Indenture, if the ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service to the Annual Debt Service Charge for the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended prior to the date on which such additional Debt is to be incurred shall have been less than 1.5 to 1.0, on an unaudited pro forma basis after giving effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, and calculated on the assumption that: (1) such Debt and any other Debt incurred by Issuer and its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period and the application of the proceeds therefrom, including to refinance other Debt, had occurred at the beginning of such period; (2) the repayment or retirement of any other Debt by Issuer and its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period had been repaid or retired at the beginning of such period (except that, in making such computation, the amount of Debt under any revolving credit facility shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Debt during such period); (3) in the case of Acquired Debt or Debt incurred in connection with any acquisition since the first day of such four-quarter period, the related acquisition had occurred as of the first day of such period, with the appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition being included in such unaudited pro forma calculation; and (4) in the case of any acquisition or disposition by Issuer or its Subsidiaries of any asset or group of assets or other placement of any assets in service or removal of any assets from service by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period, whether by merger, stock purchase or sale, or asset purchase or sale, such acquisition, disposition, placement in service or removal from service, or any related repayment of Debt had occurred as of the first day of such period, with the appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition, disposition, placement in service or removal from service, being included in such unaudited pro forma calculation.

 

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(d) Maintenance of Unencumbered Total Asset Value. The Issuer, together with its Subsidiaries, will at all times maintain an Unencumbered Total Asset Value in an amount not less than 150% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ unsecured Debt, taken as a whole.

Section 4.10. Insurance. The Issuer will, and will cause of each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain insurance with financially sound and reputable insurance companies against such risks and in such amounts as is customarily maintained by Persons engaged in similar businesses or as may be required by applicable law.

ARTICLE 5

NOTEHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE

Section 5.01. Noteholders Lists. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Supplemental Indenture, the Issuer covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee, semiannually, not more than fifteen (15) calendar days after each April 1 and October 1 of each year beginning with October 1, 2022, and at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Issuer of any such request (or such lesser time as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to enable it to timely provide any notice to be provided by it hereunder), a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes as of a date not more than fifteen (15) calendar days (or such other date as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to so provide any such notices) prior to the time such information is furnished, except that no such list need be furnished by the Issuer to the Trustee so long as the Trustee is acting as the sole Note Registrar.

Section 5.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists.

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 hereof or maintained by the Trustee in its capacity as Note Registrar or co-registrar in respect of the Notes, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 hereof upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b) The rights of Noteholders to communicate with other Holders of Notes with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Notes, and the corresponding rights and duties of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.

(c) Every Noteholder agrees with the Issuer and the Trustee that neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders of Notes made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.

 

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Section 5.03. Reports by Trustee.

(a) On or before May 15 of each year beginning with May 15, 2023, the Trustee shall transmit to Holders of Notes such reports dated as of May 15 of the year in which such reports are made concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. In the event that no events have occurred under the applicable Sections of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall be under no duty or obligation to provide such reports.

(b) A copy of such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders of Notes, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange and automated quotation system, if any, upon which the Notes are listed and with the Issuer. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing if the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or automated quotation system or delisted therefrom.

ARTICLE 6

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS ON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 6.01. Events of Default. In case one or more of the following (each an “Event of Default”) (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body) shall have occurred and be continuing:

(a) default for thirty (30) days in the payment of any installment of interest under the Debt Securities of such series; or

(b) default in the payment of the principal amount or Redemption Price due with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, when the same becomes due and payable; provided, however, that a valid extension of the applicable maturity date in accordance with the terms hereof shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal; or

(c) the Issuer fails to comply with any of the Issuer’s other agreements contained in the Debt Securities of such series or this Indenture upon receipt by the Issuer of notice of such default by the Trustee or by Holders of not less than twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding and the Issuer fails to cure (or obtain a waiver of) such default within sixty (60) days after the Issuer receives such notice; or

(d) failure to pay any indebtedness for monies borrowed by the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer in an outstanding principal amount in excess of $50,000,000 at final maturity or upon acceleration after the expiration of any applicable grace period, which indebtedness is not discharged, or such default in payment or acceleration is not cured or rescinded, within thirty (30) days after written notice to the Issuer from the Trustee (or to the Issuer and the Trustee from Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series); provided, however, that for the purposes of this Section 6.01(d), $50,000,000 shall be replaced by $35,000,000 for so long as any of the Issuer’s 3.50% Senior Notes Due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) are outstanding; or

 

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(e) the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer pursuant to or under or within meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences a voluntary case or proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or its debts or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer; or

(ii) consents to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer; or

(iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

(f) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of thirty (30) calendar days; or

(g) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer in an involuntary case or proceeding; or

(ii) appoints a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer; or

(iii) orders the liquidation of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer;

and, in each case in this clause (g), the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for thirty (30) calendar days,

then, in each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), 6.01(f) or 6.01(g) hereof with respect to the Issuer), unless the principal of all of the Debt Securities of such series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding, by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal amount of and premium, if any, and interest accrued and unpaid on all the Debt Securities of such series to be immediately due and payable, and upon any such declaration the same shall be immediately due and payable.

 

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If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), 6.01(f) or 6.01(g) hereof occurs with respect to the Issuer, the principal amount of and premium, if any, and interest accrued and unpaid on all the Debt Securities of such series shall be immediately and automatically due and payable without necessity of further action.

If, at any time after the principal amount of and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities of such series shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the monies due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding on behalf of the Holders of all of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding, by written notice to the Issuer and to the Trustee, may waive all Defaults or Events of Default and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, subject in all respects to Section 6.07 hereof, if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal amount and any accrued and unpaid interest that have become due solely because of such acceleration, have been cured or waived. No such rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent Default or Event of Default, or shall impair any right consequent thereon. The Issuer shall notify in writing a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, promptly upon becoming aware thereof, of any Event of Default, as provided in Section 4.08 hereof.

In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such waiver or rescission and annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Issuer, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Issuer, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

Section 6.02. Payments of Debt Securities on Default; Suit Therefor. The Issuer covenants that in the case of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) hereof, upon demand of the Trustee, the Issuer will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series, (i) the whole amount that then shall be due and payable on all such Debt Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, or interest, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon the overdue installments of accrued and unpaid interest at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of such series, plus 1%, from the required payment date and, (ii) in addition thereto, any amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof. Until such demand by the Trustee, the Issuer may pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities of such series to the registered Holders, whether or not the Debt Securities of such series are overdue.

In case the Issuer shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Issuer or any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuer or any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series wherever situated the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable.

 

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In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Issuer or any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series under any Bankruptcy Law, or any other applicable law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Issuer or such other obligor, the property of the Issuer or such other obligor, or in the case of any other judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or such other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Debt Securities of such series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.02, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, accrued and unpaid interest in respect of the Debt Securities of such series, and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series, its or their creditors, or its or their property, and to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of any amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof, and to take any other action with respect to such claims, including participating as a member of any official committee of creditors, as it reasonably deems necessary or advisable, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, custodian or similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Holders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements, including counsel fees and expenses incurred by it up to the date of such distribution. To the extent that such payment of reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements out of the estate in any such proceedings shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, monies, securities and other property which the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series may be entitled to receive in such proceedings, whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debt Securities of such series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Debt Securities of such series, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series.

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and in any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series, and it shall not be necessary to make any Holders of the Debt Securities of such series parties to any such proceedings.

 

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Section 6.03. Application of Monies Collected by Trustee. Any monies collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 6, shall be applied, in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such monies, upon presentation of the Debt Securities of such series, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof;

SECOND: In case the principal of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such Debt Securities in which an Event of Default exists in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) as provided in Section 6.02 hereof upon the overdue installments of interest at the annual rate of 1% above then applicable interest rate, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto;

THIRD: In case the principal of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, and be unpaid to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon such Debt Securities for principal and premium, if any, and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of accrued and unpaid interest, as provided in Section 6.02 hereof, and in case such monies shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon such Debt Securities, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Note over any other Note, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest; and

FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Issuer or any other Person lawfully entitled thereto.

Section 6.04. Proceedings by Holders. No Holder of any Note shall have any right by virtue of or by reference to any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator, custodian or other similar official, or for any other remedy hereunder, except in the case of a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities of such series, unless (a) such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided, (b) the Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such security or indemnity as it may require against the costs, liabilities or expenses to be incurred therein or thereby, (c) the Trustee for ninety (90) calendar days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of security or indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and (d) no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof; it being understood and intended, and being expressly

 

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covenanted by the taker and Holder of every Debt Security with every other taker and Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders of Debt Securities shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of or by reference to any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holder of Debt Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders of Debt Securities (except as otherwise provided herein). For the protection and enforcement of this Section 6.04, each and every Noteholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture and any provision of any Debt Security, the right of any Holder of any Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof) and premium, if any, and accrued interest on such Debt Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt Security or in the event of redemption, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates against the Issuer shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.05. Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default, the Trustee may, in its discretion, proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as are necessary to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

Section 6.06. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing. All powers and remedies given by this Article 6 to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any of the Debt Securities of such series to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or any acquiescence therein, and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.04 hereof, every power and remedy given by this Article 6 or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.

Section 6.07. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided, that (a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, (b) the Trustee may take any other action which is not inconsistent with such direction, (c) the Trustee may decline to take any action that would benefit some Holders to the detriment of other Holders or otherwise be unduly prejudicial to the Holders not joining therein and (d) the Trustee may decline to take any action that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any such action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

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The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time outstanding may, on behalf of the Holders of all of such Debt Securities, waive any past Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except (i) a default in the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), premium, if any, or interest on such Debt Securities, unless such default has been cured and the Issuer has deposited with the Trustee all required payments of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debt Securities (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities then outstanding may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration) or (ii) a default in respect of a covenant or provisions hereof which under Article 9 hereof cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holders of all such Debt Securities then outstanding or each such Debt Security affected thereby.

Upon any such waiver, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 6.07, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.08. Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within sixty (60) calendar days after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of the occurrence of a Default, mail (or send by electronic transmission) to all Holders, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear upon the Note Register, notice of all Defaults known to a Responsible Officer, unless such Defaults shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided, that except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), or interest on any of the Debt Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Trustee determines in good faith that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders.

Section 6.09. Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Note by its acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may, in its discretion, require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided, that the provisions of this Section 6.09 (to the extent permitted by law) shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Issuer, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Noteholder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than ten percent (10%) in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04 hereof, or to any suit instituted by any Noteholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), or interest on any Note on or after the due date expressed in such Note.

 

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ARTICLE 7

THE TRUSTEE

Section 7.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiver of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of its own affairs.

No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred:

(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith and willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;

(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the written direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time outstanding determined as provided in Section 8.04 hereof relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture;

 

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(d) whether or not therein provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 8.04;

(e) the Trustee shall not be liable in respect of any payment (as to the correctness of amount, entitlement to receive or any other matters relating to payment) or notice effected by the Issuer or any Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) or any records maintained by any co-registrar (other than the Trustee) with respect to the Debt Securities of such series;

(f) if any party fails to deliver a notice relating to an event the fact of which, pursuant to this Indenture, requires notice to be sent to the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely on its failure to receive such notice as reason to act as if no such event occurred unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless the Trustee has otherwise received written notice thereof; and

(g) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default hereunder unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless the Trustee shall have been notified in writing of such Event of Default by the Issuer or a Holder of Debt Securities of such series.

None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Except as explicitly specified otherwise herein, Issuer will be responsible for making all calculations required under this Indenture and the Debt Securities. Issuer will make such calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, Issuer’s calculations will be final and binding on Holders of the Debt Securities. Issuer will provide a schedule of its calculations to the Trustee, and the Trustee is entitled to rely upon the accuracy of Issuer’s calculations without independent verification. The Trustee will forward Issuer’s calculations to any Holder of the Debt Securities upon request.

Section 7.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01 hereof:

(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, Note, coupon or other paper or document (whether in its original, facsimile or electronic form) believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer;

 

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(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance on and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

(d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;

(e) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney;

(f) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed by it with due care hereunder;

(g) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(h) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;

(i) the Trustee may request that the Issuer deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;

(j) any permissive right or authority granted to the Trustee shall not be construed as a mandatory duty;

(k) the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for punitive, special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of actions; and

 

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(l) the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; and acts of civil or military authorities and governmental action.

Section 7.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, etc. The recitals contained herein and in the underlying Debt Securities (except in the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of any Debt Securities or the proceeds of any Debt Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

Section 7.04. Trustee, Paying Agents or Note Registrar May Own Debt Securities. The Trustee, any Paying Agent or Note Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent or Note Registrar.

Section 7.05. Monies to Be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02 hereof, all monies received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received. Monies held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any monies received by it hereunder except as may be agreed in writing from time to time by the Issuer and the Trustee.

Section 7.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. The Issuer covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in any capacity (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as mutually agreed to from time to time in writing between the Issuer and the Trustee, and the Issuer will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances reasonably incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence, willful misconduct, recklessness or bad faith. The Issuer also covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (or any officer, director or employee of the Trustee), in any capacity under this Indenture and any authenticating agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or reasonable expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence, willful misconduct, recklessness or bad faith on the part of the Trustee or such officers, directors, employees or authenticating agent, as the case may be, and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or in any other capacity hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer, any Holder or any other Person) of liability in the premises. The obligations of the Issuer under this Section 7.06 to compensate or indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Debt Securities of such series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular such Debt Securities. The obligation of the Issuer under this Section 7.06 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

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When the Trustee and its agents and any authenticating agent incur expenses or render services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), 6.01(f) or 6.01(g) hereof with respect to the Issuer occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute reasonable expenses of administration under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.

Section 7.07. Officers Certificate as Evidence. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01 hereof, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of gross negligence, bad faith, recklessness or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee.

Section 7.08. Conflicting Interests of Trustee. If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

Section 7.09. Eligibility of Trustee. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 (or if such Person is a member of a bank holding company system, its bank holding company shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000). If such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of any supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 7.09 the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.09, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 7.10. Resignation or Removal of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Issuer and to the Holders of Debt Securities. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment sixty (60) calendar days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the Holders, the resigning Trustee may, upon ten (10) Business Days’ notice to the Issuer and the Holders, appoint a successor identified in such notice or may petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or, if any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debt Security for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 6.09 hereof, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

 

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(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:

(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 7.08 hereof after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debt Security for at least six months; or

(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.09 hereof and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any such Noteholder; or

(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;

then, in any such case, the Issuer may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 6.09 hereof, any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debt Security for at least six months may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee; provided, that if no successor Trustee shall have been appointed and have accepted appointment sixty (60) calendar days after either the Issuer or the Holders has removed the Trustee, or the Trustee resigns, the Trustee so removed may petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

(c) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 7.10 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 7.11 hereof.

(d) Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.10, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.06 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

Section 7.11. Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 7.10 hereof shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Issuer and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Issuer or of the successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amount then due it pursuant to the

 

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provisions of Section 7.06 hereof, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to act. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Issuer shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property and funds held or collected by such trustee as such, except for funds held in trust for the benefit of Holders of particular Debt Securities, to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06 hereof.

No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 7.11 unless, at the time of such acceptance, such successor trustee shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 7.08 hereof and be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.09 hereof.

Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section 7.11, the Issuer (or the former trustee, at the written direction of the Issuer) shall mail (or send by electronic transmission) or cause to be mailed (or sent by electronic transmission) notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to the Holders of Debt Securities at their addresses as they shall appear on the Note Register. If the Issuer fails to mail such notice within ten (10) calendar days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Issuer.

