FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF EL PASO PIPELINE GP COMPANY, L.L.C. A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY DATED AS OF , 2007
Β
ExhibitΒ 3.4
Β
FORM OF
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
EL PASO PIPELINE GP COMPANY, L.L.C.
A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
DATED AS OF
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β , 2007
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
EL PASO PIPELINE GP COMPANY, L.L.C.
A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
DATED AS OF
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β , 2007
Β
Β
Β
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β |
ArticleΒ I Definitions |
Β | Β | 4 | Β |
SECTION 1.01 DEFINITIONS |
Β | Β | 4 | Β |
SECTION 1.02 Construction |
Β | Β | 10 | Β |
Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
ArticleΒ II Organization |
Β | Β | 10 | Β |
SECTION 2.01 Formation |
Β | Β | 10 | Β |
SECTION 2.02 Name |
Β | Β | 10 | Β |
SECTION 2.03 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office |
Β | Β | 10 | Β |
SECTION 2.04 Purposes |
Β | Β | 10 | Β |
SECTION 2.05 Term |
Β | Β | 11 | Β |
SECTION 2.06 No State Law Partnership |
Β | Β | 11 | Β |
SECTION 2.07 Title to Company Assets |
Β | Β | 11 | Β |
SECTION 2.08 Certain Undertakings Relating to Separateness |
Β | Β | 11 | Β |
SECTION 2.09 Liability of Members, Directors And Officers |
Β | Β | 12 | Β |
Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
ArticleΒ III Membership |
Β | Β | 12 | Β |
SECTION 3.01 Membership Interests; Additional Members |
Β | Β | 12 | Β |
SECTION 3.02 Access To Information |
Β | Β | 13 | Β |
SECTION 3.03 Liability |
Β | Β | 13 | Β |
SECTION 3.04 Resignation |
Β | Β | 13 | Β |
Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
ArticleΒ IV Capital Contributions |
Β | Β | 13 | Β |
SECTION 4.01 Initial Capital Contributions |
Β | Β | 13 | Β |
SECTION 4.02 Loans |
Β | Β | 14 | Β |
SECTION 4.03 Return of Contributions |
Β | Β | 14 | Β |
SECTION 4.04 Capital Accounts |
Β | Β | 14 | Β |
Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
ArticleΒ V Distributions And Allocations |
Β | Β | 14 | Β |
SECTION 5.01 Allocations for Capital Account Purposes |
Β | Β | 14 | Β |
SECTION 5.02 Tax Allocations |
Β | Β | 15 | Β |
SECTION 5.03 Distributions |
Β | Β | 15 | Β |
SECTION 5.04 Varying Interests |
Β | Β | 16 | Β |
SECTION 5.05 Limitations on Distributions |
Β | Β | 16 | Β |
Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
ArticleΒ VI Management |
Β | Β | 16 | Β |
SECTION 6.01 Management by Board of Directors |
Β | Β | 16 | Β |
SECTION 6.02 Number; Qualification; Tenure |
Β | Β | 16 | Β |
SECTION 6.03 Regular Meetings |
Β | Β | 17 | Β |
SECTION 6.04 Special Meetings |
Β | Β | 17 | Β |
SECTION 6.05 Notice |
Β | Β | 17 | Β |
SECTION 6.06 Action By Consent of Board or Committee of Board |
Β | Β | 17 | Β |
SECTION 6.07 Conference Telephone Meetings |
Β | Β | 17 | Β |
SECTION 6.08 Quorum |
Β | Β | 18 | Β |
SECTION 6.09 Vacancies; Increases in the Number of Directors |
Β | Β | 18 | Β |
SECTION 6.10 Committees |
Β | Β | 18 | Β |
-i-
Β
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β |
SECTION 6.11 Removal |
Β | Β | 19 | Β |
SECTION 6.12 Compensation of Directors |
Β | Β | 19 | Β |
Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
ArticleΒ VII Officers |
Β | Β | 19 | Β |
SECTION 7.01 Appointed Officers |
Β | Β | 19 | Β |
SECTION 7.02 Election and Term of Office |
Β | Β | 20 | Β |
SECTION 7.03 Chairman of the Board |
Β | Β | 20 | Β |
SECTION 7.04 Chief Executive Officer |
Β | Β | 20 | Β |
SECTION 7.05 President |
Β | Β | 20 | Β |
SECTION 7.06 Chief Financial Officer |
Β | Β | 21 | Β |
SECTION 7.07 Chief Operating Officer |
Β | Β | 21 | Β |
SECTION 7.08 Vice Presidents |
Β | Β | 21 | Β |
SECTION 7.09 Treasurer |
Β | Β | 21 | Β |
SECTION 7.10 Secretary |
Β | Β | 21 | Β |
SECTION 7.11 Powers of Attorney |
Β | Β | 22 | Β |
SECTION 7.12 Delegation of Authority |
Β | Β | 22 | Β |
SECTION 7.13 Expenses |
Β | Β | 22 | Β |
SECTION 7.14 Removal |
Β | Β | 22 | Β |
SECTION 7.15 Vacancies |
Β | Β | 22 | Β |
Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
ArticleΒ VIII Member Meetings |
Β | Β | 22 | Β |
SECTION 8.01 Meetings |
Β | Β | 22 | Β |
SECTION 8.02 Notice of a Meeting |
Β | Β | 23 | Β |
SECTION 8.03 Action by Consent of Members |
Β | Β | 23 | Β |
SECTION 8.04 Member Vote |
Β | Β | 23 | Β |
SECTION 8.05 In the Event of a Sole Member |
Β | Β | 23 | Β |
Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
ArticleΒ IX Outside Activities and Indemnification of Directors, Officers,
Employees and Agents |
Β | Β | 23 | Β |
SECTION 9.01 Outside Activities |
Β | Β | 23 | Β |
SECTION 9.02 Indemnification |
Β | Β | 24 | Β |
SECTION 9.03 Exculpation of Liability of Indemnitees |
Β | Β | 26 | Β |
SECTION 9.04 Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and
Modification of Duties |
Β | Β | 26 | Β |
Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
ArticleΒ X Taxes |
Β | Β | 27 | Β |
SECTION 10.01 Tax Returns |
Β | Β | 27 | Β |
SECTION 10.02 Tax Elections |
Β | Β | 27 | Β |
SECTION 10.03 Tax Matters Member |
Β | Β | 28 | Β |
Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
ArticleΒ XI Books, Records, Reports, and Bank Accounts |
Β | Β | 28 | Β |
SECTION 11.01 Maintenance of Books |
Β | Β | 28 | Β |
SECTION 11.02 Reports |
Β | Β | 28 | Β |
SECTION 11.03 Bank Accounts |
Β | Β | 29 | Β |
Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
ArticleΒ XII Dissolution, Winding-Up, Termination and Conversion |
Β | Β | 29 | Β |
SECTION 12.01 Dissolution |
Β | Β | 29 | Β |
ii
Β
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β |
SECTION 12.02 Winding-Up and Termination |
Β | Β | 29 | Β |
SECTION 12.03 Deficit Capital Accounts |
Β | Β | 30 | Β |
SECTION 12.04 Certificate of Cancellation |
Β | Β | 30 | Β |
Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
ArticleΒ XIII General Provisions |
Β | Β | 30 | Β |
SECTION 13.01 Offset |
Β | Β | 30 | Β |
SECTION 13.02 Notices |
Β | Β | 31 | Β |
SECTION 13.03 Entire Agreement; Superseding Effect |
Β | Β | 31 | Β |
SECTION 13.04 Effect of Waiver or Consent |
Β | Β | 31 | Β |
SECTION 13.05 Amendment or Restatement |
Β | Β | 32 | Β |
SECTION 13.06 Binding Effect |
Β | Β | 32 | Β |
SECTION 13.07 Governing Law; Severability |
Β | Β | 32 | Β |
SECTION 13.08 Further Assurances |
Β | Β | 32 | Β |
SECTION 13.09 Waiver of Certain Rights |
Β | Β | 33 | Β |
SECTION 13.10 Counterparts |
Β | Β | 33 | Β |
SECTION 13.11 Jurisdiction |
Β | Β | 33 | Β |
iii
Β
AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY AGREEMENT OF EL PASO PIPELINE GP COMPANY, L.L.C.
A Delaware Limited Liability Company
COMPANY AGREEMENT OF EL PASO PIPELINE GP COMPANY, L.L.C.
A Delaware Limited Liability Company
Β Β Β Β Β This AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (this βAgreementβ) of EL PASO
PIPELINE GP COMPANY, L.L.C. (the βCompanyβ), dated as of Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β , 2007, is adopted, executed and
agreed to, for good and valuable consideration, by El Paso Pipeline Holding Company, L.L.C., a
Delaware limited liability company (βHolding Co.β), as the sole member.
RECITALS
Β Β Β Β Β 1.Β The name of the company is βEl Paso Pipeline GP Company, L.L.C.β (the βCompanyβ).