Section 7.12. Succession by Merger. Any organization or entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or exchanged or with which it may be consolidated, or any organization or entity resulting from any merger, conversion, exchange or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any organization or entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor to the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided, that in the case of any organization or entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, such corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 7.08 hereof and eligible under the provisions of Section 7.09 hereof.

In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Debt Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or authenticating agent appointed by such predecessor trustee, and deliver such Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee or any authenticating agent appointed by such successor trustee may authenticate such Debt Securities in the name of the successor trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force that is provided in the Debt Securities or in this Indenture; provided, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Debt Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, exchange or consolidation.

Section 7.13. Preferential Collection of Claims. If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of the claims against the Issuer (or any such other obligor).

 

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ARTICLE 8

RESERVED

ARTICLE 9

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. The Issuer and the Trustee may, from time to time, and at any time enter into a supplemental indenture (a “Supplemental Indenture”) without the consent of the Holders of any series of Notes for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to evidence a successor to the Issuer as obligor;

(b) to add to the covenants of the Issuer for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer in this Indenture or in the Notes;

(c) to add Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes;

(d) to amend or supplement any provisions of this Indenture; provided, that no amendment or supplement shall materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of any Notes then outstanding;

(e) to secure the Notes;

(f) to provide for the acceptance of appointment of a successor Trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under this Indenture by more than one Trustee;

(g) to provide for rights of Holders of Notes if any consolidation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of property or assets of the Issuer occurs;

(h) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture; provided, that this action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Notes in any material respect;

(i) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture and the relevant Supplemental Indenture;

(j) to establish the form or terms of the Debt Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.02;

(k) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any of the Debt Securities; provided, that the action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any material respect; or

(l) to conform the text of this Indenture or the Debt Securities to any provision of the description thereof set forth in the Prospectus to the extent that such provision in the Prospectus was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision in this Indenture or the Debt Securities.

 

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Upon the written request of the Issuer, accompanied by a copy of the resolutions of the Issuer authorizing the execution of any Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer in the execution of any such Supplemental Indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any Supplemental Indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any Supplemental Indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.01 may be executed by the Issuer and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Notes at the time outstanding.

Section 9.02. Supplemental Indenture With Consent of Holders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 8 hereof) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of each series at the time outstanding, the Issuer and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into a Supplemental Indenture for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Notes; provided, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Note affected thereby:

(a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of or any installment of interest on the Notes, reduce the principal amount of, or the rate or amount of interest on, or any premium payable on redemption of, the Notes, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the Holder of the Notes, change the place of payment, or the coin or currency, for payment of principal of or interest on any Note or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the Notes;

(b) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes necessary to modify or amend this Indenture, to waive compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults and their consequences provided in this Indenture, or to reduce the requirements of quorum or change voting requirements set forth in this Indenture;

(c) modify or affect in any manner adverse to the Holders the terms and conditions of the obligations of the Issuer in respect of the due and punctual payments of principal and interest; or

(d) modify any of this Section 9.02 or 6.07 hereof or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of certain past Defaults or certain covenants, except to increase the required percentage to effect the action or to provide that certain other provisions may not be modified or waived without the consent of the Holders of the Notes.

Upon the written request of the Issuer, accompanied by a copy of the resolutions of the Issuer authorizing the execution of any Supplemental Indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Noteholders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

 

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It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Noteholders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed Supplemental Indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

Section 9.03. Effect of Supplemental Indenture. Any Supplemental Indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9 shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect, provided that this Section 9.03 shall not require such Supplemental Indenture or the Trustee to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act prior to the time, if ever, such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act or the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, nor shall it constitute any admission or acknowledgment by any party to such Supplemental Indenture that any such qualification is required prior to the time, if ever, such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act or the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. Upon the execution of any Supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of Notes shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder, subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions of any such Supplemental Indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

Section 9.04. Notation on Notes. Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any Supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9 may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such Supplemental Indenture. If the Issuer or the Trustee shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Issuer, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such Supplemental Indenture may, at the Issuer’s expense, be prepared and executed by the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee (or an authenticating agent duly appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 16.11 hereof) and delivered in exchange for the Notes then outstanding, upon surrender of such Notes then outstanding.

Section 9.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished to Trustee. Prior to entering into any Supplemental Indenture pursuant to this Article 9, the Trustee shall be provided with an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any Supplemental Indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article 9 and is otherwise authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

ARTICLE 10

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

Section 10.01. Issuer May Consolidate on Certain Terms. Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Issuer with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer), or successive consolidations or mergers in which either the Issuer will be the continuing entity or the Issuer or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property of the Issuer, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer); provided, however, that the following conditions are met:

 

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(a) the Issuer shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than the Issuer) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the transfer of assets shall be domiciled in the United States and shall expressly assume payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Notes and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture;

(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(c) either the Issuer or the successor Person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a Supplemental Indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such Supplemental Indenture comply with this Article 10 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

No such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease shall be permitted by this Section 10.01 unless prior thereto the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the Issuer’s obligations hereunder shall remain in full force and effect thereafter.

Section 10.02. Issuer Successor to Be Substituted. Upon any consolidation by the Issuer with or merger of the Issuer into any other Person or any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer to any Person in accordance with Section 10.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Issuer herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released and discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Notes thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 11.01. Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes herein expressly provided for and except as further provided below), and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when (a) either: (1) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 11.04 hereof and (ii) Notes for whose payment monies have theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuer as provided in Section 11.04 hereof) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (2) all such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable, whether at the

 

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applicable maturity date, or otherwise, or (ii) are to be called for redemption under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer, and the Issuer, in the case of clause (1) or (2) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee or a Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or any of its Affiliates), as applicable, as trust funds in trust cash in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes which have become due and payable) or to the applicable maturity date or Redemption Date, as the case may be; provided, however, that there shall not exist, on the date of such deposit, a Default or Event of Default; provided, further, that such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or to which the Issuer is bound; (b) the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer; and (c) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Issuer to the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof shall survive and, if monies shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (2) of clause (a) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Sections 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, and 5.01 hereof and this Article 11, shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full.

Section 11.02. Deposited Monies to Be Held in Trust by Trustee. Subject to Section 11.04 hereof, all monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.05 hereof shall be held in trust for the sole benefit of the Holders, and such monies shall be applied by the Trustee to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer if acting as its own Paying Agent), to the Holders of the particular Notes for the payment or redemption of which such monies have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal, premium, if any, and interest. The Trustee is not responsible to anyone for interest on any deposited funds except as agreed in writing.

Section 11.03. Paying Agent to Repay Monies Held. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.04 hereof, the Trustee or a Paying Agent shall hold in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, all monies deposited with it pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof and shall apply the deposited monies in accordance with this Indenture and the Notes to the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof) and interest on the Notes.

Section 11.04. Return of Unclaimed Monies. The Trustee and each Paying Agent shall pay to the Issuer upon request any monies held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years after a right to such monies have matured; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such payment, may, at the expense of the Issuer, either publish in a newspaper of general circulation in The City of New York, or cause to be mailed (or sent by electronic transmission) to each Holder entitled to such monies, notice that such monies remain unclaimed and that after a date specified therein, which shall be at least thirty (30) calendar days from the date of such mailing or publication, any unclaimed balance of such monies then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer. After payment to the Issuer, Holders entitled to monies must look to the Issuer for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person, and the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall be relieved of all liability with respect to such monies.

 

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Section 11.05. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any monies in accordance with Section 11.02 hereof by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such monies in accordance with Section 11.02 hereof; provided, that if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the monies held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 12

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 12.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 12.

Section 12.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 12.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 12.02, the Issuer will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Debt represented by the outstanding Notes, which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 12.05 hereof and the other sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium on, such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 12.04 hereof;

(b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuer’s obligations in connection therewith; and

(d) this Article 12.

Subject to compliance with this Article 12, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 12.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 12.03 hereof.

 

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Section 12.03. Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 12.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 12.03, the Issuer will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.09, 4.10 and 4.11 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 12.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Issuer may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 12.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 12.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(c) and 6.01(d) hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

Section 12.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof:

(a) the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium and interest on, the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be, and the Issuer must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular Redemption Date;

(b) in the case of an election under Section 12.02 hereof, the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that:

(1) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(2) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

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(c) in the case of an election under Section 12.03 hereof, the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced), and the granting of liens to secure such borrowings);

(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture and the agreements governing any other indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) to which the Issuer is a party or by which the Issuer is bound;

(f) the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuer with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Issuer with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuer or others; and

(g) the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

Section 12.05. Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 12.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 12.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 12.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Issuer will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 12.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 12 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the request of the Issuer any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 12.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 12.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

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Section 12.06. Repayment to Issuer.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its request or (if then held by the Issuer) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Issuer cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer.

Section 12.07. Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium or interest on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 13

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 13.01. Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations. No recourse for the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof) or, premium, if any, or interest on any Global Debt Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer in this Indenture or in any Supplemental Indenture or in any Global Debt Security or Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, limited partner, member, manager, employee, agent, officer, director or Subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries or of any successor thereto, either directly or through the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries or any successor thereto, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Global Debt Securities.

 

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ARTICLE 14

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF NOTES

Section 14.01. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called. A meeting of Holders of Notes may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article 14 to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other act provided by this Indenture or a Supplemental Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Notes.

Section 14.02. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Notes of a series for any purpose specified in Section 14.01 hereof, to be held at such time and at such place in The City of New York, New York as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Notes, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 16.03 hereof, not less than twenty-one (21) nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

(b) In case at any time the Issuer or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Notes of such series for any purpose specified in Section 14.01 hereof, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed notice of or made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within twenty-one (21) days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Issuer or the Holders of Notes in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the City of New York, New York, for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in clause (a) of this Section 14.02.

Section 14.03. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Notes of a series, a Person shall be (a) a Holder of one or more outstanding Notes, or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more outstanding Notes by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Notes shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Issuer and its counsel.

Section 14.04. Quorum; Action. The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of such Notes; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at the meeting with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which may be made, given or taken by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, the Persons holding or representing the specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes will constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum

 

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within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Notes, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than ten (10) days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than ten (10) days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 14.02 hereof, except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the outstanding Notes which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.02 hereof, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.02 hereof, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Notes duly held in accordance with this Section 14.04 shall be binding on all the Holders of Notes, whether or not such Holders were present or represented at the meeting.

Section 14.05. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Notes in regard to proof of the holding of Notes and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Notes shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 8.03 hereof and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 8.01 hereof.

(a) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Issuer or by Holders of Notes as provided in Section 14.02(b) hereof, in which case the Issuer or the Holders of Notes calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of such series represented at the meeting.

(b) At any meeting, each Holder of a Note or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $2,000 principal amount of Notes held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Note challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Note or proxy.

 

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(c) Any meeting of Holders of Notes duly called pursuant to Section 14.02 hereof at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 14.06. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Notes shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Notes or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the outstanding Notes held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in triplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Notes shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 14.02 hereof and, if applicable, Section 14.04 hereof. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Issuer, and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

ARTICLE 15

RESERVED

ARTICLE 16

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 16.01. Provisions Binding on Issuers Successors. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements by the Issuer contained in this Indenture shall bind their respective successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

Section 16.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Issuer shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any Person that shall at the time be the lawful sole successor of the Issuer.

Section 16.03. Addresses for Notices, etc. Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders of Notes on the Issuer shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box, or sent by overnight courier, or sent by telecopier transmission addressed as follows:

 

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To the Issuer:

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

3310 West End Avenue, Suite 700

Nashville, TN 37203

Telecopier No.: (615) 463-7739

Attention: Mr. Todd J. Meredith, President and Chief Executive

cc: Mr. J. Christopher Douglas, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Any notice, direction, request or demand hereunder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited, postage prepaid, by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box, or sent by overnight courier, or sent by telecopier transmission addressed as follows:

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association

Global Corporate Trust Services

101 North First Avenue, Suite 1600

Mailstop LM-AZ-16P

Phoenix, Arizona 85003

Telecopier No.: (602) 257-5433

Attention:

The Trustee, by notice to the Issuer, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

Any notice or communication mailed to a Noteholder shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at such Noteholder’s address as it appears on the Note Register and shall be sufficiently given to such Noteholder if so mailed within the time prescribed.

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Noteholder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

Section 16.04. Governing Law. This Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any laws other than the laws of the State of New York.

Section 16.05. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent, Certificates to Trustee. Upon any application or demand by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with, and, if requested by the Trustee, an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

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Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include: (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in such certificate or opinion is based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, such person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials.

Section 16.06. Legal Holidays. In any case in which the Stated Maturity of interest on or principal of the Notes or the Redemption Date of any Note will not be a Business Day, then payment of such interest on or principal of the Notes need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Stated Maturity or the Redemption Date, and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such date.

Section 16.07. Trust Indenture Act. This Indenture is hereby made subject to, and shall be governed by, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act required to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; provided, that this Section 16.07 shall not require this Indenture or the Trustee to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act prior to the time such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act, nor shall it constitute any admission or acknowledgment by any party to the Indenture that any such qualification is required prior to the time such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included in an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.

Section 16.08. No Security Interest Created. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction in which property of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries is located.

Section 16.09. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any authenticating agent, any Note Registrar and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Notes any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 16.10. Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 16.11. Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent that shall be authorized to act on its behalf, and subject to its direction, in the authentication and delivery of Notes in connection with the original issuance thereof and transfers and exchanges of Notes hereunder, including under Sections 2.04, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08 and 3.03 hereof, as fully to all intents and purposes as though the authenticating agent had been expressly authorized by this Indenture and those Sections to authenticate and deliver Notes. For all purposes of this

 

49


Indenture, the authentication and delivery of Notes by the authenticating agent shall be deemed to be authentication and delivery of such Notes “by the Trustee” and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an authenticating agent shall be deemed to satisfy any requirement hereunder or in the Notes for the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. Such authenticating agent shall at all times be a Person eligible to serve as trustee hereunder pursuant to Section 7.09 hereof.

Any corporation into which any authenticating agent may be merged or exchanged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation or exchange to which any authenticating agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of any authenticating agent, shall be the successor of the authenticating agent hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 16.11, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or the authenticating agent or such successor corporation.

Any authenticating agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Issuer. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any authenticating agent by giving written notice of termination to such authenticating agent and to the Issuer. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any authenticating agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 16.11, the Trustee shall either promptly appoint a successor authenticating agent or itself assume the duties and obligations of the former authenticating agent under this Indenture and, upon such appointment of a successor authenticating agent, if made, shall give written notice of such appointment of a successor authenticating agent to the Issuer and shall mail notice of such appointment of a successor authenticating agent to all Holders of Notes as the names and addresses of such Holders appear on the Note Register.

The Issuer agrees to pay to the authenticating agent from time to time such reasonable compensation for its services as shall be agreed upon in writing between the Issuer and the authenticating agent.

The provisions of Sections 7.02, 7.03, 7.04 and 8.03 hereof and this Section 16.11 shall be applicable to any authenticating agent.

Section 16.12. Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Indenture by facsimile or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Indenture.

The Trustee shall not have any duty to confirm that the person sending any notice, instruction or other communication by electronic transmission (including by e-mail, facsimile transmission, web portal or other electronic methods) is, in fact, a person authorized to do so. Electronic signatures believed by the Trustee to comply with the ESIGN Act of 2000 or other applicable law (including electronic images of handwritten signatures and digital signatures provided by DocuSign, Orbit, Adobe Sign or any other digital signature provider acceptable to the Trustee) shall be deemed original signatures for all purposes. The Issuer assumes all risks arising out of the use of electronic signatures and electronic methods to send communications to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on an unauthorized communication, and the risk of interception or misuse by third parties.

 

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Section 16.13. Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture declared and provided, upon the terms and conditions herein above set forth.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed.

 

HEALTHCARE REALTY TRUST INCORPORATED

    as Issuer

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

    as Trustee

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Exhibit A

HEALTHCARE REALTY TRUST INCORPORATED

% SENIOR NOTES DUE [______]

No.

CUSIP No.:

ISIN:

$[______]

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, a Maryland corporation (herein called the “Issuer,” which term includes any successor entity under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or its registered assigns, the principal sum of [$______], or such lesser amount as is set forth in the Schedule of Increases or Decreases In Note on the other side of this Note, on [______], at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for that purpose in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, semi-annually on and of each year, commencing, [______], on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate per annum of [__]%, from the [______] or, as the case may be, next preceding the date of this Note to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, unless no interest has been paid or duly provided for on the Notes, in which case from [_____], until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. The Issuer shall pay interest on any Notes in certificated form by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it appears in the Note Register; provided, however, that a Holder of any Notes in certificated form in the aggregate principal amount of more than [$2.0 million] may specify by written notice to the Issuer that it pay interest by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified by the Noteholder in such notice, or on any Global Debt Securities by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee.

The Issuer promises to pay interest on overdue principal, premium, if any, and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) interest at the rate of 1% per annum above the rate borne by the Notes.

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof and the Indenture governing this Note. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed manually by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this Note to be duly executed.

Dated:

 

HEALTHCARE REALTY TRUST INCORPORATED
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Notes described in the within-named Indenture.

Dated:

 

U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

% SENIOR NOTES DUE [______]

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Issuer, designated as its % Senior Notes due [______] (herein called the “Notes”), issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of [______], (herein called the “Indenture”), between the Issuer and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (herein called the “Trustee”), to which Indenture and any indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of the Notes. Defined terms used but not otherwise defined in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture.

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), Section 6.01(f) or Section 6.01(g) with respect to the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes may be declared to be due and payable by either the Trustee or the Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and, upon said declaration the same shall be immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), Section 6.01(f) or Section 6.01(g) of the Indenture occurs with respect to the Issuer, the principal of and premium, if any, and interest accrued and unpaid on all the Notes shall be immediately and automatically due and payable without necessity of further action.

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Issuer and the Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Notes, subject to exceptions set forth in Section 9.02 of the Indenture. Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, waive any past Default or Event of Default, subject to exceptions set forth in the Indenture.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall impair, as among the Issuer and the Holders of the Notes, the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, on and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein and in the Indenture prescribed.

Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.


The Notes are issuable in fully registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and any multiple of $1,000. At the office or agency of the Issuer referred to on the face hereof, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without payment of any service charge but with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration or exchange of Notes, Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of any other authorized denominations.

The Issuer shall have the right to redeem the Notes under certain circumstances as set forth in Section 3.01, Section 3.02 and Section 3.03 of the Indenture.

The Notes are not subject to redemption through the operation of any sinking fund.

No recourse for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer in the Indenture or any supplemental indenture or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, limited partner, member, manager, employee, agent, officer, director or subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries or of any successor thereto, either directly or through the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s subsidiaries or of any successor thereto, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as consideration for, the execution of the Indenture and the issue of this Note.

Exhibit 4.25

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, as Issuer

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee

 

 

SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

Dated as of

[______]

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section

       Page  

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

 

 

Section 1.01.  

Definitions

     1  

ARTICLE 2

FORMS GENERALLY AND DATING; ISSUABLE IN SERIES; REGISTRATION AND

EXCHANGE OF NOTES

 

 

 

Section 2.01.  

Forms Generally and Dating

     9  
Section 2.02.  

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

     10  
Section 2.03.  

Reserved

     10  
Section 2.04.  

Execution of Notes

     10  
Section 2.05.  

Note Registrar and Paying Agent

     11  
Section 2.06.  

Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer

     11  
Section 2.07.  

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes

     12  
Section 2.08.  

Temporary Notes

     13  
Section 2.09.  

Cancellation of Notes

     14  
Section 2.10.  

CUSIP Numbers

     14  

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION OF NOTES

 

 

Section 3.01.  

Optional Redemption of Notes

     14  
Section 3.02.  

Notice of Optional Redemption; Selection of Notes

     14  
Section 3.03.  

Payment of Notes Called for Redemption by the Issuer

     16  

ARTICLE 4

CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

 

 

Section 4.01.  

Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest

     16  
Section 4.02.  

Maintenance of Office or Agency

     16  
Section 4.03.  

Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office

     17  
Section 4.04.  

Provisions as to Paying Agent

     17  
Section 4.05.  

Existence

     18  
Section 4.06.  

Reports

     18  
Section 4.07.  

Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

     19  
Section 4.08.  

Compliance Certificate

     20  
Section 4.09.  

Limitations on Incurrence of Debt

     20  

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

Section

       Page  
Section 4.10.  

Insurance

     21  

ARTICLE 5

NOTEHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE

 

 

Section 5.01.  

Noteholders’ Lists

     21  
Section 5.02.  

Preservation and Disclosure of Lists

     22  
Section 5.03.  

Reports by Trustee

     22  

ARTICLE 6

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS ON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT

 

 

Section 6.01.  

Events of Default

     22  
Section 6.02.  

Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor

     25  
Section 6.03.  

Application of Monies Collected by Trustee

     26  
Section 6.04.  

Proceedings by Holders

     27  
Section 6.05.  

Proceedings by Trustee

     28  
Section 6.06.  

Remedies Cumulative and Continuing

     28  
Section 6.07.  

Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders

     28  
Section 6.08.  

Notice of Defaults

     29  
Section 6.09.  

Undertaking to Pay Costs

     29  

ARTICLE 7

THE TRUSTEE

 

 

Section 7.01.  

Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee

     29  
Section 7.02.  

Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc.

     31  
Section 7.03.  

No Responsibility for Recitals, etc.

     32  
Section 7.04.  

Trustee, Paying Agents or Registrar May Own Notes

     32  
Section 7.05.  

Monies to Be Held in Trust

     33  
Section 7.06.  

Compensation and Expenses of Trustee

     33  
Section 7.07.  

Officers’ Certificate as Evidence

     33  
Section 7.08.  

Conflicting Interests of Trustee

     34  
Section 7.09.  

Eligibility of Trustee

     34  
Section 7.10.  

Resignation or Removal of Trustee

     34  
Section 7.11.  

Acceptance by Successor Trustee

     35  
Section 7.12.  

Succession by Merger

     36  

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

Section

       Page

Section 7.13.

 

Preferential Collection of Claims

   36

ARTICLE 8

RESERVED

ARTICLE 9

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.01.

 

Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders

   36

Section 9.02.

 

Supplemental Indenture With Consent of Holders

   37

Section 9.03.

 

Subordination Unimpaired

   38

Section 9.04.

 

Effect of Supplemental Indenture

   38

Section 9.05.

 

Notation on Notes

   39

Section 9.06.

 

Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished to Trustee

   39

ARTICLE 10

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

Section 10.01.

 

Issuer May Consolidate on Certain Terms

   39

Section 10.02.

 

Issuer Successor to Be Substituted

   40

ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 11.01.

 

Discharge of Indenture

   40

Section 11.02.

 

Deposited Monies to Be Held in Trust by Trustee

   41

Section 11.03.

 

Paying Agent to Repay Monies Held

   41

Section 11.04.

 

Return of Unclaimed Monies

   41

Section 11.05.

 

Reinstatement

   41

ARTICLE 12

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 12.01.

 

Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

   42

Section 12.02.

 

Legal Defeasance and Discharge

   42

Section 12.03.

 

Covenant Defeasance

   42

Section 12.04.

 

Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

   43

Section 12.05.

 

Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

   44

Section 12.06.

 

Repayment to Issuer

   44

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

Section

       Page  
Section 12.07.  

Reinstatement

     45  

ARTICLE 13

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

 

 

Section 13.01.  

Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations

     45  

ARTICLE 14

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF NOTES

 

 

Section 14.01.  

Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called

     46  
Section 14.02.  

Call, Notice and Place of Meetings

     46  
Section 14.03.  

Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings

     46  
Section 14.04.  

Quorum; Action

     46  
Section 14.05.  

Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings

     47  
Section 14.06.  

Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings

     48  

ARTICLE 15

SUBORDINATION OF NOTES

 

 

Section 15.01.  

Agreement of Subordination

     48  
Section 15.02.  

Payment to Noteholders

     48  
Section 15.03.  

Subrogation of Notes

     50  
Section 15.04.  

Authorization by Noteholders

     51  
Section 15.05.  

Notice to Trustee

     51  
Section 15.06.  

Trustee’s Relation to Senior Indebtedness

     52  
Section 15.07.  

No Impairment of Subordination

     52  
Section 15.08.  

Rights of Trustee

     52  
Section 15.09.  

Article 15 Applicable to Paying Agents

     52  

ARTICLE 16

RESERVED

 

 

ARTICLE 17

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

 

Section 17.01.  

Provisions Binding on Issuer’s Successors

     52  
Section 17.02.  

Official Acts by Successor Corporation

     52  
Section 17.03.  

Addresses for Notices, etc.

     53  

 

iv


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

Section

       Page  
Section 17.04.  

Governing Law

     53  
Section 17.05.  

Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent, Certificates to Trustee

     54  
Section 17.06.  

Legal Holidays

     54  
Section 17.07.  

Trust Indenture Act

     54  
Section 17.08.  

No Security Interest Created

     54  
Section 17.09.  

Benefits of Indenture

     54  
Section 17.10.  

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

     55  
Section 17.11.  

Authenticating Agent

     55  
Section 17.12.  

Execution in Counterparts

     55  
Section 17.13.  

Severability

     56  
Exhibit A – Form of Note      A1  

 

v


CROSS REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

  

Indenture Section

310(a)(1)    7.09
(a)(2)    7.09
(a)(3)    N.A.
(a)(4)    N.A.
(a)(5)    N.A.
(b)    7.08, 7.10
(c)    N.A.
311(a)    7.13
(b)    7.13
(c)    N.A.
312(a)    5.01
(b)    5.02
(c)    5.02
313(a)    5.03
(b)    5.03
(c)    5.03
(d)    5.03
314(a)    4.06, 4.08
(b)    N.A.
(c)(1)    17.05
(c)(2)    17.05
(c)(3)    N.A.
(d)    N.A.
(e)    17.05
(f)    N.A.
315(a)    7.01
(b)    6.08
(c)    7.01
(d)    7.01
(e)    6.09
316(a)(1)(A)    6.07
(a)(1)(B)    6.07
(a)(2)    N.A.
(b)    N.A.
(c)    N.A.
317(a)(1)    6.02
(a)(2)    6.02
(b)    11.03
318(a)    N.A.

 

N.A. means not applicable.

 

*

This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.

 

vi


SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

SUBORDINATED INDENTURE dated as of [______] (hereinafter called this “Indenture”) between Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, a Maryland corporation (f/k/a Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., a Maryland corporation) (hereinafter called the “Issuer”), having its principal office at 3310 West End Avenue, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37203, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee hereunder (hereinafter called the “Trustee”).

WHEREAS, the Issuer for its lawful purposes has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its notes, Additional Notes (as defined below) or other evidence of indebtedness (hereinafter called the “Debt Securities” or “Notes”) to be issued in one or more series as herein provided; and

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

THAT, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants herein contained and of the purchase and acceptance of the Debt Securities by the holders thereof, and for other valuable consideration the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, it is hereby agreed among the Issuer and the Trustee, for the benefit of those who shall hold the Debt Securities, as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01. Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any Supplemental Indenture shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.01. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act (as defined below) or which are by reference therein defined in the Securities Act (as defined below) (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Indenture Act and in the Securities Act as in force at the date of the execution of this Indenture. The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other Subdivision. The terms defined in this Article include the plural as well as the singular.

2026 Notes” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01 hereof.

Acquired Debt” means Debt of a Person (1) existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or (2) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case, other than Debt incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Subsidiary or such acquisition. Acquired Debt shall be deemed to be incurred on the date of the related acquisition of assets from any Person or the date the acquired Person becomes a Subsidiary.

 

1


Additional Notes” means additional Notes which may be issued from time to time in accordance with the terms of the applicable Supplemental Indenture.

Adjusted Treasury Rate” means, on any Redemption Date, the rate per year, as determined by the Quotation Agent, equal to:

(1) the yield, under the heading that represents the weekly average yield (being, if not reported as a weekly average yield, the average of the five most recent daily reported yields), appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15” or any successor publication that is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue; provided that if no maturity is within three months before or after the Remaining Life of the Debt Securities of such series, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue will be determined and the Adjusted Treasury Rate will be interpolated or extrapolated from those yields on a straight-line basis rounding to the nearest month; or

(2) if that release, or any successor release, is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per year equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that Redemption Date.

The Adjusted Treasury Rate will be calculated at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the third Business Day preceding the date of the notice of redemption by the Quotation Agent.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Agent” means any Note Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

Annual Debt Service Charge” as of any date means the amount of interest expense determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Authentication Order” means the written order of the Issuer directing the Trustee to authenticate any Debt Securities.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal, state, or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Issuer or a committee of such board duly authorized to act for it hereunder.

 

2


Business Day” means, with respect to any Note, any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York, or in such other place of payment of the Notes, are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking S.A.

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the Remaining Life that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Life.

Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Trustee obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.

Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service” means, for any period, Earnings from Operations of Issuer and its Subsidiaries plus amounts which have been deducted, and minus amounts which have been added, for the following (without duplication): (1) Annual Debt Service Charge of Issuer and its Subsidiaries, (2) provision for taxes of Issuer and its Subsidiaries based on income, (3) provisions for gains and losses on properties and depreciation and amortization, (4) increases in deferred taxes and other non-cash items, (5) depreciation and amortization with respect to interests in joint venture and partially owned entity investments, (6) the effect of any charge resulting from a change in accounting principles in determining Earnings from Operations for such period, and (7) amortization of deferred charges.

Corporate Trust Office” or other similar term, means the designated office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business as it relates to this Indenture shall be administered, which office is, at the date as of which this Indenture is dated, located at the address set forth in Section 17.03 hereof.

Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 12.03 hereof.

CUSIP” means the Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures.

Custodian” means U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

Debt” means any of Issuer’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ indebtedness, whether or not contingent, in respect of (without duplication) (1) borrowed money evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, (2) indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or any security interest existing on property owned by Issuer or any of its

 

3


Subsidiaries, but only to the extent of the lesser of (a) the amount of indebtedness so secured and (b) the fair market value (determined in good faith by the board of directors of such Person or, in the case of Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries, by the Board of Directors) of the property subject to such mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or security interest, (3) the reimbursement obligations, contingent or otherwise, in connection with any letters of credit actually issued or amounts representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, or all conditional sale obligations or obligations under any title retention agreement, or (4) any lease of property by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries as lessee which is reflected on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet as a financing lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; but only to the extent, in the case of items of indebtedness under (1) through (3) above, that any such items (other than letters of credit) would appear as a liability on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The term “Debt” also includes, to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise (other than for purposes of collection in the ordinary course of business or for the purposes of guaranteeing the payment of all amounts due and owing pursuant to leases to which Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries are a party and have assigned its or their interest, provided that such assignee of Issuer or its Subsidiary is not in default of any amounts due and owing under such leases), Debt of another Person (other than Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) (it being understood that Debt shall be deemed to be incurred by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries whenever Issuer or such Subsidiary shall create, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect thereof). In the case of items of indebtedness under (4) above, the term “Debt” will exclude any lease of property by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries as lessee which is reflected on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet as an operating lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

“Debt Securities” or “Notes” has the meaning specified in the second paragraph of this Indenture.