Β Β Β Β Β 2.Β The Company was originally formed as a Delaware limited liability company by the filing of
a Certificate of Formation (the βDelaware Certificateβ), dated as of Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β , 2007 (the
βOriginal Filing Dateβ) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, pursuant to the
Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del.C. Β§ 18-101, et seq. (the
βActβ) with Holding Co. as the sole member.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 1.01 DEFINITIONS. (a)Β As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the
respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the Sections referred to below:
Β Β Β Β Β βActβ has the meaning given such term in the Recitals.
Β Β Β Β Β βAdjusted Capital Accountβ means, with respect to any Member, the balance, if any, in such
Memberβs Capital Account as of the end of the relevant fiscal year, after giving effect to the
following adjustments:
Β Β Β Β Β (i) credit to such Capital Account any amounts that such Member is obligated to restore
pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or pursuant to Treasury RegulationΒ Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) or is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate
sentences of Treasury RegulationΒ SectionsΒ 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5);
Β Β Β Β Β (ii) debit to such Capital Account the items described in Treasury RegulationΒ Sections
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6).
The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of
SectionΒ 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) of the Allocation Regulations and shall be interpreted consistently
therewith.
Β Β Β Β Β βAffiliateβ means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such Person. For the
4
Β
purposes of this definition, βcontrolβ when used with respect to any Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms βcontrollingβ and
βcontrolledβ have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
Β Β Β Β Β βAgreementβ means this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of El Paso
Pipeline GP Company, L.L.C., as amended from time to time.
Β Β Β Β Β βAllocation Regulationsβ means Treasury RegulationΒ SectionsΒ 1.704-1(b), 1.704-2 and 1.704-3
(including temporary regulations), as such regulations may be amended and in effect from time to
time and any corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations.
Β Β Β Β Β βApplicable Lawβ means (a)Β any United States federal, state, local or foreign law, statute,
rule, regulation, order, writ, injunction, judgment, decree or permit of any Governmental Authority
and (b)Β any rule or listing requirement of any applicable national securities exchange or listing
requirement of any national securities exchange or Securities and Exchange Commission recognized
trading market on which securities issued by the Partnership are listed or quoted.
Β Β Β Β Β βAssigneeβ means any Person that acquires a Membership Interest or any portion thereof through
a Disposition; provided, however, that an Assignee shall have no right to be admitted to the
Company as a Member except in accordance with this Agreement. The Assignee of a dissolved Member
is the shareholder, partner, member or other equity owner or owners of the dissolved Member to whom
such Memberβs Membership Interest is assigned by the Person conducting the liquidation or winding
up of such Member. The Assignee of a Bankrupt Member is (a)Β the Person or Persons (if any) to whom
such Bankrupt Memberβs Membership Interest is assigned by order of the bankruptcy court or other
Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such Bankruptcy, or (b)Β in the event of a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors, the creditor to which such Membership Interest is
assigned.
Β Β Β Β Β βAudit Committeeβ has the meaning given such term in SectionΒ 6.10(b)
Β Β Β Β Β βBankruptcyβ or βBankruptβ means, with respect to any Person, that (a)Β such Person (i)Β makes a
general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (ii)Β files a voluntary bankruptcy petition; (iii)
becomes the subject of an order for relief or is declared insolvent in any federal or state
bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings; (iv)Β files a petition or answer seeking for such Person a
reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief
under any Applicable Law; (v)Β files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the
material allegations of a petition filed against such Person in a proceeding of the type described
in subclauses (i)Β through (iv)Β of this clause (a); or (vi)Β seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the
appointment of a trustee, receiver or liquidator of such Person or of all or any substantial part
of such Personβs properties; or (b)Β a proceeding seeking reorganization, arrangement, composition,
readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under any Applicable Law has been
commenced against such Person and 120 Days have expired without dismissal thereof or with respect
to which, without such Personβs consent or acquiescence, a
trustee, receiver or liquidator of such Person or of all or any substantial part of such
Personβs properties has been appointed and 90 Days have expired without the appointmentβs having
been
5
Β
vacated or stayed, or 90 Days have expired after the date of expiration of a stay, if the
appointment has not previously been vacated.
Β Β Β Β Β βBoardβ has the meaning given such term in SectionΒ 6.01.
Β Β Β Β Β βBusiness Dayβ means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day when banks in New York,
New York or Houston, Texas are authorized or required by Applicable Law to be closed.
Β Β Β Β Β βCapital Accountβ means, with respect to any Member, the account to be maintained by the
Company for each Member in accordance with SectionΒ 4.04.
Β Β Β Β Β βCapital Contributionβ means, with respect to any Member, the amount of money and the net
agreed value of any property (other than money) contributed to the Company by such Member. Any
reference in this Agreement to the Capital Contribution of a Member shall include a Capital
Contribution of its predecessors in interest.
Β Β Β Β Β βCarrying Valueβ means, (a)Β with respect to property contributed to the Company, the fair
market value of such property at the time of contribution reduced (but not below zero) by all
depreciation, depletion (computed as a separate item of deduction), amortization and cost recovery
deductions charged to the Membersβ Capital Accounts, (b)Β with respect to any property whose value
is adjusted pursuant to the Allocation Regulations, the adjusted value of such property reduced
(but not below zero) by all depreciation and cost recovery deductions charged to the Membersβ
Capital Accounts and (c)Β with respect to any other Company Property, the adjusted basis of such
property for federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination.
Β Β Β Β Β βChange of Controlβ means, with respect to the Company, (i)Β the consolidation or merger of the
Company with or into another Person pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Membership
Interests of the Company are changed into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property,
other than any such transaction where (a)Β the outstanding Membership Interests of the Company are
changed into or exchanged for Voting Securities of the surviving entity or its parent and (b)Β the
holders of Membership Interests of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own, directly
or indirectly, not less than a majority of the outstanding Voting Securities of the surviving
entity or its parent immediately after such transaction or (ii)Β a βpersonβ or βgroupβ (within the
meaning of Sections Β 13(d) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) being or becoming the βbeneficial
ownerβ (as defined in RulesΒ 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of all of the
then outstanding Membership Interests of the Company, except in a merger or consolidation which
would not constitute a Change of Control under clauseΒ (i) above.
Β Β Β Β Β βClaimβ means any and all judgments, claims, causes of action, demands, lawsuits, suits,
proceedings, Governmental investigations or audits, losses, assessments, fines, penalties,
administrative orders, obligations, costs, expenses, liabilities and damages (whether actual,
consequential or punitive), including interest, penalties, reasonable attorneysβ fees,
disbursements and costs of investigations, deficiencies, levies, duties and imposts.
Β Β Β Β Β βCodeβ means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
6
Β
Β Β Β Β Β βCommissionβ means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Β Β Β Β Β βCommon Unitsβ means the common units representing limited partner interests in the
Partnership.
Β Β Β Β Β βCompanyβ has the meaning given such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Β Β Β Β Β βCompany Propertyβ means any and all property, both real and personal, tangible and
intangible, whether contributed or otherwise acquired, owned by the Company.
Β Β Β Β Β βConflicts Committeeβ has the meaning given such term in SectionΒ 6.10(c).
Β Β Β Β Β βContribution Agreementβ means the Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, dated
the date hereof, among Holding Co., the Company, the Partnership and the other parties thereto.
Β Β Β Β Β βDayβ means a calendar day; provided, however, that, if any period of Days referred to in this
Agreement shall end on a Day that is not a Business Day, then the expiration of such period shall
be automatically extended until the end of the next succeeding Business Day.
Β Β Β Β Β βDelaware Certificateβ has the meaning given such term in the Recitals.
Β Β Β Β Β βDirectorβ or βDirectorsβ has the meaning given such term in SectionΒ 6.02.
Β Β Β Β Β βDispose,β βDisposingβ or βDispositionβ means, with respect to any asset (including a
Membership Interest or any portion thereof), a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, gift,
exchange or other disposition of such asset, whether such disposition be voluntary, involuntary or
by operation of Applicable Law.
Β Β Β Β Β βDissolution Eventβ has the meaning given such term in SectionΒ 12.01(a).
Β Β Β Β Β βEncumber,β βEncumberingβ or βEncumbranceβ means the creation of a security interest, lien,
pledge, mortgage or other encumbrance, whether such encumbrance be voluntary, involuntary or by
operation of Applicable Law.
Β Β Β Β Β βGAAPβ means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time
during the term of this Agreement.
Β Β Β Β Β βGovernmental Authorityβ or βGovernmentalβ means any federal, state, local or foreign court or
governmental or regulatory agency or authority or any arbitration board, tribunal or mediator
having jurisdiction over the Company or its assets or Members.
Β Β Β Β Β βGroup Memberβ means a member of the Partnership Group.
Β Β Β Β Β βGroup Member Agreementβ means the partnership agreement of any Group Member, other than the
Partnership, that is a limited or general partnership, the limited liability company agreement of
any Group Member that is a limited liability company, the certificate of
7
Β
incorporation and bylaws
or similar organizational documents of any Group Member that is a corporation, the joint venture
agreement or similar governing document of any Group Member that is a joint venture and the
governing or organizational or similar documents of any other Group Member that is a Person other
than a limited or general partnership, limited liability company, corporation or joint venture, as
such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Β Β Β Β Β βHolding Co.β has the meaning given such term in the Recitals.
Β Β Β Β Β βIncentive Planβ means any plan or arrangement pursuant to which the Company or the
Partnership may compensate its or its Affiliatesβ employees, consultants, directors and/or service
providers, including the LTIP.
Β Β Β Β Β βIndemniteeβ means (a)Β any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the Company (other than the
Partnership and its Subsidiaries), (b)Β any Person who is or was a member, partner, officer,
director, employee, agent or trustee of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, (c)Β any Person
who is or was serving at the request of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company as an officer,
director, employee, member, partner, agent, fiduciary or trustee of another Person; provided, that
a Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee,
fiduciary or custodial services, and (d)Β any Person the Company designates and an βIndemniteeβ for
the purposes of this Agreement.
Β Β Β Β Β βIndependent Directorβ has the meaning given such term in SectionΒ 6.10(b).
Β Β Β Β Β βLTIPβ means the El Paso Pipeline GP Company, L.L.C. Long-Term Incentive Plan, as may be
amended or any equity compensation plan successor thereto.
Β Β Β Β Β βMemberβ means Holding Co. as the sole member of the Company executing this Agreement and any
Person hereafter admitted to the Company as a member as provided in this Agreement, each in its
capacity as a member of the Company, but such term does not include any Person who has ceased to be
a member in the Company. Except as otherwise provided in accordance with SectionΒ 3.01, for
purposes of the Act the Members shall constitute a single class or group of members.
Β Β Β Β Β βMembership Interestβ means, with respect to any Member, (a)Β that Memberβs status as a Member;
(b)Β that Memberβs share of the income, gain, loss, deduction and credits of, and the right to
receive distributions from, the Company; (c)Β all other rights, benefits and privileges enjoyed by
that Member (under the Act, this Agreement or otherwise) in its capacity as a Member, including
that Memberβs rights to vote, consent and approve and otherwise to participate in the management of
the Company; and (d)Β all obligations, duties and liabilities imposed on that Member (under the Act,
this Agreement or otherwise) in its capacity as a Member, including any obligations to make Capital
Contributions.
Β Β Β Β Β βNoticesβ has the meaning given such term in SectionΒ 13.02.
Β Β Β Β Β βNYSEβ has the meaning given such term in SectionΒ 6.02.
8
Β
Β Β Β Β Β βOmnibus Agreementβ means the Omnibus Agreement, dated the date hereof, among the Partnership,
the Company and the other parties thereto.
Β Β Β Β Β βOriginal Filing Dateβ has the meaning given such term in the Recitals.
Β Β Β Β Β βPartnershipβ means El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and any
successors thereto.
Β Β Β Β Β βPartnership Agreementβ means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership
of the Partnership, dated [Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ], 2007, as amended from time to time, or any successor
agreement.
Β Β Β Β Β βPartnership Groupβ means the Partnership and its subsidiaries treated as a single
consolidated entity.
Β Β Β Β Β βPersonβ means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company,
association, joint-stock company, unincorporated organization, joint venture, trust, court,
Governmental agency or any political subdivision thereof, or any other entity.
Β Β Β Β Β βPhase In Periodβ has the meaning given such term in SectionΒ 6.02.
Β Β Β Β Β βRegistered Public Accountantsβ means a firm of independent registered certified public
accountant selected from time to time by the Members.
Β Β Β Β Β βSharing Ratioβ means, subject to adjustments in accordance with this Agreement, (a)Β in the
case of a Member executing this Agreement as of the date of this Agreement or a Person acquiring
such Memberβs Membership Interest, the percentage specified for that Member as its Sharing Ratio on
ExhibitΒ A, and (b)Β in the case of Membership Interests issued pursuant to SectionΒ 3.01, the Sharing
Ratio established pursuant thereto; provided, however, that the total of all Sharing Ratios shall
always equal 100%.
Β Β Β Β Β βSpecial Approvalβ means approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee.
Β Β Β Β Β βSubsidiaryβ has the meaning given such term in the Partnership Agreement.
Β Β Β Β Β βTax Matters Memberβ has the meaning given such term in SectionΒ 10.03.
Β Β Β Β Β βTermβ has the meaning given such term in SectionΒ 2.05.
Β Β Β Β Β βTreasury Regulationsβ means the regulations (including temporary regulations) promulgated by
the United States Department of the Treasury pursuant to and in respect of provisions of the Code.
All references herein to sections of the Treasury Regulations shall include any corresponding
provision or provisions of succeeding, similar or substitute, temporary or final, Treasury
Regulations.
9
Β
Β Β Β Β Β βVoting Securitiesβ means securities of any class of a Person entitling the holders thereof to
vote in the election of, or to appoint, members of the board of directors or other similar
governing body of such Person.
Β Β Β Β Β βWithdraw,β βWithdrawingβ or βWithdrawalβ means the withdrawal, resignation or retirement of a
Member from the Company as a Member.
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β Other terms defined herein have the meanings so given them.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 1.02 Construction.
Β Β Β Β Β Unless the context requires otherwise, (a)Β the gender of all words used in this Agreement
includes the masculine, feminine and neuter, (b)Β the singular forms of nouns, pronouns and verbs
shall include the plural and vice versa, (c)Β all references to Articles and Sections refer to
articles and sections in this Agreement, each of which is made a part for all purposes and (d)Β the
term βincludeβ or βincludesβ means includes, without limitation, and βincludingβ means including,
without limitation.
ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 2.01 Formation.
Β Β Β Β Β The Company was formed as a Delaware limited liability company by the filing of the Delaware
Certificate, dated as of the Original Filing Date, with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware pursuant to the Act.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 2.02 Name.
Β Β Β Β Β The name of the Company is βEl Paso Pipeline GP Company, L.L.C.β and all Company business must
be conducted in that name or such other names that comply with Applicable Law as the Board may
select.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 2.03 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office.
Β Β Β Β Β The name of the Companyβs registered agent for service of process is The Corporation Trust
Company, and the address of the Companyβs registered office in the State of Delaware is 0000 Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000. The principal place of business of the
Company shall be located at The El Paso Building, 0000 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 . The Board
may change the Companyβs registered agent or the location of the Companyβs registered office or
principal place of business as the Board may from time to time determine.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 2.04 Purposes.
Β Β Β Β Β (a)Β The purposes of the Company are to act as the general partner of the Partnership as
described in the Partnership Agreement and to engage in any lawful business or activity
10
Β
ancillary or related thereto. The Company shall possess and may exercise all the powers and
privileges granted by the Act, by any other law or by this Agreement, together with any powers
incidental thereto, including such powers and privileges as are necessary or appropriate to the
conduct, promotion or attainment of the business, purposes or activities of the Company.
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company is hereby authorized to
execute, deliver and perform, and any Member, Director or officer of the Company on behalf of the
Company, is hereby authorized to execute and deliver the Partnership Agreement, the Contribution
Agreement, the Omnibus Agreement and any documents contemplated thereby or related thereto and any
amendments to any such documents, all without any vote or consent of any member or any other
Person.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 2.05 Term.
Β Β Β Β Β The period of existence of the Company (the βTermβ) commenced on the Original Filing Date and
shall end at such time as a certificate of cancellation is filed with the Secretary of State of
Delaware in accordance with SectionΒ 12.04.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 2.06 No State Law Partnership.
Β Β Β Β Β The Members intend that the Company not be a partnership (including a limited partnership) or
joint venture, and that no Member be a partner or joint venturer of any other Member, for any
purposes other than federal, state, local and foreign income tax purposes, and this Agreement may
not be construed to suggest otherwise.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 2.07 Title to Company Assets.
Β Β Β Β Β Title to Company assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible,
shall be deemed to be owned by the Company as an entity, and no Member shall have any ownership
interest in such Company assets or portion thereof.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 2.08 Certain Undertakings Relating to Separateness.
Β Β Β Β Β (a)Β Separateness Generally. The Company shall conduct its business and operations in
accordance with this SectionΒ 2.08.
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β Separate Records. The Company shall: (i)Β maintain its books and records and its accounts
separate from those of any other Person, (ii)Β maintain its financial records, which will be used by
it in the ordinary course of business, showing its assets and liabilities separate and apart from
those of any other Person, except its consolidated Subsidiaries, (iii)Β not have its assets and/or
liabilities included in a consolidated financial statement of any Affiliate of the Company unless
appropriate notation shall be made on such Affiliateβs consolidated financial statements to
indicate the separateness of the Company and its assets and liabilities from such Affiliate and the
assets and liabilities of such Affiliate, and to indicate that the assets and liabilities of the
Company are not available to satisfy the debts and other obligations of such Affiliate, and (iv)
file its own tax returns separate from those of any other Person, except (A)Β to the extent that the
Company (x)Β is treated as a βdisregarded entityβ for tax purposes or (y)Β is not otherwise
required to file tax returns under applicable law or (B)Β as may otherwise be required by applicable
law.