Default” means any event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become, an Event of Default.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03 hereof.

Depositary” means the clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as the Depositary for the Global Debt Securities. DTC shall be the initial Depositary, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.

Earnings from Operations” means, for any period, net income or loss of Issuer and its Subsidiaries, excluding: (1) provisions for gains and losses on sales of investments or joint ventures; (2) provisions for gains and losses on disposition of discontinued operations; (3) extraordinary and non-recurring items; and (4) impairment charges, property valuation losses and non-cash charges necessary to record interest rate contracts at fair value; plus amounts received as rent under leases which are accounted for as financing arrangements net of related interest income, as reflected in the consolidated financial statements of Issuer and its Subsidiaries for such period determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

4


EDGAR” has the meaning specified in Section 4.06(a) hereof.

Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear system.

Event of Default” means any event specified in Section 6.01 hereof as an Event of Default.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

Global Debt Securities Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Debt Securities issued under this Indenture.

Global Debt Securities” means the Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, and that bears the Global Debt Securities Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Debt Securities” attached thereto, issued in accordance with this Indenture.

Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit.

Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented.

Intercompany Debt” means Debt to which the only parties are any of Issuer and any of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that with respect to any such Debt of which Issuer is the borrower, such Debt is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes.

interest” means, when used with reference to the Notes, any interest payable under the terms of the Notes.

Issuer” means the corporation named as the “Issuer” in the first paragraph of this Indenture, and, subject to the provisions of Article 10 hereof, shall include its successors and assigns.

Legal Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 12.02 hereof.

Note Register” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05 hereof.

Note Registrar” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05 hereof.

Noteholder” or “Holder” as applied to any Debt Security, or other similar terms (but excluding the term “beneficial holder”), means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Debt Security is registered on the Note Registrar’s books.

 

5


Officer” means, with respect to any Person, any person holding any of the following positions with such Person, or, in the case of a Person that is a partnership, the general partner of such Person: the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer and the Secretary.

Officers’ Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by any two Officers or by one such Officer and any Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary of such Person or, in the case of a Person that is a partnership, the general partner of such Person.

Opinion of Counsel” means, with respect to any Person, an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to such Person, or other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

outstanding,” when used with reference to Notes and subject to the provisions of Section 8.04 hereof, means, as of any particular time, all Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:

(1) Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(2) Notes, or portions thereof, (i) for the redemption of which monies in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent (other than the Issuer) or (ii) which shall have been otherwise discharged in accordance with Article 11 hereof;

(3) Notes in lieu of which, or in substitution for which, other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.07 hereof; and

(4) Notes paid or redeemed pursuant to Article 3 hereof.

Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

Paying Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05 hereof.

Person” means a corporation, an association, a partnership, a limited liability company, an individual, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or a political subdivision thereof.

premium” means any premium payable under the terms of the Notes.

Primary Treasury Dealer” means a primary U.S. Government securities dealer.

Prospectus” means the Issuer’s prospectus dated [______].

Quotation Agent” means the Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by the Issuer.

Redemption Date” means, with respect to any Note or portion thereof to be redeemed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof, the date fixed for such redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof and the provisions of any relevant Supplemental Indenture.

 

6


Redemption Price” means, with respect to any Note or portion thereof to be redeemed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof, the redemption price fixed for such redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof and the provisions of any relevant Supplemental Indenture.

Reference Treasury Dealer” means any one Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Issuer.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by Issuer, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such date of the notice of redemption.

Remaining Life” means the remaining term of the Debt Securities of such series to be redeemed, calculated as if the maturity date of such Debt Securities were the applicable par call date.

Responsible Officer” shall mean, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of or familiarity with the particular subject.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

Senior Indebtedness” means any of Issuer’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ indebtedness, whether or not contingent, in respect of (without duplication) (1) borrowed money evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, (2) indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or any security interest existing on property owned by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, but only to the extent of the lesser of (a) the amount of indebtedness so secured and (b) the fair market value (determined in good faith by the board of directors of such Person or, in the case of Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries, by the Board of Directors) of the property subject to such mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or security interest, (3) the reimbursement obligations, contingent or otherwise, in connection with any letters of credit actually issued or amounts representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, or all conditional sale obligations or obligations under any title retention agreement, or (4) any lease of property by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries as lessee which is reflected on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet as a capitalized lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; but only to the extent, in the case of items of indebtedness under (1) through (3) above, that any such items (other than letters of credit) would appear as a liability on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness outlined above, the instrument or lease creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or guarantee of the same expressly provides that such indebtedness is not superior in right of payment to the Notes.

 

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Significant Subsidiary” means any subsidiary which is a “significant subsidiary” within the meaning of Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission as in effect on the date hereof.

Stated Maturity,” with respect to any Debt Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date established by or pursuant to a Supplemental Indenture or such Note as the fixed date on which the principal of such Note or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock or other equity interest entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof) and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or managing general partner of which is such Person or a subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

Supplemental Indenture” has the meaning specified in Section 9.01 hereof.

Total Assets” as of any date means the sum of (1) Issuer’s and all of its Subsidiaries’ Undepreciated Real Estate Assets and (2) all of Issuer’s and all of its Subsidiaries’ other assets determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (but excluding intangibles).

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as it was in force at the date of this Indenture; provided, that if the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after the date hereof, the term “Trust Indenture Act” shall mean, to the extent required by such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

Trustee” means U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, and its successors and any corporation resulting from or surviving any consolidation or merger to which it or its successors may be a party and any successor trustee at the time serving as successor trustee hereunder.

Undepreciated Real Estate Assets” as of any date means the cost (original cost plus capital improvements) of Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ real estate assets, right of use assets associated with a financing lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles on such date, before depreciation and amortization determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; provided that “Undepreciated Real Estate Assets” will not include the right of use assets associated with an operating lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

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Unencumbered Total Asset Value” as of any date means the sum of (1) those Undepreciated Real Estate Assets not encumbered by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or security interest and (2) all of Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ other assets on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (but excluding intangibles), in each case which are unencumbered by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or security interest; provided, however, that, in determining Unencumbered Total Asset Value for purposes of Section 4.09(d) hereof, all investments by the Issuer and any of its Subsidiaries in unconsolidated joint ventures, unconsolidated limited partnerships, unconsolidated limited liability companies and other unconsolidated entities accounted for financial reporting purposes using the equity method of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles shall be excluded from Unencumbered Total Asset Value.

U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.

ARTICLE 2

FORMS GENERALLY AND DATING; ISSUABLE IN SERIES; REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES

Section 2.01. Forms Generally and Dating. The Debt Securities of each series shall be in the form of Exhibit A hereto, or established from time to time by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or in one or more Supplemental Indentures. The Debt Securities and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or by a resolution of the Board of Directors and may have such notations, legends or endorsements as the Issuer may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture or as may be required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. The Issuer shall approve and provide the form of the Debt Securities and the form of any guarantee thereto and any notation, legend or endorsement thereon. If the form of Debt Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Authentication Order or the authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities.

Each Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The form of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by the Debt Securities shall be substantially as follows:

[FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE]

This is one of the Debt Securities of the series referred to on the reverse hereof.

 

,

as Trustee

By:

 

 

     

 

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Authorized Signatory
Dated:

Section 2.02. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to one or more resolutions of the Board of Directors, or established in or pursuant to one or more Supplemental Indentures, prior to the issuance of the Debt Securities of any series the terms and conditions of such Debt Securities as set forth in such Supplemental Indenture.

All Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such resolution of the Board of Directors or in any such Supplemental Indenture. Not all Debt Securities of any one series need be issued at the same time, and, unless otherwise so provided, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Debt Securities of such series.

If any of the terms of the Debt Securities of a series are established by action taken pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the Debt Securities of such series. With respect to Debt Securities of a series which are not to be issued at one time, such resolution of the Board of Directors or action may provide general terms or parameters for Debt Securities of such series and provide either that the specific terms of particular Debt Securities of such series shall be specified in a Authentication Order or that such terms shall be determined by the Issuer or its agents in accordance with a Authentication Order .

Section 2.03. Reserved.

Section 2.04. Execution of Notes. The Debt Securities shall be signed, in the name and on behalf of the Issuer, manually or by facsimile or other electronic imaging means by an Officer of the Issuer. The Trustee will, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, manually authenticate Debt Securities for issue under this Indenture. The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of such series outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities authorized for issuance by the Issuer pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.08 hereof.

In case any Officer of the Issuer who shall have signed any of the Notes shall cease to be such Officer of the Issuer before the Notes so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Issuer, such Notes nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Notes had not ceased to be such Officer of the Issuer, and any Note may be signed on behalf of the Issuer by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Note, shall be the proper Officers of the Issuer, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such an Officer of the Issuer.

 

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Section 2.05. Note Registrar and Paying Agent.    The Issuer will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Note Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Note Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange (the “Note Register”). The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Note Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Note Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuer will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuer fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Note Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Note Registrar.

The Issuer initially appoints the DTC to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Debt Securities.

The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Note Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Debt Securities.

The Issuer will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or its Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuer, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.06. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer.

(a) Transfer of Debt Securities. The transfer of any series of Debt Securities may be registered by the registered owner thereof, in person or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, at the office or agency of the Issuer to be maintained by it as provided in Section 4.02, by delivering such Debt Security for cancellation, accompanied by delivery of a duly executed instrument of transfer, in form approved by the Issuer and satisfactory to the Trustee or its designee, and thereupon the Issuer shall execute in the name of the transferee or transferees, and the Trustee or the authenticating agent shall authenticate and deliver, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series and of like form for the same aggregate principal amount.

(b) Global Debt Securities Legend. Each Global Debt Security will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

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“THIS GLOBAL DEBT SECURITY IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL DEBT SECURITY MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(A) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL DEBT SECURITY MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.09 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL DEBT SECURITY MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

(c) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Debt Securities. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Debt Security have been exchanged for Debt Securities or a particular Debt Security has been redeemed or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Debt Security will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.09 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Debt Security is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Debt Security the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Debt Security will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Debt Security by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Debt Security, such other Global Debt Security will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Debt Security by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

Section 2.07. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes. In case any Note shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer in its discretion may execute, and upon its written request the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, a new Note, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Note, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Note so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case, the applicant for a substituted Note shall furnish to the Issuer, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such

 

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authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.

Following receipt by the Trustee or such authenticating agent, as the case may be, of satisfactory security or indemnity and evidence, as described in the preceding paragraph, the Trustee or such authenticating agent may authenticate any such substituted Note and make available for delivery such Note. Upon the issuance of any substituted Note, the Issuer may require the payment by the Holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Note which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption, as the case may be, shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer may, instead of issuing a substitute Note, pay or authorize the payment of, as the case may be, if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Issuer, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or in connection with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer, the Trustee and, if applicable, any Paying Agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.

Every substitute Note issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.07 by virtue of the fact that any Note is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder. To the extent permitted by law, all Notes shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment or exchange or redemption of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment or redemption of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

Section 2.08. Temporary Notes. Pending the preparation of Notes in certificated form, the Issuer may execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall, upon the written request of the Issuer, authenticate and deliver temporary Notes (printed or lithographed). Temporary Notes shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the Notes in certificated form, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Notes, all as may be determined by the Issuer. Every such temporary Note shall be executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee or such authenticating agent upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the Notes in certificated form. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer will execute and deliver to the Trustee or such authenticating agent Notes in certificated form and thereupon any or all temporary Notes may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at each office or agency maintained by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof and the Trustee or such authenticating agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in

 

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exchange for such temporary Notes an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes in certificated form. Such exchange shall be made by the Issuer at its own expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same limitations under this Indenture as Notes in certificated form authenticated and delivered hereunder.

Section 2.09. Cancellation of Notes. All Notes surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption or registration of transfer shall, if surrendered to the Issuer or any Paying Agent, which shall initially be the Trustee, or any Note Registrar, be surrendered to the Trustee and promptly canceled by it or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be promptly canceled by it and no Notes shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of such canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures, with copies of such cancelled Notes and related documentation provided to the Issuer. If the Issuer shall acquire any of the Notes, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.10. CUSIP Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Debt Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION OF NOTES

Section 3.01. Optional Redemption of Notes.

(a) The Issuer may, with respect to any Series of Notes, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Notes or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Notes or any part thereof prior to the applicable maturity date thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Notes. If a Series of Notes is redeemable and the Issuer wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the applicable maturity date thereof all or part of the Series of Notes pursuant to the terms of such Notes, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date and the principal amount of the Series of Notes to be redeemed. The Issuer shall give the notice at least 15 days before the Redemption Date (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Trustee).

(b) The Issuer shall not redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.01(a) hereof on any date if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated, and such an acceleration has not been rescinded or cured on or prior to such date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a default by the Issuer in the payment of the Redemption Price with respect to the Notes to be redeemed).

 

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Section 3.02. Notice of Optional Redemption; Selection of Notes. In case the Issuer shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Notes pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof, it shall fix a date for redemption and it or, at its written request received by the Trustee not fewer than five (5) Business Days prior (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee) to the date the notice of redemption is to be mailed (or sent by electronic transmission), the Trustee in the name of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall mail (or send by electronic transmission) or cause to be mailed (or sent by electronic transmission) a notice of such redemption not fewer than fifteen (15) calendar days nor more than sixty (60) calendar days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes so to be redeemed in whole or in part at its last address as the same appears on the Note Register; provided, that if the Issuer makes such request of the Trustee, it shall, together with such request, also give written notice of the Redemption Date to the Trustee; provided further that the text of the notice shall be prepared by the Issuer. Such mailing shall be by first class mail (unless sent by electronic transmission). The notice, if mailed in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note.

Each such notice of redemption shall specify: (i) the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; (ii) the CUSIP number or numbers, if any, of the Notes being redeemed; (iii) the Redemption Date (which shall be a Business Day); (iv) the Redemption Price at which Notes are to be redeemed; (v) the place or places of payment and that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Notes; and (vi) that interest accrued and unpaid to, but excluding, the Redemption Date will be paid as specified in said notice, and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portion thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. If fewer than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including CUSIP numbers, if any). In case any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that, on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

Whenever any Notes are to be redeemed, the Issuer will give the Trustee written notice of the Redemption Date, together with an Officers’ Certificate as to the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed not fewer than fifteen (15) calendar days (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the Redemption Date.

On or prior to the Redemption Date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section 3.02, the Issuer will deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 4.04 hereof) an amount of monies in immediately available funds sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date all the Notes (or portions thereof) so called for redemption at the appropriate Redemption Price; provided, that if such payment is made on the Redemption Date, it must be received by the Paying Agent, by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date. The Issuer shall be entitled to retain any interest, yield or gain on amounts deposited with the Paying Agent pursuant to this Section 3.02 in excess of amounts required hereunder to pay the Redemption Price.

 

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If less than all of the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Notes or portions thereof of the Global Debt Security or the Notes in certificated form to be redeemed (in principal amounts of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof), on a pro rata basis or such other method the Trustee deems fair and appropriate or is required by the Depositary. The Notes (or portions thereof) so selected for redemption shall be deemed duly selected for redemption for all purposes hereof.