11
Β
Β Β Β Β Β (c)Β Separate Assets. The Company shall not commingle or pool its funds or other assets with
those of any other Person, and shall maintain its assets in a manner that is not costly or
difficult to segregate, ascertain or otherwise identify as separate from those of any other Person.
Β Β Β Β Β (d)Β No Effect. Failure by the Company to comply with any of the obligations set forth above
shall not affect the status of the Company as a separate legal entity, with its separate assets and
separate liabilities or restrict or limit the Company from engaging or contracting with Holding Co.
and its Affiliates for the provision of services or the purchase or sale of products, whether under
the Omnibus Agreement or otherwise.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 2.09 Liability of Members, Directors And Officers.
Β Β Β Β Β To the fullest extent
permitted by law, no Member, Director or Officer, solely by reason of
being a Member, Director or Officer, shall be liable, under a judgment, decree or order of a court,
or in any other manner, for a debt, obligation or liability of the Company or the Partnership,
whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, for the acts or omissions of any other Member,
Director, Officer, agent or employee of the Company or its Affiliates. To the fullest extent
permitted by law, the failure of the Company (acting in its own capacity or as the general partner
of the Partnership) to observe any formalities or requirements relating to the exercise of its
powers or management of its (or the Partnershipβs) business or affairs shall not be grounds for
imposing liability for any such debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company or the
Partnership.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 3.01 Membership Interests; Additional Members.
Β Β Β Β Β Holding Co. is the sole initial Member of the Company, as reflected in ExhibitΒ A
hereto and was admitted to the Company upon its execution of a counterpart signature page to the
limited liability company agreement of the Company. Additional Person(s) may be admitted to the
Company as Members upon the unanimous approval of the existing Members, without any approval of the
Board, on such terms and conditions as the Members determine at the time of such admission. The
terms of admission or issuance must specify the Sharing Ratios applicable thereto and may provide
for the creation of different classes or groups of Members having different rights, powers and
duties, including rights, powers and duties that are senior in preference to existing Members. The
Members may reflect the creation of any new class or group in an amendment to this Agreement
indicating the different rights, powers and duties, and such an amendment shall be approved and
executed by the Members. Any such admission is effective only after such new Member has executed
and delivered to the Members and the Company an instrument containing the notice address of the new
Member and such new Memberβs ratification of this Agreement and agreement to be bound by it. Upon
the admission of a new Member, ExhibitΒ A will be updated to reflect such admission.
12
Β
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 3.02 Access To Information.
Β Β Β Β Β Each Member shall be entitled to receive any information that it may request concerning the
Company upon reasonable demand for any purpose reasonably related to such Memberβs interest in the
Company; provided, however, that this SectionΒ 3.02 shall not obligate the Company to create any
information that does not already exist at the time of such request (other than to convert existing
information from one medium to another, such as providing a printout of information that is stored
in a computer database). Each Member shall also have the right, upon reasonable notice and at all
reasonable times during usual business hours, for any purpose reasonably related to such Members
interest in the Company, to inspect the properties of the Company and to audit, examine and make
copies of the books of account and other records of the Company. Such right may be exercised
through any agent or employee of such Member designated in writing by it or by an independent
public accountant, engineer, attorney or other consultant so designated. All costs and expenses
incurred in any inspection, examination or audit made on such Memberβs behalf shall be borne by
such Member.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 3.03 Liability.
Β Β Β Β Β Except as otherwise required under the Act, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the
Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and
liabilities of the Company, and no Member or Assignee shall be personally liable for or otherwise
obligated with respect to any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company by reason of being
a Member or Assignee. The Members and Assignees agree that the rights, duties and obligations of
the Members and Assignees in their capacities as such are only as set forth in this Agreement and
as otherwise arise under the Act. Furthermore, the Members and Assignees agree that the existence
of any rights of a Member or Assignee, or the exercise or forbearance from exercise of any such
rights shall not create any duties or obligations of the Member or Assignees in their capacities as
such, nor shall such rights be construed to enlarge or otherwise alter in any manner the duties and
obligations of the Members or Assignees.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 3.04 Resignation.
Β Β Β Β Β A Member does not have the right or power to resign.
ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 4.01 Initial Capital Contributions.
Β Β Β Β Β At the time of the formation of the Company, as reflected on ExhibitΒ A, Holding Co.
made a Capital Contribution in the amount of $1,000 in exchange for all the Membership Interests in
the Company. In addition, on the date hereof, Holding Co. made such additional Capital
Contributions to the Company as are described in the Contribution Agreement. Upon the admission of
a subsequent Member, ExhibitΒ A shall be updated to reflect the Capital Contribution
attributable to such Member. After admission as a Member, no Member shall be obligated to make any
additional capital contributions to the Company.
13
Β
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 4.02 Loans.
Β Β Β Β Β If the Company does not have sufficient cash to pay its obligations, any Member may advance
all or part of the needed funds to or on behalf of the Company. An advance described in this
SectionΒ 4.02 constitutes a loan from the Member to the Company, bears interest at a rate determined
by the Members from the date of the advance until the date of payment and is not a Capital
Contribution.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 4.03 Return of Contributions.
Β Β Β Β Β Except as expressly provided herein, no Member is entitled to the return of any part of its
Capital Contributions or to be paid interest in respect of either its Capital Account or its
Capital Contributions. An unrepaid Capital Contribution is not a liability of the Company or of
any Member. A Member is not required to contribute or to lend any cash or property to the Company
to enable the Company to return any Memberβs Capital Contributions.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 4.04 Capital Accounts.
Β Β Β Β Β A Capital Account shall be established and maintained for each Member in accordance with
Treasury RegulationΒ SectionΒ 1.704-1(b) et. seq., as such regulations may be amended and in effect
from time to time and any corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations.
ARTICLE V
DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 5.01 Allocations for Capital Account Purposes. (a)Β Except as otherwise set
forth in SectionΒ 5.01(b), for purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the
rights of the Members among themselves, the Companyβs items of income, gain, loss and deduction
shall be allocated and charged to the Members in accordance with their respective Sharing Ratios.
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β The following special allocations shall be made prior to making any allocations provided
for in SectionΒ 5.01(a) above:
Β Β Β Β Β (i)Β Qualified Income Offset. Except as provided in SectionΒ 5.01(b)(ii) hereof, in the
event any Member receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in
Treasury RegulationΒ SectionsΒ 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Company income and gain shall be specifically allocated to
such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the
Allocation Regulations, the deficit balance, if any, in such Memberβs Adjusted Capital
Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible.
Β Β Β Β Β (ii)Β Nonrecourse Debt Allocations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section
5.01, each Member shall be allocated items of Company income and gain in
each fiscal year as necessary, in the Boardβs discretion, to comply with the Allocation
Regulations relating to nonrecourse debt.
14
Β
Β Β Β Β Β (iii)Β Gross Income Allocations. In the event any Member has a deficit balance in such
Memberβs Adjusted Capital Account at the end of any Company taxable period, such Member
shall be specially allocated items of Company gross income and gain in the amount of such
excess as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section
5.01(b)(iii) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member would have a deficit
balance in such Memberβs Adjusted Capital Account after all other allocations provided in
this SectionΒ 6.01 have been tentatively made as if SectionΒ 5.01(b)(iii) were not in the
Agreement.
Β Β Β Β Β (iv)Β Code SectionΒ 754 Adjustment. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax
basis of any Company asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required,
pursuant to the Allocation Regulations, to be taken into account in determining Capital
Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item
of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment
decreases such basis), and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the
Members in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required
to be adjusted pursuant to the Allocation Regulations.
Β Β Β Β Β (v)Β Curative Allocation. The special allocations set forth in SectionΒ 5.01(b)(i),
SectionΒ 5.01(b)(ii) and SectionΒ 5.01(b)(iii) (the βRegulatory Allocationsβ) are intended to
comply with the Allocation Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
SectionΒ 5.01, the Regulatory Allocations shall be taken into account in allocating items of
income, gain, loss and deduction among the Members such that, to the extent possible, the
net amount of allocations of such items and the Regulatory Allocations to each Member shall
be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to each Member if the Regulatory
Allocations had not occurred.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 5.02 Tax Allocations.
Β Β Β Β Β For federal income tax purposes, except as otherwise required by the Code, the Allocation
Regulations or the following sentence, each item of Company income, gain, loss, deduction and
credit shall be allocated among the Members in the same manner as corresponding items are allocated
in SectionΒ 5.01. Notwithstanding any provisions contained herein to the contrary, solely for
federal income tax purposes, items of income, depreciation, gain or loss with respect to property
contributed or deemed contributed to the Company by a Member shall be allocated so as to take into
account the variation between the Companyβs tax basis in such contributed property and its Carrying
Value.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 5.03 Distributions.
Β Β Β Β Β Except as otherwise provided in SectionΒ 12.02, cash may be distributed at such time and in
such amounts as the Members shall determine to the Members in accordance with their respective
Sharing Ratios. Such distributions shall be made concurrently to the Members (or
their Assignees) as reflected on the books of the Company on the date set for purposes of such
distribution.
15
Β
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 5.04 Varying Interests.
Β Β Β Β Β All items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit shall be allocated, and all distributions
shall be made, to the Persons shown on the records of the Company to have been Members as of the
last calendar day of the period for which the allocation or distribution is to be made.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if during any taxable year there is a change in any Memberβs Sharing
Ratio, the Members agree that their allocable shares of such items for the taxable year shall be
determined on any method determined by the Members in their sole discretion to be permissible under
Code SectionΒ 706 and the related Treasury Regulations to take account of the Membersβ varying
Sharing Ratios.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 5.05 Limitations on Distributions.
Β Β Β Β Β Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall
not make a distribution to any Member on account of its interest in the Company if such
distribution would violate any Applicable Law.
ARTICLE VI
MANAGEMENT
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 6.01 Management by Board of Directors.
Β Β Β Β Β The business and affairs of the Company shall be fully vested in, and managed by, a Board of
Directors (the βBoardβ) and subject to the discretion of the Board, officers elected pursuant to
ArticleΒ VII. The Directors and officers shall collectively constitute βmanagersβ of the Company
within the meaning of the Act. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the authority and
functions of the Board, on the one hand, and of the officers, on the other hand, shall be identical
to the authority and functions of the board of directors and officers, respectively, of a
corporation organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. The officers
shall be vested with such powers and duties as are set forth in ArticleΒ VII and as are specified by
the Board. Accordingly, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the business
and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction of the Board, and the day-to-day
activities of the Company shall be conducted on the Companyβs behalf by the officers who shall be
agents of the Company.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 6.02 Number; Qualification; Tenure.
Β Β Β Β Β (a)Β The number of directors constituting the Board shall be between three and nine (each a
βDirectorβ and, collectively, the βDirectorsβ), and may be fixed from time to time pursuant to a
resolution adopted by a majority of Directors. A Director need not be a Member. Each Director
shall be elected or approved by the Members at an annual meeting of the Members and shall serve as
a Director of the Company for a term of one year (or their earlier death or removal from office) or
until their successors are elected and qualified.
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β The initial Directors of the Company shall be [Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
Β Β Β Β Β ]. The
Members shall appoint one additional Independent Director within three months of the listing of the
Common Units on the New York
16
Β
Stock Exchange, Inc. (the βNYSEβ) and one additional Independent
Director within 12Β months of such listing or within such other time period as may be required by
the NYSE (the βPhase In Periodβ).
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 6.03 Regular Meetings.
Β Β Β Β Β Regular quarterly and annual meetings of the Board shall be held at such time and place as
shall be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board. Notice of such regular quarterly
and annual meetings shall not be required.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 6.04 Special Meetings.
Β Β Β Β Β A special meeting of the Board may be called at any time at the written request of (a)Β the
Chairman of the Board, (b)Β a majority of the Independent Directors or (c)Β any three Directors.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 6.05 Notice.
Β Β Β Β Β Written notice of all special meetings of the Board must be given to all Directors at least
two Business Days prior to any special meeting of the Board.
Β Β Β Β Β All notices and other communications to be given to Directors shall be sufficiently given for
all purposes hereunder if in writing and delivered by hand, courier or overnight delivery service
or three days after being mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, with
appropriate postage prepaid, or when received in the form of a telegram or facsimile, and shall be
directed to the address or facsimile number as such Director shall designate by notice to the
Company. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special
meeting of the Board need be specified in the notice of such meeting, except for amendments to this
Agreement, as provided herein.
Β Β Β Β Β Attendance of a Director at a meeting shall constitute waiver of notice of such meeting,
except where such Director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the
transaction of business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. A
meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the Directors are present or if those not
present waive notice of the meeting either before or after such meeting.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 6.06 Action By Consent of Board or Committee of Board.
Β Β Β Β Β To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board, or any committee of the Board, may act
without a meeting so long as all members of the Board or committee shall have executed a written
consent with respect to any action taken in lieu of a meeting.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 6.07 Conference Telephone Meetings. Directors or members of any committee of
the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of conference
telephone or similar communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and
such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
17
Β
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 6.08 Quorum.
Β Β Β Β Β A majority of all Directors, present in person or participating in accordance with Section
6.07, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if at any meeting of the Board
there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of the Directors present may adjourn the
meeting from time to time without further notice. Except as otherwise required by Applicable Law,
all decisions of the Board, or any committee of the Board, shall require the affirmative vote of a
majority of all Directors of the Board, or any committee of the Board, respectively. The Directors
present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment,
notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Directors to leave less than a quorum.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 6.09 Vacancies; Increases in the Number of Directors.
Β Β Β Β Β Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of
Directors shall be filled by the Members in their sole discretion. Any Director so chosen shall
hold office until the next annual election and until his successor shall be duly elected and shall
qualify, unless sooner displaced.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 6.10 Committees.
Β Β Β Β Β (a)Β The Board may establish committees of the Board and may delegate any of its
responsibilities, except as otherwise prohibited by Applicable Law, to such committees.
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β The Board shall have an audit committee (the βAudit Committeeβ) comprised of not less than
three Directors in accordance with the rules of the NYSE, all of whom shall be Independent Directors; provided, however, that in accordance
with the rules of the NYSE regarding audit committees, the Audit Committee may initially be
comprised of fewer than three Directors during the Phase In Period. The Audit Committee shall
establish a written audit committee charter in accordance with the rules of the NYSE (or such other
national securities exchange or quotation service on which the common units may be listed), as
amended from time to time. βIndependent Directorβ shall mean a Director meeting the standards
required of directors who serve on an audit committee of a board of directors established by (i)
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission thereunder and (ii)Β the NYSE (or such other national securities exchange or
quotation service on which the Common Units may be listed).
Β Β Β Β Β (c)Β The Board shall have a conflicts committee (the βConflicts Committeeβ) comprised of two or
more Directors, each of whom shall be Independent Directors and none of whom shall be (i)Β security
holders, officers or employees of the Company, (ii)Β officers, directors or employees of any
Affiliate of the Company or (iii)Β holders of any ownership interest in the Partnership or any of
its subsidiaries other than Common Units or awards that may be granted under the LTIP. The
Conflicts Committee shall function in the manner described in the Partnership Agreement.
Β Β Β Β Β (d)Β A majority of any committee, present in person or participating in accordance with Section
6.07, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of such committee.
18
Β
Β Β Β Β Β (e)Β A majority of any committee may determine its action and fix the time and place of its
meetings unless the Board shall otherwise provide. Notice of such meetings shall be given to each
member of the committee in the manner provided for in SectionΒ 6.05. The Board shall have power at
any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee.
Β Β Β Β Β Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the Board from appointing one or more committees
consisting in whole or in part of persons who are not Directors; provided, however, that no such
committee shall have or may exercise any authority of the Board.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 6.11 Removal.
Β Β Β Β Β Any Director or the entire Board may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the
Members.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 6.12 Compensation of Directors.
Β Β Β Β Β Except as expressly provided in any written agreement between the Company and a Director or by
resolution of the Board, no Director shall receive any compensation from the Company for services
provided to the Company in its capacity as a Director, except that each Director shall be
compensated for attendance at Board meetings at rates of compensation as from time to time
established by the Board or a committee thereof; provided, however, that Directors who are also
employees of the Company or any Affiliate thereof shall receive no compensation for their services
as Directors or committee members. In addition, the Directors who are not employees of the Company
or any Affiliate thereof shall be entitled to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs and expenses
incurred in connection with attending meetings of the Board or committees thereof.
ARTICLE VII
OFFICERS
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 7.01 Appointed Officers.
Β Β Β Β Β (a)Β The officers of the Company shall be appointed by, and shall serve at the pleasure of, the
Board. Such officers shall have the authority and duties delegated to each of them, respectively,
by the Board from time to time. The appointed officers of the Company shall be a Chairman of the
Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary, a Treasurer, an Assistant
Secretary and such other officers (including, without limitation, a President, a Chief Operating
Officer, Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents and a General Counsel)
as the Board from time to time may deem proper.
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β The Chairman of the Board shall be chosen from among the Directors. All officers
appointed by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their
respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this ArticleΒ VII. The Board or any
committee thereof may from time to time elect or appoint, as the case may be, such other
officers (including one or more Vice Presidents, Controllers, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant
Treasurers) and agents, as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the
19
Β
Company. Such other officers and agents shall have such duties and shall hold their offices for
such terms as shall be provided in this Agreement or as may be prescribed by the Board or such
committee, as the case may be.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 7.02 Election and Term of Office.
Β Β Β Β Β The officers
of the Company shall be appointed annually by the Board
at the regular meeting of the Board held after the annual meeting of the Members or at such time
and for such term as the Board shall determine. Each officer shall hold office until such personβs
successor shall have been duly appointed and shall have qualified or until such personβs death or
until he shall resign or be removed pursuant to SectionΒ 7.14.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 7.03 Chairman of the Board.