Section 3.03. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption by the Issuer. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 3.02 hereof, the Notes or portion of Notes with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the place or places stated in such notice at the Redemption Price, and unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Notes at the Redemption Price, so long as Paying Agent holds funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Notes to be redeemed on the Redemption Date, then (a) such Notes will cease to be outstanding on and after the Redemption Date, (b) interest on the Notes or portion of Notes so called for redemption shall cease to accrue on and after the Redemption Date, (c) after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price) and, except as provided in Sections 7.05 and 11.02 hereof, such Notes will cease to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and (d) the Holders of the Notes shall have no right in respect of such Notes except the right to receive the Redemption Price thereof. On presentation and surrender of such Notes at a place of payment in said notice specified, the said Notes or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the Redemption Price, together with interest accrued thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

Upon presentation of any Note redeemed in part only, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Note or Notes, of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Notes so presented.

ARTICLE 4

CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

Section 4.01. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. The Issuer covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid when due the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), and premium, if any, and interest on each of the Global Debt Securities at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the applicable Supplemental Indenture and Notes; provided, that the Issuer or Paying Agent may withhold from payments of interest and upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof, maturity or otherwise, any amounts the Issuer or Paying Agent is required to withhold by law.

Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Issuer will maintain an office or agency, where the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or redemption and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. As of the date of this Indenture, such office shall be the Corporate Trust Office and, at any other time, at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Issuer. The Issuer will give prompt

 

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written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency not designated or appointed by the Trustee. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office; provided, however, that the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee shall not be an office or agency of the Issuer for the purpose of effective service of legal process on the Issuer.

The Issuer may also from time to time designate co-registrars and one or more offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Issuer hereby initially designates the Trustee as Paying Agent, Note Registrar and Custodian, and the Corporate Trust Office shall be considered as one such office or agency of the Issuer for each of the aforesaid purposes.

So long as the Trustee is the Note Registrar, the Trustee agrees to mail (or send by electronic transmission), or cause to be mailed, the notices set forth in Section 7.10 and the third paragraph of Section 7.11 hereof. If co-registrars have been appointed in accordance with this Section 4.02, the Trustee shall mail such notices only to the Issuer and the Holders of Notes it can identify from its records.

Section 4.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustees Office. The Issuer, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as provided in Section 7.10 hereof, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

Section 4.04. Provisions as to Paying Agent.

(a) If the Issuer shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, or if the Trustee shall appoint such a Paying Agent, the Issuer will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.04:

(1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Notes (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Notes) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes;

(2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Notes) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Notes when the same shall be due and payable; and

(3) that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust.

 

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The Issuer shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum (in funds which are immediately available on the due date for such payment) sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action; provided, that if such deposit is made on the due date, such deposit shall be received by the Paying Agent by 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on such date.

(b) If the Issuer shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and interest so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Issuer (or any other obligor under the Notes) to make any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes when the same shall become due and payable.

(c) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Issuer may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Issuer or any Paying Agent hereunder as required by this Section 4.04, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment by the Issuer or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Issuer or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

(d) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 4.04 is subject to Sections 11.02 and 11.03 hereof.

The Trustee shall not be responsible for the actions of any other Paying Agents (including the Issuer if acting as its own Paying Agent) and shall have no control of any funds held by such other Paying Agents.

Section 4.05. Existence. Subject to Article 10 hereof, the Issuer will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and rights (charter and statutory); provided, that the Issuer shall not be required to preserve any such right if the Issuer shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

Section 4.06. Reports.

(a) Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuer will furnish to the Trustee:

 

  (1)

all quarterly and annual reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Issuer were required to file such reports; and

 

  (2)

all current reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Issuer were required to file such reports,

 

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in each case within fifteen (15) days after the Issuer files such reports with the Commission or would be required to file such reports with the Commission pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, whichever is earlier. Reports, information and documents filed with the Commission via the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”) will be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time of such filing via EDGAR for purposes of this covenant; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been filed via EDGAR.

Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under this Section 4.06 is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive or actual notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of the covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports. Each annual report on Form 10-K will include a report on the Issuer’s consolidated financial statements by its independent registered public accounting firm, unless otherwise permitted by the Commission. The Issuer will file a copy of each of the reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the Commission for public availability within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations applicable to such reports (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) and will make the reports available on its website within fifteen (15) days after it files such reports with the Commission.

If the Issuer is no longer subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the Issuer will nevertheless continue filing the reports specified in clauses (1) and (2) above with the Commission within the time periods specified above unless the Commission will not accept such a filing. The Issuer will not take any action for the purpose of causing the Commission not to accept any such filings. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commission will not accept the Issuer’s filings for any reason, the Issuer will make the reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above available on its website within fifteen (15) days after the Issuer would be required to file such reports with the Commission.

(b) For so long as any Notes remain outstanding, if at any time it is not required to file with the Commission the reports required by paragraphs (a) of this Section 4.06, the Issuer will furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

Section 4.07. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Issuer covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law or other law which would prohibit or forgive the Issuer from paying all or any portion of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture and the Issuer (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

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Section 4.08. Compliance Certificate. Within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the end of each fiscal year of the Issuer, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate signed by any of the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Issuer stating whether or not the signer has knowledge of any Default under this Indenture, and, if so, specifying each Default and the nature and the status thereof.

The Issuer will deliver to the Trustee, within thirty (30) calendar days of becoming aware of (i) any default in the performance or observance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Indenture, or (ii) any Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying with particularity such Default or Event of Default and further stating what action the Issuer has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Any notice required to be given under this Section 4.08 shall be delivered to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 4.09. Limitations on Incurrence of Debt.

(a) Limitation on Total Outstanding Debt. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt other than Intercompany Debt and guarantees of Debt incurred by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries in compliance with this Indenture, if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all of the Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ outstanding Debt on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is greater than 60% of the sum of (without duplication) (1) Total Assets as of the end of the Issuer’s most recently completed fiscal quarter prior to the incurrence of such additional Debt and (2) the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Debt), by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries since the end of such calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional Debt.

(b) Limitation on Secured Debt. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt other than Intercompany Debt and guarantees of Debt incurred by Issuer or its Subsidiaries in compliance with this Indenture, secured by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge, encumbrance or security interest of any kind upon any of Issuer’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ property if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all of Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ outstanding Debt on a consolidated basis which is secured by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge, encumbrance or security interest on Issuer’s or its Subsidiaries’ property is greater than 40% of the sum of (without duplication) (1) Total Assets as of the end of the Issuer’s most recently completed fiscal quarter prior to the incurrence of such additional Debt and (2) the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Debt), by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries since the end of such calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional Debt; provided, that for purposes of this limitation, the amount of obligations under capital leases shown as a liability on Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet shall be deducted from Debt and from Total Assets.

 

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(c) Ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service to the Annual Debt Service Charge. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt, other than Intercompany Debt and guarantees of Debt by Issuer or its Subsidiaries in compliance with this Indenture, if the ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service to the Annual Debt Service Charge for the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended prior to the date on which such additional Debt is to be incurred shall have been less than 1.5 to 1.0, on an unaudited pro forma basis after giving effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, and calculated on the assumption that: (1) such Debt and any other Debt incurred by Issuer and its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period and the application of the proceeds therefrom, including to refinance other Debt, had occurred at the beginning of such period; (2) the repayment or retirement of any other Debt by Issuer and its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period had been repaid or retired at the beginning of such period (except that, in making such computation, the amount of Debt under any revolving credit facility shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Debt during such period); (3) in the case of Acquired Debt or Debt incurred in connection with any acquisition since the first day of such four-quarter period, the related acquisition had occurred as of the first day of such period, with the appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition being included in such unaudited pro forma calculation; and (4) in the case of any acquisition or disposition by Issuer or its Subsidiaries of any asset or group of assets or other placement of any assets in service or removal of any assets from service by Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period, whether by merger, stock purchase or sale, or asset purchase or sale, such acquisition, disposition, placement in service or removal from service, or any related repayment of Debt had occurred as of the first day of such period, with the appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition, disposition, placement in service or removal from service, being included in such unaudited pro forma calculation.

(d) Maintenance of Unencumbered Total Asset Value. The Issuer, together with its Subsidiaries, will at all times maintain an Unencumbered Total Asset Value in an amount not less than 150% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ unsecured Debt, taken as a whole.

Section 4.10. Insurance. The Issuer will, and will cause of each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain insurance with financially sound and reputable insurance companies against such risks and in such amounts as is customarily maintained by Persons engaged in similar businesses or as may be required by applicable law.

ARTICLE 5

NOTEHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE

Section 5.01. Noteholders Lists. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Supplemental Indenture, the Issuer covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee, semiannually, not more than fifteen (15) calendar days after each April 1 and October 1 of each year beginning with October 1, 2022, and at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Issuer of any such request (or such lesser time as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to enable it to timely provide any notice to be provided by it hereunder), a list in such form as the

 

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Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes as of a date not more than fifteen (15) calendar days (or such other date as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to so provide any such notices) prior to the time such information is furnished, except that no such list need be furnished by the Issuer to the Trustee so long as the Trustee is acting as the sole Note Registrar.

Section 5.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists.

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 hereof or maintained by the Trustee in its capacity as Note Registrar or co-registrar in respect of the Notes, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 hereof upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b) The rights of Noteholders to communicate with other Holders of Notes with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Notes, and the corresponding rights and duties of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.

(c) Every Noteholder agrees with the Issuer and the Trustee that neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders of Notes made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 5.03. Reports by Trustee.

(a) On or before May 15 of each year beginning with May 15, 2023, the Trustee shall transmit to Holders of Notes such reports dated as of May 15 of the year in which such reports are made concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. In the event that no events have occurred under the applicable Sections of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall be under no duty or obligation to provide such reports.

(b) A copy of such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders of Notes, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange and automated quotation system, if any, upon which the Notes are listed and with the Issuer. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing if the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or automated quotation system or delisted therefrom.

ARTICLE 6

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS ON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 6.01. Events of Default. In case one or more of the following (each an “Event of Default”) (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be occasioned by the provisions of Article 15 or voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body) shall have occurred and be continuing:

 

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(a) default for thirty (30) days in the payment of any installment of interest under the Debt Securities of such series; or

(b) default in the payment of the principal amount or Redemption Price due with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, when the same becomes due and payable; provided, however, that a valid extension of the applicable maturity date in accordance with the terms hereof shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal; or

(c) the Issuer fails to comply with any of the Issuer’s other agreements contained in the Debt Securities of such series or this Indenture upon receipt by the Issuer of notice of such default by the Trustee or by Holders of not less than twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding and the Issuer fails to cure (or obtain a waiver of) such default within sixty (60) days after the Issuer receives such notice; or

(d) failure to pay any indebtedness for monies borrowed by the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer in an outstanding principal amount in excess of $50,000,000 at final maturity or upon acceleration after the expiration of any applicable grace period, which indebtedness is not discharged, or such default in payment or acceleration is not cured or rescinded, within thirty (30) days after written notice to the Issuer from the Trustee (or to the Issuer and the Trustee from Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series); provided, however, that for the purposes of this Section 6.01(d), $50,000,000 shall be replaced by $35,000,000 for so long as any of the Issuer’s 3.50% Senior Notes Due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) are outstanding; or

(e) the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer pursuant to or under or within meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences a voluntary case or proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or its debts or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer; or

(ii) consents to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer; or

(iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

(f) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of thirty (30) calendar days; or

 

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(g) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer in an involuntary case or proceeding; or

(ii) appoints a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer; or

(iii) orders the liquidation of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary of the Issuer;

and, in each case in this clause (g), the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for thirty (30) calendar days,

then, in each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), 6.01(f) or 6.01(g) hereof with respect to the Issuer), unless the principal of all of the Debt Securities of such series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding, by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal amount of and premium, if any, and interest accrued and unpaid on all the Debt Securities of such series to be immediately due and payable, and upon any such declaration the same shall be immediately due and payable.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), 6.01(f) or 6.01(g) hereof occurs with respect to the Issuer, the principal amount of and premium, if any, and interest accrued and unpaid on all the Debt Securities of such series shall be immediately and automatically due and payable without necessity of further action.

If, at any time after the principal amount of and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities of such series shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the monies due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding on behalf of the Holders of all of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding, by written notice to the Issuer and to the Trustee, may waive all Defaults or Events of Default and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, subject in all respects to Section 6.07 hereof, if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal amount and any accrued and unpaid interest that have become due solely because of such acceleration, have been cured or waived. No such rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent Default or Event of Default, or shall impair any right consequent thereon. The Issuer shall notify in writing a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, promptly upon becoming aware thereof, of any Event of Default, as provided in Section 4.08 hereof.

 

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In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such waiver or rescission and annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Issuer, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Issuer, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

Section 6.02. Payments of Debt Securities on Default; Suit Therefor. The Issuer covenants that in the case of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) hereof, upon demand of the Trustee, the Issuer will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series, (i) the whole amount that then shall be due and payable on all such Debt Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, or interest, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon the overdue installments of accrued and unpaid interest at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of such series, plus 1%, from the required payment date and, (ii) in addition thereto, any amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof. Until such demand by the Trustee, the Issuer may pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities of such series to the registered Holders, whether or not the Debt Securities of such series are overdue.

In case the Issuer shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Issuer or any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuer or any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series wherever situated the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable.

In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Issuer or any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series under any Bankruptcy Law, or any other applicable law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Issuer or such other obligor, the property of the Issuer or such other obligor, or in the case of any other judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or such other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Debt Securities of such series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.02, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, accrued and unpaid interest in respect of the Debt Securities of such series, and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series, its or their creditors, or its or their property, and to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of any amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof, and to take any other action with respect to such

 

25


claims, including participating as a member of any official committee of creditors, as it reasonably deems necessary or advisable, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, custodian or similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Holders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements, including counsel fees and expenses incurred by it up to the date of such distribution. To the extent that such payment of reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements out of the estate in any such proceedings shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, monies, securities and other property which the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series may be entitled to receive in such proceedings, whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debt Securities of such series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Debt Securities of such series, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series.

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and in any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series, and it shall not be necessary to make any Holders of the Debt Securities of such series parties to any such proceedings.

Section 6.03. Application of Monies Collected by Trustee. Any monies collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 6, shall be applied, in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such monies, upon presentation of the Debt Securities of such series, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof;

SECOND: In case the principal of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall not have become due and be unpaid, and subject to Article 15 hereof, to the payment of accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such Debt Securities in which an Event of Default exists in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) as provided in Section 6.02 hereof upon the overdue installments of interest at the annual rate of 1% above then applicable interest rate, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto;

 

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THIRD: In case the principal of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, and be unpaid to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon such Debt Securities for principal and premium, if any, and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of accrued and unpaid interest, as provided in Section 6.02 hereof, and in case such monies shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon such Debt Securities, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Note over any other Note, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest; and

FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Issuer or any other Person lawfully entitled thereto.

Section 6.04. Proceedings by Holders. No Holder of any Note shall have any right by virtue of or by reference to any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator, custodian or other similar official, or for any other remedy hereunder, except in the case of a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities of such series, unless (a) such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided, (b) the Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such security or indemnity as it may require against the costs, liabilities or expenses to be incurred therein or thereby, (c) the Trustee for ninety (90) calendar days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of security or indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and (d) no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and Holder of every Debt Security with every other taker and Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders of Debt Securities shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of or by reference to any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holder of Debt Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders of Debt Securities (except as otherwise provided herein). For the protection and enforcement of this Section 6.04, each and every Noteholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture and any provision of any Debt Security, the right of any Holder of any Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof) and premium, if any, and accrued interest on such Debt Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt Security or in the event of redemption, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates against the Issuer shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

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Section 6.05. Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default, the Trustee may, in its discretion, proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as are necessary to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

Section 6.06. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing. All powers and remedies given by this Article 6 to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any of the Debt Securities of such series to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or any acquiescence therein, and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.04 hereof, every power and remedy given by this Article 6 or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.