Β Β Β Β Β The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board. If the Chairman is
unable to preside at a meeting of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer is also unable to
preside at such meeting pursuant to SectionΒ 7.04, then the Directors may appoint another Director
to preside at such meeting. The Directors also may elect a Vice-Chairman to act in the place of
the Chairman upon his absence or inability to act.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 7.04 Chief Executive Officer.
Β Β Β Β Β The Chief Executive Officer shall be responsible for the general management of the affairs of
the Company and shall perform all duties incidental to such personβs office that may be required by
law and all such other duties as are properly required of him by the Board. He shall make reports
to the Board and the Members and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board and of any
committee thereof are carried into effect. The Chief Executive Officer shall have full authority
to execute all deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, documents or other instruments, except in cases
where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board to some other officer or
agent of the Company or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed. The Chairman of the
Board may serve in the capacity of Chief Executive Officer. If the Chairman of the Board does not
so serve, then the Chief Executive Officer, if he is also a Director, shall, in the absence of or
because of the inability to act of the Chairman of the Board, perform all duties of the Chairman of
the Board and preside at all meetings of the Board.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 7.05 President.
Β Β Β Β Β The Chief Executive Officer may serve in the capacity as President. If the Chief Executive
Officer does not so serve, then the President shall assist the Chief Executive Officer in the
administration and operation of the Companyβs business and general supervision of its policies and
affairs. The President shall have full authority to execute all deeds, mortgages, bonds,
contracts, documents or other instruments, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be
expressly delegated by the Board to some other officer or agent of the Company or shall be required
by law to be otherwise executed.
20
Β
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 7.06 Chief Financial Officer.
Β Β Β Β Β The Chief Financial Officer shall be responsible for financial reporting for the Company and
shall perform all duties incidental to such personβs office that may be required by law and all
such other duties as are properly required by of him by the Board. He shall make reports to the
Board and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board and any committee thereof relating
to financial reporting are carried into effect.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 7.07 Chief Operating Officer.
Β Β Β Β Β The Chief Operating Officer of the Company shall assist the Chief Executive Officer in the
administration and operation of the Companyβs business and general supervision of its policies and
affairs.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 7.08 Vice Presidents.
Β Β Β Β Β Each Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President and any Vice President shall have such
powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to him by the Board.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 7.09 Treasurer.
Β Β Β Β Β (a)Β The Treasurer shall exercise general supervision over the receipt, custody and
disbursement of company funds. The Treasurer shall, in general, perform all duties incident to the
office of Treasurer and shall have such further powers and duties and shall be subject to such
directions as may be granted or imposed from time to time by the Board.
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β Assistant Treasurers shall have such of the authority and perform such of the duties of
the Treasurer as may be provided in this Agreement or assigned to them by the Board or the
Treasurer. Assistant Treasurers shall assist the Treasurer in the performance of the duties
assigned to the Treasurer and, in assisting the Treasurer, each Assistant Treasurer shall for such
purpose have the powers of the Treasurer. During the Treasurerβs absence or inability, the
Treasurerβs authority and duties shall be possessed by such Assistant Treasurer or Assistant
Treasurers as the Board may designate.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 7.10 Secretary.
Β Β Β Β Β (a)Β The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, in one or more books provided for that
purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Board, the committees of the Board and the Members.
The Secretary shall (i)Β see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of
this Agreement and as required by law; (ii)Β be custodian of the records and the seal of the Company
and affix and attest the seal to all documents to be executed on behalf of the Company under its
seal; (iii)Β see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records
required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and (iv)Β in general, perform all
the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be
assigned to the Secretary by the Board.
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β Assistant Secretaries shall have such of the authority and perform such of the duties of
the Secretary as may be provided in this Agreement or assigned to them by the Board or
21
Β
the Secretary. Assistant Secretaries shall assist the Secretary in the performance of the
duties assigned to the Secretary, and in assisting the Secretary, each Assistant Secretary shall
for such purpose have the powers of the Secretary. During the Secretaryβs absence or inability,
the Secretaryβs authority and duties shall be possessed by such Assistant Secretary or Assistant
Secretaries as the Board may designate.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 7.11 Powers of Attorney.
Β Β Β Β Β The Company may xxxxx xxxxxx of attorney or other authority as appropriate to establish and
evidence the authority of the officers and other Persons.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 7.12 Delegation of Authority.
Β Β Β Β Β Unless otherwise provided by this Agreement or by resolution of the Board, no officer shall
have the power or authority to delegate to any Person such officerβs rights and powers as an
officer to manage the business and affairs of the Company.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 7.13 Expenses.
Β Β Β Β Β The officers and agents shall be entitled to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs and
expenses incurred in the course of their service hereunder. In addition, the Directors shall be
entitled to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs and expenses reasonably incurred in the course of
their service hereunder.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 7.14 Removal.
Β Β Β Β Β Any officer appointed, or agent appointed, by the Board may be removed by the affirmative vote
of a majority of the Board whenever, in their judgment, the best interests of the Company would be
served thereby. No appointed officer shall have any contractual rights against the Company for
compensation by virtue of such election beyond the date of the appointment of such personβs
successor, such personβs death, such personβs resignation or such personβs removal, whichever event
shall first occur, except as otherwise provided in an employment contract or under an employee
deferred compensation plan.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 7.15 Vacancies.
Β Β Β Β Β A newly created office and a vacancy in any office because of death, resignation or removal
may be filled by the Board for the unexpired portion of the term at any meeting of the Board.
ARTICLE VIII
MEMBER MEETINGS
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 8.01 Meetings.
Β Β Β Β Β Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all acts of the Members to be taken hereunder
shall be taken in the manner provided in this ArticleΒ VIII. An annual meeting of the
22
Β
Members for the transaction of such business as may properly come before the meeting shall be
held at such time and place as the Board shall specify in the notice of the meeting, which shall be
delivered to each Member at least 10 and not more than 60Β days prior to such meeting. Special
meetings of the Member may be called by the Board or by any Member. A Member shall call a meeting
by delivering to the Board one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Member wishes
to call a meeting and indicating the general or specific purposes for which the meeting is to be
called.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 8.02 Notice of a Meeting.
Β Β Β Β Β Notice of a meeting called pursuant to SectionΒ 8.01 shall be given to the Members in writing
by mail or other means of written communication in accordance with SectionΒ 13.02. The notice shall
be deemed to have been given at the time when deposited in the mail or sent by other means of
written communication.
Β Β Β Β Β Attendance of a Member at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting,
except where a Member attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction
of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 8.03 Action by Consent of Members.
Β Β Β Β Β Any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Members may be taken without a meeting if an
approval in writing setting forth such action is signed by the Members holding not less than the
minimum percentage of the Membership Interests that would be necessary to authorize or take such
action at a meeting at which all the Members entitled to vote on such matter were present and
voted.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 8.04 Member Vote.
Β Β Β Β Β Unless a provision of this Agreement specifically provides otherwise, any provision of this
Agreement requiring the authorization of, or action taken by, the Members shall require the
unanimous approval of the Members.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 8.05 In the Event of a Sole Member.
Β Β Β Β Β Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, at any time at which there is only a
single Member of the Company, any provision herein that requires a Member to make a delivery to, or
to obtain the consent of, the other Members of the Company shall be disregarded until such time as
an additional Person is admitted as a Member of the Company.
ARTICLE IX
OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES AND INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS,
OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS
OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 9.01 Outside Activities.
23
Β
Β Β Β Β Β (a)Β It shall be deemed not to be a breach of any duty (including any fiduciary duty) existing
hereunder, at law, in equity or otherwise, or any other obligation of any type whatsoever of (i)
any Director or Officer for Affiliates of such Director or Officer to engage in outside business
interests and activities in preference to or to the exclusion of the Company or in direct
competition with the Company; provided such Affiliate does not engage in such business or activity
as a result of or using confidential or proprietary information provided by or on behalf of the
Company to such Director or (ii)Β any Director, Officer or other employee of the Company to be a
director, manager, officer, employee or consultant of any Affiliate or Member or any Affiliate of
any Member of the Company, provided that the Board of Directors is advised of such other
relationship and does not object thereto; and further, provided, that such Officer or employee does
not engage in such business or activity as a result of or using confidential or proprietary
information provided by or on behalf of the Company to such Person;
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β None of the Directors or Officers shall have any obligation hereunder or as a result of
any duty expressed or implied by law, in equity or otherwise to present business opportunities to
the Company that may become available to Affiliates of such Director or Officer or of which the
person serving as a Director or Officer acquires knowledge other than while serving in the capacity
as such Director or Officer. No Member or other Person shall have any rights by virtue of a
Directorβs or Officerβs duties as a Director or Officer, as the case may be, under this Agreement,
any Group Member Agreement, applicable law or otherwise in any business ventures of any Director or
Officer, as the case may be; and
Β Β Β Β Β (c)Β Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent that any
provisions of this SectionΒ 9.01 purport or are interpreted to have the effect of restricting,
eliminating or otherwise modifying the duties (including fiduciary duties) that might otherwise, as
a result of Delaware or other applicable law, be owed by the Directors, the Officers or any of
their Affiliates to the Company and its Members, or to constitute a waiver or consent by the
Members to any such fiduciary duty, such provisions in this SectionΒ 9.01 shall be deemed to have
been approved by the Members, and the Members hereby agree that such provisions shall replace or
eliminate such duties.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 9.02 Indemnification. (a)Β To the fullest extent permitted by law but subject
to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and
held harmless by the Company from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities,
joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties,
interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or
proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnitee may
be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as
an Indemnitee; provided, that the Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless if there
has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction
determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification
pursuant to this SectionΒ 9.01, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful
misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemniteeβs conduct
was unlawful. Any indemnification pursuant to this SectionΒ 9.01 shall be made only out of the
assets of the Company, it being agreed that the Members shall not be liable for such
indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Company to enable it to
effectuate such indemnification.