Section 6.07. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided, that (a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, (b) the Trustee may take any other action which is not inconsistent with such direction, (c) the Trustee may decline to take any action that would benefit some Holders to the detriment of other Holders or otherwise be unduly prejudicial to the Holders not joining therein and (d) the Trustee may decline to take any action that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any such action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time outstanding may, on behalf of the Holders of all of such Debt Securities, waive any past Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except (i) a default in the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), premium, if any, or interest on such Debt Securities, unless such default has been cured and the Issuer has deposited with the Trustee all required payments of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Debt Securities (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities then outstanding may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration) or (ii) a default in respect of a covenant or provisions hereof which under Article 9 hereof cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holders of all such Debt Securities then outstanding or each such Debt Security affected thereby.

 

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Upon any such waiver, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 6.07, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.08. Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within sixty (60) calendar days after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of the occurrence of a Default, mail (or send by electronic transmission) to all Holders, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear upon the Note Register, notice of all Defaults known to a Responsible Officer, unless such Defaults shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided, that except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), or interest on any of the Debt Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Trustee determines in good faith that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders.

Section 6.09. Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Note by its acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may, in its discretion, require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided, that the provisions of this Section 6.09 (to the extent permitted by law) shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Issuer, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Noteholder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than ten percent (10%) in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04 hereof, or to any suit instituted by any Noteholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof), or interest on any Note on or after the due date expressed in such Note.

ARTICLE 7

THE TRUSTEE

Section 7.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiver of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of its own affairs.

 

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No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred:

(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith and willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;

(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the written direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time outstanding determined as provided in Section 8.04 hereof relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture;

(d) whether or not therein provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 8.04;

(e) the Trustee shall not be liable in respect of any payment (as to the correctness of amount, entitlement to receive or any other matters relating to payment) or notice effected by the Issuer or any Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) or any records maintained by any co-registrar (other than the Trustee) with respect to the Debt Securities of such series;

(f) if any party fails to deliver a notice relating to an event the fact of which, pursuant to this Indenture, requires notice to be sent to the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely on its failure to receive such notice as reason to act as if no such event occurred unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless the Trustee has otherwise received written notice thereof; and

(g) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default hereunder unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless the Trustee shall have been notified in writing of such Event of Default by the Issuer or a Holder of Debt Securities of such series.

 

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None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Except as explicitly specified otherwise herein, Issuer will be responsible for making all calculations required under this Indenture and the Debt Securities. Issuer will make such calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, Issuer’s calculations will be final and binding on Holders of the Debt Securities. Issuer will provide a schedule of its calculations to the Trustee, and the Trustee is entitled to rely upon the accuracy of Issuer’s calculations without independent verification. The Trustee will forward Issuer’s calculations to any Holder of the Debt Securities upon request.

Section 7.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01 hereof:

(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, Note, coupon or other paper or document (whether in its original, facsimile or electronic form) believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer;

(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance on and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

(d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;

(e) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney;

 

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(f) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed by it with due care hereunder;

(g) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(h) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;

(i) the Trustee may request that the Issuer deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;

(j) any permissive right or authority granted to the Trustee shall not be construed as a mandatory duty;

(k) the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for punitive, special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of actions; and

(l) the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; and acts of civil or military authorities and governmental action.

Section 7.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, etc. The recitals contained herein and in the underlying Debt Securities (except in the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of any Debt Securities or the proceeds of any Debt Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

Section 7.04. Trustee, Paying Agents or Note Registrar May Own Debt Securities. The Trustee, any Paying Agent or Note Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent or Note Registrar.

 

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Section 7.05. Monies to Be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02 hereof, all monies received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received. Monies held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any monies received by it hereunder except as may be agreed in writing from time to time by the Issuer and the Trustee.

Section 7.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. The Issuer covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in any capacity (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as mutually agreed to from time to time in writing between the Issuer and the Trustee, and the Issuer will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances reasonably incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence, willful misconduct, recklessness or bad faith. The Issuer also covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (or any officer, director or employee of the Trustee), in any capacity under this Indenture and any authenticating agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or reasonable expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence, willful misconduct, recklessness or bad faith on the part of the Trustee or such officers, directors, employees or authenticating agent, as the case may be, and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or in any other capacity hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer, any Holder or any other Person) of liability in the premises. The obligations of the Issuer under this Section 7.06 to compensate or indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Debt Securities of such series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular such Debt Securities. The obligation of the Issuer under this Section 7.06 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee and its agents and any authenticating agent incur expenses or render services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), 6.01(f) or 6.01(g) hereof with respect to the Issuer occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute reasonable expenses of administration under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.

Section 7.07. Officers Certificate as Evidence. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01 hereof, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of gross negligence, bad faith, recklessness or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee.

 

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Section 7.08. Conflicting Interests of Trustee. If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

Section 7.09. Eligibility of Trustee. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 (or if such Person is a member of a bank holding company system, its bank holding company shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000). If such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of any supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 7.09 the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.09, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 7.10. Resignation or Removal of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Issuer and to the Holders of Debt Securities. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment sixty (60) calendar days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the Holders, the resigning Trustee may, upon ten (10) Business Days’ notice to the Issuer and the Holders, appoint a successor identified in such notice or may petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or, if any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debt Security for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 6.09 hereof, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:

(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 7.08 hereof after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debt Security for at least six months; or

(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.09 hereof and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any such Noteholder; or

(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;

 

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then, in any such case, the Issuer may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 6.09 hereof, any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debt Security for at least six months may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee; provided, that if no successor Trustee shall have been appointed and have accepted appointment sixty (60) calendar days after either the Issuer or the Holders has removed the Trustee, or the Trustee resigns, the Trustee so removed may petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

(c) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 7.10 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 7.11 hereof.

(d) Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.10, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.06 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

Section 7.11. Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 7.10 hereof shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Issuer and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Issuer or of the successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amount then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06 hereof, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to act. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Issuer shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property and funds held or collected by such trustee as such, except for funds held in trust for the benefit of Holders of particular Debt Securities, to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06 hereof.

No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 7.11 unless, at the time of such acceptance, such successor trustee shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 7.08 hereof and be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.09 hereof.

 

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Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section 7.11, the Issuer (or the former trustee, at the written direction of the Issuer) shall mail (or send by electronic transmission) or cause to be mailed (or sent by electronic transmission) notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to the Holders of Debt Securities at their addresses as they shall appear on the Note Register. If the Issuer fails to mail such notice within ten (10) calendar days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Issuer.

Section 7.12. Succession by Merger. Any organization or entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or exchanged or with which it may be consolidated, or any organization or entity resulting from any merger, conversion, exchange or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any organization or entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor to the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided, that in the case of any organization or entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, such corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 7.08 hereof and eligible under the provisions of Section 7.09 hereof.

In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Debt Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or authenticating agent appointed by such predecessor trustee, and deliver such Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee or any authenticating agent appointed by such successor trustee may authenticate such Debt Securities in the name of the successor trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force that is provided in the Debt Securities or in this Indenture; provided, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Debt Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, exchange or consolidation.

Section 7.13. Preferential Collection of Claims. If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of the claims against the Issuer (or any such other obligor).

ARTICLE 8

RESERVED

ARTICLE 9

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. The Issuer and the Trustee may, from time to time, and at any time enter into a supplemental indenture (a “Supplemental Indenture”) without the consent of the Holders of any series of Notes for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to evidence a successor to the Issuer as obligor;

(b) to add to the covenants of the Issuer for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer in this Indenture or in the Notes;

(c) to add Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes;

 

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(d) to amend or supplement any provisions of this Indenture; provided, that no amendment or supplement shall materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of any Notes then outstanding;

(e) to secure the Notes;

(f) to provide for the acceptance of appointment of a successor Trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under this Indenture by more than one Trustee;

(g) to provide for rights of Holders of Notes if any consolidation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of property or assets of the Issuer occurs;

(h) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture; provided, that this action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Notes in any material respect;

(i) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture and the relevant Supplemental Indenture;

(j) to establish the form or terms of the Debt Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.02;

(k) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any of the Debt Securities; provided, that the action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any material respect; or

(l) to conform the text of this Indenture or the Debt Securities to any provision of the description thereof set forth in the Prospectus to the extent that such provision in the Prospectus was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision in this Indenture or the Debt Securities.

Upon the written request of the Issuer, accompanied by a copy of the resolutions of the Issuer authorizing the execution of any Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer in the execution of any such Supplemental Indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any Supplemental Indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any Supplemental Indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.01 may be executed by the Issuer and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Notes at the time outstanding.

Section 9.02. Supplemental Indenture With Consent of Holders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 8 hereof) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of each series at the time outstanding, the Issuer and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into a Supplemental Indenture for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Notes; provided, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Note affected thereby:

 

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(a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of or any installment of interest on the Notes, reduce the principal amount of, or the rate or amount of interest on, or any premium payable on redemption of, the Notes, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the Holder of the Notes, change the place of payment, or the coin or currency, for payment of principal of or interest on any Note or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the Notes;

(b) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes necessary to modify or amend this Indenture, to waive compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults and their consequences provided in this Indenture, or to reduce the requirements of quorum or change voting requirements set forth in this Indenture;

(c) modify or affect in any manner adverse to the Holders the terms and conditions of the obligations of the Issuer in respect of the due and punctual payments of principal and interest; or

(d) modify any of this Section 9.02 or 6.07 hereof or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of certain past Defaults or certain covenants, except to increase the required percentage to effect the action or to provide that certain other provisions may not be modified or waived without the consent of the Holders of the Notes; or

(e) change the terms of the subordination of the Notes in a manner adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the notes.

Upon the written request of the Issuer, accompanied by a copy of the resolutions of the Issuer authorizing the execution of any Supplemental Indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Noteholders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Noteholders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed Supplemental Indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

Section 9.03 Subordination Unimpaired. This Indenture shall not be amended at any time to alter the subordination, as provided herein, of any of the Notes then outstanding without the written consent of the requisite holders of each series of debt securities representing Senior Indebtedness (as determined in accordance with terms of the instrument governing such Senior Indebtedness) then outstanding that would be adversely affected thereby.

Section 9.04. Effect of Supplemental Indenture. Any Supplemental Indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9 shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect, provided that this Section 9.04 shall not require such Supplemental Indenture or the Trustee to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act prior to the time, if ever, such qualification

 

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is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act or the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, nor shall it constitute any admission or acknowledgment by any party to such Supplemental Indenture that any such qualification is required prior to the time, if ever, such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act or the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. Upon the execution of any Supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of Notes shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder, subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions of any such Supplemental Indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

Section 9.05. Notation on Notes. Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any Supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9 may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such Supplemental Indenture. If the Issuer or the Trustee shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Issuer, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such Supplemental Indenture may, at the Issuer’s expense, be prepared and executed by the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee (or an authenticating agent duly appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 17.11 hereof) and delivered in exchange for the Notes then outstanding, upon surrender of such Notes then outstanding.

Section 9.06. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished to Trustee. Prior to entering into any Supplemental Indenture pursuant to this Article 9, the Trustee shall be provided with an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any Supplemental Indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article 9 and is otherwise authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

ARTICLE 10

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

Section 10.01. Issuer May Consolidate on Certain Terms. Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Issuer with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer), or successive consolidations or mergers in which either the Issuer will be the continuing entity or the Issuer or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property of the Issuer, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer); provided, however, that the following conditions are met:

(a) the Issuer shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than the Issuer) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the transfer of assets shall be domiciled in the United States and shall expressly assume payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Notes and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture;

(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

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(c) either the Issuer or the successor Person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a Supplemental Indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such Supplemental Indenture comply with this Article 10 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

No such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease shall be permitted by this Section 10.01 unless prior thereto the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the Issuer’s obligations hereunder shall remain in full force and effect thereafter.

Section 10.02. Issuer Successor to Be Substituted. Upon any consolidation by the Issuer with or merger of the Issuer into any other Person or any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer to any Person in accordance with Section 10.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Issuer herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released and discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Notes thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 11.01. Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes herein expressly provided for and except as further provided below), and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when (a) either: (1) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 11.04 hereof and (ii) Notes for whose payment monies have theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuer as provided in Section 11.04 hereof) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (2) all such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable, whether at the applicable maturity date, or otherwise, or (ii) are to be called for redemption under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer, and the Issuer, in the case of clause (1) or (2) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee or a Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or any of its Affiliates), as applicable, as trust funds in trust cash in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes which have become due and payable) or to the applicable maturity date or Redemption Date, as the case may be; provided, however, that there shall not exist, on the date of such

 

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deposit, a Default or Event of Default; provided, further, that such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or to which the Issuer is bound; (b) the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer; and (c) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Issuer to the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof shall survive and, if monies shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (2) of clause (a) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Sections 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, and 5.01 hereof and this Article 11, shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full.

Section 11.02. Deposited Monies to Be Held in Trust by Trustee. Subject to Section 11.04 hereof, all monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.05 hereof shall be held in trust for the sole benefit of the Holders, and such monies shall be applied by the Trustee to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer if acting as its own Paying Agent), to the Holders of the particular Notes for the payment or redemption of which such monies have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal, premium, if any, and interest. The Trustee is not responsible to anyone for interest on any deposited funds except as agreed in writing.

Section 11.03. Paying Agent to Repay Monies Held. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.04 hereof, the Trustee or a Paying Agent shall hold in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, all monies deposited with it pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof and shall apply the deposited monies in accordance with this Indenture and the Notes to the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof) and interest on the Notes.

Section 11.04. Return of Unclaimed Monies. The Trustee and each Paying Agent shall pay to the Issuer upon request any monies held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years after a right to such monies have matured; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such payment, may, at the expense of the Issuer, either publish in a newspaper of general circulation in The City of New York, or cause to be mailed (or sent by electronic transmission) to each Holder entitled to such monies, notice that such monies remain unclaimed and that after a date specified therein, which shall be at least thirty (30) calendar days from the date of such mailing or publication, any unclaimed balance of such monies then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer. After payment to the Issuer, Holders entitled to monies must look to the Issuer for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person, and the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall be relieved of all liability with respect to such monies.

Section 11.05. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any monies in accordance with Section 11.02 hereof by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof until such time as the Trustee or the

 

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Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such monies in accordance with Section 11.02 hereof; provided, that if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the monies held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 12

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 12.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 12.

Section 12.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 12.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 12.02, the Issuer will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Debt represented by the outstanding Notes, which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 12.05 hereof and the other sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium on, such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 12.04 hereof;

(b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuer’s obligations in connection therewith; and

(d) this Article 12.

Subject to compliance with this Article 12, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 12.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 12.03 hereof.

Section 12.03. Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 12.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 12.03, the Issuer will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.09, 4.10 and 4.11 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 12.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof)

 

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in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Issuer may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 12.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 12.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(c) and 6.01(d) hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

Section 12.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof:

(a) the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium and interest on, the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be, and the Issuer must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular Redemption Date;

(b) in the case of an election under Section 12.02 hereof, the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that:

(1) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(2) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(c) in the case of an election under Section 12.03 hereof, the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

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(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced), and the granting of liens to secure such borrowings);

(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture and the agreements governing any other indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) to which the Issuer is a party or by which the Issuer is bound;

(f) the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuer with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Issuer with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuer or others; and

(g) the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

Section 12.05. Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 12.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 12.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 12.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Issuer will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 12.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 12 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the request of the Issuer any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 12.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 12.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

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Section 12.06. Repayment to Issuer.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its request or (if then held by the Issuer) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Issuer cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer.