24
Β
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses)
incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to SectionΒ 9.01(a) in defending any claim,
demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Company prior to a
determination that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the Company of
any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be determined
that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this SectionΒ 9.01.
Β Β Β Β Β (c)Β The indemnification provided by this SectionΒ 9.01 shall be in addition to any other rights
to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, as a matter of law or otherwise, both
as to actions in the Indemniteeβs capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other
capacity, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall
inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.
Β Β Β Β Β (d)Β The Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of the Company, its Affiliates
and such other Persons as the Company shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted
against, or expense that may be incurred by, such Person in connection with the Companyβs
activities or such Personβs activities on behalf of the Company, regardless of whether the Company
would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this
Agreement.
Β Β Β Β Β (e)Β For purposes of this SectionΒ 9.01, (i)Β the Company shall be deemed to have requested an
Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its
duties to the Company also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or
participants or beneficiaries of the plan; (ii)Β excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect
to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute βfinesβ within the meaning
of SectionΒ 9.01(a); and (iii)Β action taken or omitted by the Indemnitee with respect to any
employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to
be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for
a purpose that is in the best interests of the Company.
Β Β Β Β Β (f)Β An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section
9.01 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the
indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
Β Β Β Β Β (g)Β The provisions of this SectionΒ 9.01 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their heirs,
successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit
of any other Persons.
Β Β Β Β Β (h)Β No amendment, modification or repeal of this SectionΒ 9.01 or any provision hereof shall in
any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be
indemnified by the Company, nor the obligations of the Company to indemnify any such Indemnitee
under and in accordance with the provisions of this SectionΒ 9.01 as in
effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising
from
25
Β
or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification
or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 9.03 Exculpation of Liability of Indemnitees.
Β Β Β Β Β (a)Β Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall
be liable for monetary damages to the Company or any other Persons who have acquired Membership
Interests in the Company, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or
omission of an Indemnitee unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a
court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter in question, the
Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal
matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemniteeβs conduct was criminal.
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary
duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Company, such Indemnitee acting in connection with
the Companyβs business or affairs shall not be liable to the Company or to any Member for its good
faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement, to the
extent that they restrict or eliminate the duties and liabilities of an Indemnitee otherwise
existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Members to replace such other duties and
liabilities of such Indemnitee.
Β Β Β Β Β (c)Β Any amendment, modification or repeal of this SectionΒ 9.03 or any provision hereof shall
be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the
Indemnitees under this SectionΒ 9.03 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification
or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in
part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or
be asserted.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 9.04 Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification
of Duties.
Β Β Β Β Β (a)Β Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Group Member Agreement,
whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between one or more Directors or their
respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Company or any Group Member, on the other, any
resolution or course of action by the Board or its Affiliates in respect of such conflict of
interest shall be permitted and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, deemed approved by all
Members, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or of any duty stated or implied by
law or equity, including any fiduciary duty, if the resolution or course of action in respect of
such conflict of interest is (i)Β approved by Special Approval, (ii)Β approved by the vote of a
majority of the Interests held by disinterested parties, (iii)Β on terms no less favorable to the
Company than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or
(iv)Β fair and reasonable to the Company, taking into account the totality of the relationships
between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or
advantageous to the Company). The Board shall be authorized but not required in connection with
its resolution of such conflict of interest to seek Special Approval of such resolution, and
the Board may also adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special
Approval. If Special Approval is not sought and the Board determines that the resolution or course
of action
26
Β
taken with respect to a conflict of interest is on terms no less favorable to the Company
than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or that the
resolution or course of action taken with respect to a conflict of interest is fair and reasonable
to the Company, then such resolution or course of action shall be permitted and, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, deemed approved by all the Members, and shall not constitute a breach of
this Agreement or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity, including any fiduciary duty. In
connection with any such approval by the Board, it shall be presumed that, in making its decision,
the Board acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by any Member or by or on behalf of
such Member or any other Member or the Company challenging such approval, the Person bringing or
prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of overcoming such presumption.
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β The Members hereby authorize the Board, on behalf of the Company as a partner of a Group
Member, to approve of actions by the Board of such Group Member similar to those actions permitted
to be taken by the Board pursuant to this SectionΒ 9.04.
ARTICLE X
TAXES
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 10.01 Tax Returns.
Β Β Β Β Β The Tax Matters Member of the Company shall prepare and timely file (on behalf of the Company)
all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns required to be filed by the Company. Each Member
shall furnish to the Company all pertinent information in its possession relating to the Companyβs
operations that is necessary to enable the Companyβs tax returns to be timely prepared and filed.
The Company shall bear the costs of the preparation and filing of its returns.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 10.02 Tax Elections.
Β Β Β Β Β (a)Β The Company shall make the following elections on the appropriate tax returns:
Β Β Β Β Β (i) to adopt as the Companyβs fiscal year the calendar year;
Β Β Β Β Β (ii) to adopt the accrual method of accounting;
Β Β Β Β Β (iii) if a distribution of the Companyβs property as described in SectionΒ 734 of the
Code occurs or upon a transfer of Membership Interest as described in SectionΒ 743 of the
Code occurs, on request by notice from any Member, to elect, pursuant to SectionΒ 754 of the
Code, to adjust the basis of the Companyβs properties; and
Β Β Β Β Β (iv) any other election the Members, in their sole discretion, may deem appropriate.
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β Neither the Company nor any Member shall make an election for the Company to be excluded
from the application of the provisions of subchapter K of chapter 1 of subtitle A of
27
Β
the Code or any similar provisions of applicable state, local or foreign law and no provision of this Agreement
(including SectionΒ 2.06) shall be construed to sanction or approve such an election.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 10.03 Tax Matters Member.
Β Β Β Β Β Holding Co. shall be the βtax matters partnerβ of the Company pursuant to Code
SectionΒ 6231(a)(7) (the βTax Matters Memberβ). Any cost or expense incurred by the Tax Matters
Member in connection with its duties, including the preparation for or pursuance of administrative
or judicial proceedings, shall be paid by the Company. The Tax Matters Member shall take all
actions with respect to taxes (including, but not limited to, (a)Β making, changing or revoking a
material tax election, (b)Β taking a significant position in any tax return, (c)Β settling or
otherwise resolving any audit or other proceeding relating to taxes and (d)Β extending the statute
of limitations with respect to taxes) in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE XI
BOOKS, RECORDS, REPORTS, AND BANK ACCOUNTS
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 11.01 Maintenance of Books.
Β Β Β Β Β (a)Β The Board shall cause to be kept a record at the principal office of the Company or at
such other location approved by the Board complete and accurate books and records of the Company,
supporting documentation of the transactions with respect to the conduct of the Companyβs business
and containing the minutes of the proceedings of the meetings of the Board and of the Members,
appropriate registers and such books of records and accounts as may be necessary for the proper
conduct of the business of the Company, and any other books and records that are required to be
maintained by Applicable Law.
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β The books of account of the Company shall be (i)Β maintained on the basis of a fiscal year
that is the calendar year, (ii)Β maintained on an accrual basis in accordance with GAAP,
consistently applied and (iii)Β audited by the Registered Public Accountants at the end of each
calendar year.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 11.02 Reports.
Β Β Β Β Β With respect to each calendar year, the Board shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, and
deliver, or cause to be delivered, to each Member:
Β Β Β Β Β (a)Β Within 120 Days after the end of such calendar year, a profit and loss statement and a
statement of cash flows for such year, a balance sheet and a statement of each Memberβs Capital
Account as of the end of such year, together with a report thereon of the Registered Public
Accountants; and
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β Such federal, state, local and foreign income tax returns and such other accounting, tax
information and schedules as shall be necessary for the preparation by each
Member on or before JuneΒ 15 following the end of each calendar year of its income tax return
with respect to such year.
28
Β
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 11.03 Bank Accounts.
Β Β Β Β Β Funds of the Company shall be deposited in such banks or other depositories as shall be
designated from time to time by the Members. All withdrawals from any such depository shall be
made only as authorized by the Members and shall be made only by check, wire transfer, debit
memorandum or other written instruction.
ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION, WINDING-UP, TERMINATION AND CONVERSION
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 12.01 Dissolution.