Section 12.07. Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 12.02 or 12.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium or interest on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 13

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 13.01. Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations. No recourse for the payment of the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof) or, premium, if any, or interest on any Global Debt Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer in this Indenture or in any Supplemental Indenture or in any Global Debt Security or Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, limited partner, member, manager, employee, agent, officer, director or Subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries or of any successor thereto, either directly or through the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries or any successor thereto, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Global Debt Securities.

 

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ARTICLE 14

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF NOTES

Section 14.01. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called. A meeting of Holders of Notes may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article 14 to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other act provided by this Indenture or a Supplemental Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Notes.

Section 14.02. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Notes of a series for any purpose specified in Section 14.01 hereof, to be held at such time and at such place in The City of New York, New York as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Notes, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 17.03 hereof, not less than twenty-one (21) nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

(b) In case at any time the Issuer or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Notes of such series for any purpose specified in Section 14.01 hereof, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed notice of or made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within twenty-one (21) days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Issuer or the Holders of Notes in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the City of New York, New York, for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in clause (a) of this Section 14.02.

Section 14.03. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Notes of a series, a Person shall be (a) a Holder of one or more outstanding Notes, or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more outstanding Notes by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Notes shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Issuer and its counsel.

Section 14.04. Quorum; Action. The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of such Notes; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at the meeting with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which may be made, given or taken by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, the Persons holding or representing the specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes will constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Notes, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than ten (10) days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to

 

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the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than ten (10) days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 14.02 hereof, except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the outstanding Notes which shall constitute a quorum.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.02 hereof, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.02 hereof, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Notes duly held in accordance with this Section 14.04 shall be binding on all the Holders of Notes, whether or not such Holders were present or represented at the meeting.

Section 14.05. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Notes in regard to proof of the holding of Notes and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Notes shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 8.03 hereof and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 8.01 hereof.

(a) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Issuer or by Holders of Notes as provided in Section 14.02(b) hereof, in which case the Issuer or the Holders of Notes calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of such series represented at the meeting.

(b) At any meeting, each Holder of a Note or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $2,000 principal amount of Notes held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Note challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Note or proxy.

 

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(c) Any meeting of Holders of Notes duly called pursuant to Section 14.02 hereof at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 14.06. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Notes shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Notes or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the outstanding Notes held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in triplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Notes shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 14.02 hereof and, if applicable, Section 14.04 hereof. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Issuer and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

ARTICLE 15

SUBORDINATION OF NOTES

Section 15.01. Agreement of Subordination. The Issuer covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Notes issued hereunder by his or her acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that all Notes shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article 15; and each Noteholder, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions.

The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all Notes issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred.

The provisions of this Article 15 define the subordination of the Notes, as obligations of the Issuer, with respect to Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, as defined for the Issuer.

No provision of this Article 15 shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default hereunder.

Section 15.02. Payments to Noteholders. In the event and during the continuation of any default in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer continuing beyond the period of grace, if any, specified in the instrument or lease evidencing such Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, then, unless and until such default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist, no payment shall be made by the Issuer with respect to the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes.

 

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Upon any payment by the Issuer, or distribution of assets of the Issuer of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Issuer, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due or to become due upon all Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made on account of the principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Notes (except payments made pursuant to Article 11 hereof from monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant thereto prior to the happening of such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization); and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization any payment by the Issuer, or distribution of assets of the Issuer of and kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the holders of the Notes or the Trustee would be entitled, except for the provisions of this Article 15, shall (except as aforesaid) be paid by the Issuer or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders of the Notes or by the Trustee under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer held by such holders, as calculated by the Issuer) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer in full, in money or money’s worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders of the Notes or to the Trustee.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Issuer of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes before all Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Issuer, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer in full in money in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

 

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For purposes of this Article 15, the words, “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Issuer as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Issuer or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article 15 with respect to the Notes to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer which may at the time be outstanding; provided that (i) the Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer (other than leases) and of leases which are assumed are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Issuer with, or the merger of the Issuer into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Issuer following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article 10 hereof shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 15.02 if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article 10 hereof. Nothing in this Section 15.02 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.06.

Section 15.03. Subrogation of Notes. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, the rights of the Holders of the Notes shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Issuer applicable to the Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Notes shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of the Notes or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article 15 no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article 15, to or for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer by Holders of the Notes or the Trustee, shall, as between the Issuer, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, and the Holders of the Notes, be deemed to be a payment by the Issuer to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer. It is understood that the provisions of this Article 15 are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Notes, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, on the other hand.

Nothing contained in this Article 15 or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Notes is intended to or shall impair, as between the Issuer, its creditors other than the holders of its Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Notes, the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Notes the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Notes as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Notes and creditors of the Issuer other than the holders of its Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Note from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article 15 of the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer in respect of cash, property or securities of the Issuer received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

 

50


Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Issuer referred to in this Article 15, the Trustee, and the Holders of the Notes shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Notes, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Issuer, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 15.

Section 15.04. Authorization by Noteholders. Each Holder of a Note by his or her acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee in his or her behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article 15 appoints the Trustee his or her attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 15.05. Notice to Trustee. The Issuer shall give promptly written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of any fact known to the Issuer which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Article 15. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article 15 or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Article 15, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee from the Issuer or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided that if on a date not fewer than three Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such monies may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Note) the Trustee shall not have received, with respect to such monies, the notice provided for in this Section 15.05, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such monies and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it on or after such prior date.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing shall prevent any payment by the Issuer or the Trustee to the Noteholders of monies in connection with a redemption of Notes if (i) notice of such redemption has been given pursuant to Article 3 or Section 11.01 hereof prior to the receipt by the Trustee of written notice as aforesaid, and (ii) such notice of redemption is given not earlier than sixty (60) days before the redemption date.

The Trustee conclusively shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer or a trustee on behalf of any such holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 15, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article 15, and if such evidence is not furnished the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

 

51


Section 15.06. Trustee’s Relation to Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article 15 in respect of any Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer and nothing elsewhere in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.

With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article 15, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer and the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer if it shall pay over or deliver to Holders of Notes, the Issuer or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer shall be entitled by virtue of this Article 15 or otherwise.

Section 15.07. No Impairment of Subordination. No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Issuer or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Issuer with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise be charge with.

Section 15.08. Rights of Trustee. Nothing in this Article 15 shall apply to claims of or payments to, the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06 or Section 11.02.

Section 15.09. Article 15 Applicable to Paying Agents. The term “Trustee” as used in this Article 15, shall (unless the context otherwise requires) be construed as extending to and including the Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if the Paying Agent were named in this Article 15 in addition to in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that Section 15.06 and Section 15.08 shall not apply to the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer if it or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 16

RESERVED

ARTICLE 17

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 17.01. Provisions Binding on Issuers Successors. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements by the Issuer contained in this Indenture shall bind their respective successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

Section 17.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Issuer shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any Person that shall at the time be the lawful sole successor of the Issuer.

 

52


Section 17.03. Addresses for Notices, etc. Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders of Notes on the Issuer shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box, or sent by overnight courier, or sent by telecopier transmission addressed as follows:

To the Issuer:

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

3310 West End Avenue, Suite 700

Nashville, TN 37203

Telecopier No.: (615) 463-7739

Attention: Mr. Todd J. Meredith, President and Chief Executive

cc: Mr. J. Christopher Douglas, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Any notice, direction, request or demand hereunder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited, postage prepaid, by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box, or sent by overnight courier, or sent by telecopier transmission addressed as follows:

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association

Global Corporate Trust Services

101 North First Avenue, Suite 1600

Mailstop LM-AZ-16P

Phoenix, Arizona 85003

Telecopier No.: (602) 257-5433

Attention:

The Trustee, by notice to the Issuer, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

Any notice or communication mailed to a Noteholder shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at such Noteholder’s address as it appears on the Note Register and shall be sufficiently given to such Noteholder if so mailed within the time prescribed.

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Noteholder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

Section 17.04. Governing Law. This Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any laws other than the laws of the State of New York.

 

53


Section 17.05. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent, Certificates to Trustee. Upon any application or demand by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with, and, if requested by the Trustee, an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include: (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in such certificate or opinion is based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, such person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials.

Section 17.06. Legal Holidays. In any case in which the Stated Maturity of interest on or principal of the Notes or the Redemption Date of any Note will not be a Business Day, then payment of such interest on or principal of the Notes need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Stated Maturity or the Redemption Date, and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such date.

Section 17.07. Trust Indenture Act. This Indenture is hereby made subject to, and shall be governed by, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act required to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; provided, that this Section 17.07 shall not require this Indenture or the Trustee to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act prior to the time such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act, nor shall it constitute any admission or acknowledgment by any party to the Indenture that any such qualification is required prior to the time such qualification is in fact required under the terms of the Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included in an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.

Section 17.08. No Security Interest Created. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction in which property of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries is located.

Section 17.09. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any authenticating agent, any Note Registrar and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Notes any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

 

54


Section 17.10. Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 17.11. Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent that shall be authorized to act on its behalf, and subject to its direction, in the authentication and delivery of Notes in connection with the original issuance thereof and transfers and exchanges of Notes hereunder, including under Sections 2.04, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08 and 3.03 hereof, as fully to all intents and purposes as though the authenticating agent had been expressly authorized by this Indenture and those Sections to authenticate and deliver Notes. For all purposes of this Indenture, the authentication and delivery of Notes by the authenticating agent shall be deemed to be authentication and delivery of such Notes “by the Trustee” and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an authenticating agent shall be deemed to satisfy any requirement hereunder or in the Notes for the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. Such authenticating agent shall at all times be a Person eligible to serve as trustee hereunder pursuant to Section 7.09 hereof.

Any corporation into which any authenticating agent may be merged or exchanged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation or exchange to which any authenticating agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of any authenticating agent, shall be the successor of the authenticating agent hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 17.11, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or the authenticating agent or such successor corporation.

Any authenticating agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Issuer. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any authenticating agent by giving written notice of termination to such authenticating agent and to the Issuer. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any authenticating agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 17.11, the Trustee shall either promptly appoint a successor authenticating agent or itself assume the duties and obligations of the former authenticating agent under this Indenture and, upon such appointment of a successor authenticating agent, if made, shall give written notice of such appointment of a successor authenticating agent to the Issuer and shall mail notice of such appointment of a successor authenticating agent to all Holders of Notes as the names and addresses of such Holders appear on the Note Register.

The Issuer agrees to pay to the authenticating agent from time to time such reasonable compensation for its services as shall be agreed upon in writing between the Issuer and the authenticating agent.

The provisions of Sections 7.02, 7.03, 7.04 and 8.03 hereof and this Section 17.11 shall be applicable to any authenticating agent.

Section 17.12. Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Indenture by facsimile or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Indenture.

 

55


The Trustee shall not have any duty to confirm that the person sending any notice, instruction or other communication by electronic transmission (including by e-mail, facsimile transmission, web portal or other electronic methods) is, in fact, a person authorized to do so. Electronic signatures believed by the Trustee to comply with the ESIGN Act of 2000 or other applicable law (including electronic images of handwritten signatures and digital signatures provided by DocuSign, Orbit, Adobe Sign or any other digital signature provider acceptable to the Trustee) shall be deemed original signatures for all purposes. The Issuer assumes all risks arising out of the use of electronic signatures and electronic methods to send communications to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on an unauthorized communication, and the risk of interception or misuse by third parties.

Section 17.13. Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture declared and provided, upon the terms and conditions herein above set forth.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

56


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed.

 

HEALTHCARE REALTY TRUST INCORPORATED

    as Issuer

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

    as Trustee

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Exhibit A

HEALTHCARE REALTY TRUST INCORPORATED

% SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE [______]

No.

CUSIP No.:

ISIN:

$[______]

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, a Maryland corporation (herein called the “Issuer,” which term includes any successor entity under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or its registered assigns, the principal sum of [$______], or such lesser amount as is set forth in the Schedule of Increases or Decreases In Note on the other side of this Note, on [______], at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for that purpose in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, semi-annually on and of each year, commencing, [______], on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate per annum of [__]%, from the [______] or, as the case may be, next preceding the date of this Note to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, unless no interest has been paid or duly provided for on the Notes, in which case from [_____], until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. The Issuer shall pay interest on any Notes in certificated form by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it appears in the Note Register; provided, however, that a Holder of any Notes in certificated form in the aggregate principal amount of more than [$2.0 million] may specify by written notice to the Issuer that it pay interest by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified by the Noteholder in such notice, or on any Global Debt Securities by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee.

The Issuer promises to pay interest on overdue principal, premium, if any, and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) interest at the rate of 1% per annum above the rate borne by the Notes.

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof and the Indenture governing this Note. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed manually by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.

 

A1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this Note to be duly executed.

Dated:

 

HEALTHCARE REALTY TRUST INCORPORATED
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Notes described in the within-named Indenture.

Dated:

 

U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

% SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE [______]

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Issuer, designated as its % Subordinated Notes due [______] (herein called the “Notes”), issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of [______], (herein called the “Indenture”), between the Issuer and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (herein called the “Trustee”), to which Indenture and any indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of the Notes. Defined terms used but not otherwise defined in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture.

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), Section 6.01(f) or Section 6.01(g) with respect to the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes may be declared to be due and payable by either the Trustee or the Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and, upon said declaration the same shall be immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), Section 6.01(f) or Section 6.01(g) of the Indenture occurs with respect to the Issuer, the principal of and premium, if any, and interest accrued and unpaid on all the Notes shall be immediately and automatically due and payable without necessity of further action.

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Issuer and the Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Notes, subject to exceptions set forth in Section 9.02 of the Indenture. Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, waive any past Default or Event of Default, subject to exceptions set forth in the Indenture.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall impair, as among the Issuer and the Holders of the Notes, the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, on and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein and in the Indenture prescribed.

Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.


The Notes are issuable in fully registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and any multiple of $1,000. At the office or agency of the Issuer referred to on the face hereof, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without payment of any service charge but with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration or exchange of Notes, Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of any other authorized denominations.

The Issuer shall have the right to redeem the Notes under certain circumstances as set forth in Section 3.01, Section 3.02 and Section 3.03 of the Indenture.

The Notes are not subject to redemption through the operation of any sinking fund.

No recourse for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer in the Indenture or any supplemental indenture or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, limited partner, member, manager, employee, agent, officer, director or subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries or of any successor thereto, either directly or through the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s subsidiaries or of any successor thereto, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as consideration for, the execution of the Indenture and the issue of this Note.

Exhibit 5

 

LOGO

511 Union Street, Suite 2700 | Nashville, TN 37219 | T 615.244.6380 | F 615.244.6804

Holland & Knight LLP | www.hklaw.com

August 8, 2023

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

3310 West End Avenue, Suite 700

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

 

  Re:

Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special securities counsel to Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “OP”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed by the Company and the OP with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the registration of an indeterminate amount of one or more series of (i) shares of Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), (ii) warrants to purchase Common Stock (the “Common Stock Warrants”), (iii) shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”), (iv) debt securities of the Company (the “Company Debt Securities”), (v) debt securities of the OP (the “OP Debt Securities” and together with the Company Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities”), (vi) guarantees of OP Debt Securities by the Company (the “Guarantees”) and (vii) units consisting of any combination of Common Stock, Common Stock Warrants, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities and/or Guarantees (the “Units” and, together with the Common Stock, the Common Stock Warrants, the Preferred Stock, the Debt Securities and the Guarantees, the “Securities”), all of which Securities may be offered and sold by the Company or, in the case of OP Debt Securities, the OP from time to time as set forth in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”), and as to be set forth in one or more supplements to the Prospectus (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”).