Β Β Β Β Β (a)Β The Company shall dissolve and its affairs shall be wound up on the first to occur of the
following events (each, a βDissolution Eventβ):
Β Β Β Β Β (i) the unanimous consent of the Members;
Β Β Β Β Β (ii) entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under SectionΒ 18-802 of
the Act; or
Β Β Β Β Β (iii) at any time there are no members of the Company unless the Company is continued
in accordance with the Act.
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β No other event shall cause a dissolution of the Company.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 12.02 Winding-Up and Termination.
Β Β Β Β Β (a)Β On the occurrence of a Dissolution Event of the type described in SectionΒ 12.01(a)(i),
SectionΒ 12.01(a)(ii) or SectionΒ 12.01(a)(iii), the Members shall act as liquidator or select a
Person to act as liquidator. The liquidator shall proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of the
Company and make final distributions as provided herein and in the Act. The costs of winding up
shall be borne as a Company expense. Until final distribution, the liquidator shall continue to
operate the Company properties with all of the power and authority of the Members. The steps to be
accomplished by the liquidator are as follows:
Β Β Β Β Β (i) as promptly as possible after dissolution and again after final winding up, the
liquidator shall cause a proper accounting to be made by a recognized firm of certified
public accountants of the Companyβs assets, liabilities, and operations through the last Day
of the month in which the dissolution occurs or the final winding up is completed, as
applicable;
Β Β Β Β Β (ii) the liquidator shall discharge from Company funds all of the debts, liabilities
and obligations of the Company (including all expenses incurred in winding up) or otherwise
make adequate provision for payment and discharge thereof (including the
establishment of a cash escrow fund for contingent liabilities in such amount and for
such term as the liquidator may reasonably determine); and
29
Β
Β Β Β Β Β (iii) all remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed to the Members as
follows:
Β Β Β Β Β (A) the liquidator may sell any or all Company Property, including to Members,
and any resulting gain or loss from each sale shall be computed and allocated to the
Capital Accounts of the Members in accordance with the provisions of ArticleΒ V;
Β Β Β Β Β (B) with respect to all Company Property that has not been sold, the fair
market value of that property shall be determined and the Capital Accounts of the
Members shall be adjusted to reflect the manner in which the unrealized income,
gain, loss, and deduction inherent in property that has not been reflected in the
Capital Accounts previously would be allocated among the Members if there were a
taxable disposition of that property for the fair market value of that property on
the date of distribution; and
Β Β Β Β Β (C) Company Property (including cash) shall be distributed to the Members in
accordance with their relative positive Capital Account balances after the
allocations pursuant to SectionΒ 5.01 and SectionΒ 5.02 have been made.
Β Β Β Β Β (b)Β The distribution of cash or property to a Member in accordance with the provisions of this
SectionΒ 12.02 constitutes a complete return to the Member of its Capital Contributions and a
complete distribution to the Member of its Membership Interest and all the Companyβs property and
constitutes a compromise to which all Members have consented pursuant to SectionΒ 18-502(b) of the
Act. To the extent that a Member returns funds to the Company, it has no claim against any other
Member for those funds.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 12.03 Deficit Capital Accounts.
Β Β Β Β Β No Member will be required to pay to the Company, to any other Member or to any third party
any deficit balance that may exist from time to time in the Memberβs Capital Account.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 12.04 Certificate of Cancellation.
Β Β Β Β Β On completion of the distribution of Company assets as provided herein, the Members (or such
other Person or Persons as the Act may require or permit) shall file a certificate of cancellation
with the Secretary of State of Delaware and take such other actions as may be necessary to
terminate the existence of the Company. Upon the filing of such certificate of cancellation, the
existence of the Company shall terminate (and the Term shall end).
ARTICLE XIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 13.01 Offset.
Β Β Β Β Β Whenever the Company is to pay any sum to any Member, any amounts that Member owes the Company
may be deducted from that sum before payment.
30
Β
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 13.02 Notices.
Β Β Β Β Β All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals or other communications (collectively,
βNoticesβ) required or permitted to be given hereunder or that are given with respect to this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be personally served, delivered by reputable air courier
service with charges prepaid, or transmitted by hand delivery, telegram, telex or facsimile,
addressed as set forth below, or to such other address as such party shall have specified most
recently by written notice. Notice shall be deemed given on the date of service or transmission if
personally served or transmitted by telegram, telex or facsimile. Notice otherwise sent as
provided herein shall be deemed given upon delivery of such notice:
Β Β Β Β Β To the Company:
El Paso Pipeline GP Company, L.L.C.
El Paso Building
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attn: President
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Fax: 000-000-0000
El Paso Building
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attn: President
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Fax: 000-000-0000
Β Β Β Β Β To Holding Co.:
El Paso Pipeline Holding Company, L.L.C.
El Paso Building
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attn: President
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Fax: 000-000-0000
El Paso Building
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attn: President
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Fax: 000-000-0000
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 13.03 Entire Agreement; Superseding Effect.
Β Β Β Β Β This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Members, in such capacity, relative to
the formation, operation and continuation of the Company.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 13.04 Effect of Waiver or Consent.
Β Β Β Β Β Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a waiver or consent, express or implied, to or
of any breach or default by any Member in the performance by that Member of its obligations with
respect to the Company is not a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the
performance by that Member of the same or any other obligations of that Member with respect to the
Company. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, failure on the part of a Member to
complain of any act of any Member or to declare any Member in default with respect to the Company,
irrespective of how long that failure continues, does not constitute
a waiver by that Member of its rights with respect to that default until the applicable
statute-of-limitations period has run.
31
Β
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 13.05 Amendment or Restatement.
Β Β Β Β Β This Agreement or the Delaware Certificate may be amended or restated only by a written
instrument executed (or, in the case of the Delaware Certificate, approved) by the Members;
provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each Member
agrees that the Board, without the approval of any Member, may amend any provision of the Delaware
Certificate or this Agreement, and may authorize any Officer to execute, swear to, acknowledge,
deliver, file and record any such amendment and such documents as may be required in connection
therewith, to reflect any change that does not require comment or approval (or for which comment or
approval has been obtained) under this Agreement or does not materially adversely affect the
requests of the Members.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 13.06 Binding Effect.
Β Β Β Β Β Subject to the restrictions on Dispositions set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement is
binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the Members and their respective successors and
permitted assigns.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 13.07 Governing Law; Severability.
Β Β Β Β Β THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE
OF DELAWARE, EXCLUDING ANY CONFLICT-OF-LAWS RULE OR PRINCIPLE THAT MIGHT REFER THE GOVERNANCE OR
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION. In the event of a direct
conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and any mandatory, non-waivable provision of the
Act, such provision of the Act shall control. If any provision of the Act provides that it may be
varied or superseded in a limited liability company agreement (or otherwise by agreement of the
members or managers of a limited liability company), such provision shall be deemed superseded and
waived in its entirety if this Agreement contains a provision addressing the same issue or subject
matter. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Member or
circumstance is held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, (a)Β the remainder of this Agreement
and the application of that provision to other Members or circumstances is not affected thereby,
and (b)Β the Members shall negotiate in good faith to replace that provision with a new provision
that is valid and enforceable and that puts the Members in substantially the same economic,
business and legal position as they would have been in if the original provision had been valid and
enforceable.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 13.08 Further Assurances.
Β Β Β Β Β In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, each Member shall
execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments and perform any additional acts that
may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this Agreement and
those transactions.
32
Β
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 13.09 Waiver of Certain Rights.
Β Β Β Β Β Each Member irrevocably waives any right it may have to maintain any action for dissolution of
the Company or for partition of the property of the Company.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 13.10 Counterparts.
Β Β Β Β Β This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all
signing parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and
constitute the same instrument.
Β Β Β Β Β SECTION 13.11 Jurisdiction.
Β Β Β Β Β Any and all Claims arising out of, in connection with or in relation to (i)Β the
interpretation, performance or breach of this Agreement, or (ii)Β any relationship before, at the
time of entering into, during the term of, or upon or after expiration or termination of this
Agreement, between the parties hereto, shall be brought in the courts of the State of Delaware or
any federal court located in the State of Delaware or in any court of competent jurisdiction in
Xxxxxx County in the State of Texas. Each party hereto unconditionally and irrevocably
consents to the jurisdiction of any such court over any Claims and waives any objection that such
party may have to the laying of venue of any Claims in any such court.
Β Β Β Β Β IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the sole Member has executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth
above.
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β |
Β | MEMBER: EL PASO PIPELINE HOLDING COMPANY, L.L.C. Β |
Β | ||
Β | By:Β Β | Β | Β | |
Β | Name:Β Β | Β | Β | |
Β | Title:Β Β | Β | Β |
33
Β
EXHIBIT A
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β |
Β | Β | MEMBERSHIP | Β | CAPITAL | ||||
MEMBER | Β | INTEREST | Β | CONTRIBUTION | ||||
Β | ||||||||
El Paso Pipeline
Holding Company, L.L.C. |
Β | Β | 100 | % | Β | $ | 1,000 | Β |
Β