We have assumed that the issuance, sale, amount and terms of the Securities to be offered from time to time will be duly authorized and determined by proper action of the Board of Directors of the Company, which shall be on behalf of the Company and, as applicable, in the Company’s capacity as the general partner of the OP (each, a “Board Action”), and in accordance with (i) the Fifth Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company, as amended through the date hereof (the “Articles of Incorporation”), (ii) the Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, (iii) the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the OP, as amended through the date hereof, (iv) the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the OP, (v) applicable Maryland law and (vi) with respect to the OP Debt Securities, applicable Delaware law. We further assume that (i) any senior Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to one or more senior indentures (each, a “Senior Indenture”) and any subordinated Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to one or more subordinated indentures (each, a “Subordinated Indenture” and, together with each Senior Indenture, an “Indenture”); (ii) any Common Stock Warrants will be issued pursuant to one or more common stock warrant agreements (each, a “Warrant Agreement”) by and between the Company and each recipient of the Common Stock Warrants or, if engaged, the financial institution identified therein as the warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”); and (iii) the Units will be issued pursuant to one or more unit agreements (each, a “Unit Agreement”).

In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon such records, documents and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate in order to express the opinions hereinafter set forth and have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies.

In rendering the following opinion, we express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Maryland General Corporation Law and the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, in each case as in effect on the date hereof, and the federal law of the United States to the extent specifically referred to herein. All opinions expressed are as of the date hereof except where expressly stated otherwise.

 

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Based upon, subject to and limited by the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, as of the date hereof:

(1) Upon due authorization by Board Action of an issuance of the Common Stock, and upon issuance and delivery of certificates for the Common Stock against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of such Board Action, any applicable underwriting agreement or sales agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the shares represented by such certificates will be duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the Company.

(2) When the Common Stock Warrants have been (a) duly established by the related Warrant Agreement, (b) duly authorized and established by applicable Board Action and, to the extent authentication is required by the related Warrant Agreement, duly authenticated by the recipient of the Common Stock Warrant or, if engaged, the Warrant Agent, and (c) duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of such Board Action, any applicable underwriting agreement, the applicable Warrant Agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Common Stock Warrants will be duly authorized and validly issued, and will be the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company in accordance with their terms and entitled to the benefits of the Warrant Agreement, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting a creditor’s rights generally and by principals of equity.

(3) When a series of the Preferred Stock has been duly authorized and established by applicable Board Action in accordance with the terms of the Articles of Incorporation and, upon issuance and delivery of certificates for such series of Preferred Stock against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of such Board Action, any applicable underwriting agreement, and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the shares represented by such certificates will be duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the Company.

(4) When a series of the Debt Securities has been (a) duly established by an Indenture or any supplemental indenture thereto, (b) duly authorized and established by applicable Board Action and duly authenticated by the trustee under such Indenture, and (c) duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company or the OP, as applicable, against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of such Board Action, any applicable underwriting agreement, the Indenture and any applicable supplemental indenture thereto, and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities will be the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company or the OP, as applicable, enforceable against the Company or the OP, as applicable, in accordance with their terms and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting a creditor’s rights generally and by principals of equity.

(5) When a series of the Guarantees has been (a) duly established in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture or any supplemental indenture thereto, (b) duly authorized and established by applicable Board Action, and (c) duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of such Board Action, any applicable underwriting agreement, the Indenture and any applicable supplemental indenture thereto, and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Guarantees will be the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting a creditor’s rights generally and by principals of equity.

(6) With respect to the Units, (a) when the applicable Securities relating to the Units have been duly authorized for issuance, and (b) when a series of the Units has been (i) duly established by the related Unit Agreement, (ii) duly authorized and established by applicable Board Action, and (iii) duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of such Board Action, any applicable underwriting agreement, the applicable Unit Agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or


the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Units will be duly authorized and validly issued, and will be the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company in accordance with their terms and entitled to the benefits of the Unit Agreement, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting a creditor’s rights generally and by principals of equity.

To the extent that the obligations of the Company or the OP, as applicable, under an Indenture may be dependent on such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion that the trustee under such Indenture (the “Trustee”) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that the Trustee is duly qualified to engage in activities contemplated by the Indenture; that the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee and constitutes the legally valid and binding obligation of the Trustee enforceable against the Trustee in accordance with its terms; that the Trustee is in compliance, with respect to acting as a trustee under the Indenture, with all applicable laws and regulations; and that the Trustee has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under the Indenture.

To the extent, if any, that the obligations of the Company under any Warrant Agreement may be dependent on such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion that the applicable Warrant Agent is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that the Warrant Agent is duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by the Warrant Agreement; that the Warrant Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Warrant Agent and constitutes the legally valid and binding obligation of the Warrant Agent enforceable against the Warrant Agent in accordance with its terms; that the Warrant Agent is in compliance, with respect to acting as a Warrant Agent under the Warrant Agreement, with all applicable laws and regulations; and that the Warrant Agent has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under the Warrant Agreement.

We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the delivery of this opinion letter. This opinion letter has been prepared solely for your use in connection with the transmitting for filing of the Registration Statement on the date of this opinion letter and should not be quoted in whole or in part or otherwise be referred to, nor filed with or furnished to any governmental agency or other person or entity, without our prior written consent.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and further consent to the reference to us under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. This consent is not to be construed as an admission that we are a party whose consent is required to be filed with the Registration Statement under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Holland & Knight LLP

HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP

Exhibit 8

 

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511 Union Street, Suite 2700 | Nashville, TN 37219 | T 615.244.6380 | F 615.244.6804

Holland & Knight LLP | www.hklaw.com

August 8, 2023

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

3310 West End Avenue

Nashville, TN 37203

Re:        Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special tax counsel to Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated, a Maryland corporation formerly known as Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. (the “Company”), in connection with the registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed by the Company, with Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership formerly known as Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP (the “Company OP”) as co-registrant, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) relating to the registration of an indeterminate amount of one or more series of (i) shares of Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), (ii) warrants to purchase Common Stock (the “Common Stock Warrants”), (iii) shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”), (iv) debt securities of the Company (the “Company Debt Securities”), (v) debt securities of the Company OP (the “OP Debt Securities” and together with the Company Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities”), (vi) guarantees of OP Debt Securities by the Company (the “Guarantees”) and (vii) units consisting of any combination of Common Stock, Common Stock Warrants, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities and/or Guarantees (the “Units” and, together with the Common Stock, the Common Stock Warrants, the Preferred Stock, the Debt Securities and the Guarantees, the “Securities”), all of which Securities may be offered and sold by the Company from time to time as set forth in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”), and as to be set forth in one or more supplements to the Prospectus.

In connection with the Registration Statement filing, you have requested the opinions set forth below.

The opinions set forth in this letter are based on relevant current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations thereunder (including proposed and temporary Treasury Regulations), and interpretations of the foregoing as expressed in court decisions, applicable legislative history, and the administrative rulings and practices of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), including its practices and policies in issuing private letter rulings, which are not binding on the IRS except with respect to a taxpayer that receives such a ruling, all as of the date hereof. These provisions and interpretations are subject to change, which may or may not be retroactive in effect, and which might result in material modifications of our opinions. Our opinions do not foreclose the possibility of a contrary determination by the IRS or a court of competent jurisdiction, or of a contrary position taken by the IRS or the Treasury Department in regulations or rulings issued in the future. In this regard, an opinion of counsel with respect to an issue represents counsel’s best professional judgment with respect to the outcome on the merits with respect to such issue, if such issue were to be litigated, but an opinion is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and is not a guarantee that the IRS will not assert a contrary position with respect to such issue or that a court will not sustain such a position asserted by the IRS.


August 8, 2023

Page 2

 

In rendering the following opinions, we have examined and relied on the Registration Statement (including the Prospectus), the Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended from time to time and as in effect on the date hereof, the Company’s Fifth Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company, as amended from time to time and as in effect on the date hereof, the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Company OP, as amended from time to time and as in effect on the date hereof, and such other documents and information provided to us by the Company as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinions expressed below. Additionally, we have relied upon the Company’s certificate dated August 8, 2023 (the “Certificate”), setting forth certain factual representations of the Company and the Company OP, including, among other things, the actual and proposed operations of the Company, the Company OP and the entities in which they hold, or have held, a direct or indirect interest. Although we have discussed the Certificate with the officer of the Company and the Company OP executing the Certificate, for purposes of rendering our opinions, we have not made an independent investigation or audit of the facts set forth in the Certificate and the documents reviewed by us. We consequently have relied upon the representations and statements of the Company and the Company OP as described in the Certificate and the documents reviewed by us, and have assumed that the information presented in such documents or otherwise furnished to us is accurate and complete in all material respects. Any material variation or difference in the facts from those set forth in the documents that we have reviewed and upon which we have relied (including, in particular, the Certificate) may adversely affect the conclusions stated herein.

In this regard, we have assumed, with your consent, that as of the date hereof (i) all of the representations and statements set forth in the documents (including, without limitation, the Certificate) we have reviewed are true, correct and complete, and all of the obligations imposed by any such documents on the parties thereto have been and will be performed or satisfied in accordance with their terms; (ii) the genuineness of all signatures (whether manual, electronic or otherwise) and, to the extent that a signature on a document is manifested by electronic or similar means, such signature has been executed or adopted by a signatory with an intent to authenticate and sign the document, the proper execution of all documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of documents submitted to us as copies, and the authenticity of the originals from which any copies were made; (iii) the Company at all times will operate in accordance with its past and proposed method of operation as described in its filings with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as described in the Certificate; and (iv) the Company is a validly organized and duly incorporated corporation under the laws of the State of Maryland.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

1. Commencing with the Company’s taxable year ended December 31, 2007, and through the Company’s taxable year ended December 31, 2022, the Company has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Code, and its current organization and method of operation as described in the Registration Statement (including the Prospectus) and the Certificate has enabled it, and its proposed method of operation will continue to enable it, to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for its taxable year ending December 31, 2023, and subsequent taxable years.


August 8, 2023

Page 3

 

2. The statements made in the section of the Prospectus under the caption “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” insofar as they purport to summarize certain provisions of the statutes or regulations referred to therein, are accurate summaries in all material respects.

The opinions set forth above represent our conclusions based upon the documents, facts, representations and assumptions referred to above. Any material amendments to such documents, changes in any significant facts or inaccuracy of such representations or assumptions could affect the opinions referred to herein. Moreover, the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code depends upon the ability of the Company to meet for each taxable year, through actual annual operating results, requirements under the Code regarding gross income, assets, distributions and diversity of stock ownership. We have not undertaken, and will not undertake, to review the Company’s compliance with these requirements on a continuing basis. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the Company’s operations, the sources of its income, the nature of its assets, the level of its distributions to shareholders and the diversity of its share ownership for any given taxable year will satisfy the requirements under the Code for qualification and taxation as a REIT. Although we have made such inquiries and performed such investigations as we have deemed necessary to fulfill our professional responsibilities as special tax counsel and nothing has come to our attention which calls into question the accuracy of the facts referred to herein or the representations set forth in the Certificate, we have not undertaken an independent investigation of all of the facts referred to in this opinion letter or the Certificate.

This opinion letter addresses only the specific federal income tax matters set forth above and does not address any other federal, state, local or foreign tax issues. This opinion letter has been prepared for your use in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement and speaks as of the date hereof. This opinion letter may not be relied upon by any person other than you or for any other purpose without our prior written consent. We assume no obligation by reason of this opinion letter or otherwise to advise you of any changes in our opinions subsequent to the delivery of this opinion letter but agree to do so from time to time upon specific request from you for an update or confirmation.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the headings “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

Sincerely yours,
/s/ Holland & Knight LLP
HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

Nashville, Tennessee

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement of our reports dated March 1, 2023, relating to the consolidated financial statements and schedules and the effectiveness of Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated’s internal control over financial reporting, of Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated appearing in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

We also consent to the reference to us under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus.

/s/ BDO USA, P.A.

Nashville, Tennessee

August 8, 2023

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our reports dated March 1, 2022 relating to the financial statements of Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. and subsidiaries and the effectiveness of Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2021. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Tempe, Arizona

August 8, 2023

Exhibit 23.3

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated March 1, 2022 relating to the financial statements of Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP and subsidiaries appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP for the year ended December 31, 2021. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Tempe, Arizona

August 8, 2023

Exhibit 107

Calculation of Filing Fee Tables

Form S-3

(Form Type)

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

and

Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities

 

                         
     Security
Type
 

Security

Class

Title

  Fee
Calculation
or Carry
Forward
Rule
 

Amount

Registered

  Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Unit
  Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price
  Fee
Rate
  Amount of
Registration
Fee
 

Carry

Forward

Form

Type

 

Carry

Forward

File

Number

 

Carry

Forward

Initial

Effective

Date

 

Filing Fee

Previously

Paid In

Connection
with

Unsold

Securities

to be

Carried

Forward

 
Newly Registered Securities*
                         

Fees to Be Paid:

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated

  Equity   Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share   456(b) and 457(r)   (1)   (1)   (1)   (2)   (2)        
  Equity   Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share   456(b) and 457(r)   (1)   (1)   (1)   (2)   (2)        
  Debt   Debt Securities   456(b) and 457(r)                                    
  Other   Guarantees of Debt Securities of Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P. (4)   456(b) and 457(r)   (1)   (1)   (1)   (2)   (2)        
  Other   Warrants   456(b) and 457(r)   (1)   (1)   (1)   (2)   (2)        
  Other   Units (3)   456(b) and 457(r)   (1)   (1)   (1)   (2)   (2)        
                         

Fees to Be

Paid:

Healthcare Realty
Holdings, L.P.

  Debt   Debt Securities   456(b) and 457(r)   (1)   (1)   (1)   (2)   (2)        
                         

Fees

Previously

Paid:

  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A
 
Carry Forward Securities
                         

Carry

Forward

Securities

  Equity   Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share   415(a)(6)       $750,000,000       S-3ASR (2)   333-253600 (2)   February 26, 2021 (2)   $81,825 (2)
                   
    Total Offering Amounts          (1)          
                   
    Total Fees Previously Paid                   
                   
    Total Fee Offsets                   
                   
    Net Fee Due                               

 

(1)

An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities.

(2)

In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the registrants are deferring payment of all of the registration fees. Registration fees will be paid subsequently on a pay as you go basis. Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated (formerly known as Healthcare Trust of America, Inc.) previously registered shares of common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $750,000,000, offered by means of a 424(b)(5) prospectus supplement, dated March 5, 2021, pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-253600), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2021. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act, the $81,825 filing fee previously paid in connection with such unsold shares (based on the filing fee rate in effect at the time such shares were initially registered) will continue to be applied to such unsold shares. The offering of the unsold shares under the prior registration statement will be deemed terminated as of the date of effectiveness of this registration statement.

(3)

Each unit will consist of two or more securities. The applicable prospectus supplement relating to the units will describe the terms of any units issued by Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated.

(4)

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated may fully and unconditionally guarantee the payment of principal of and premium (if any) and interest on debt securities offered by Healthcare Realty Holdings, L.P. No separate consideration will be received for the guarantees. Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act, no separate fee is payable with respect to the guarantees being registered hereby.


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