AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
of
PIMCO MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND
(Amended and Restated as of December 11, 2008)
ARTICLE 1
Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Principal Office
1.1 Principal Office of the Trust. A principal office of the Trust shall be
located in New York, New York. The Trust may have other principal offices within
or without Massachusetts as the Trustees may determine or as they may authorize.
1.2 Agreement and Declaration of Trust. These Amended and Restated Bylaws
(the "Bylaws") shall be subject to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as
amended or restated from time to time (the "Declaration of Trust"), of PIMCO
Municipal Income Fund, the Massachusetts business trust established by the
Declaration of Trust (the "Trust"). Capitalized terms used in these Bylaws and
not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the
Declaration of Trust.
ARTICLE 2
Meetings of Trustees
2.1 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Trustees may be held without
call or notice at such places and at such times as the Trustees may from time to
time determine, provided that notice of the first regular meeting following any
such determination shall be given to absent Trustees. A regular meeting of the
Trustees may be held without call or notice immediately after and at the same
place as the annual meeting of the Shareholders (as defined in the Declaration
of Trust).
2.2 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Trustees may be held at any
time and at any place designated in the call of the meeting when called by the
Chairman of the Trustees, the President or the Treasurer or by two or more
Trustees, sufficient notice thereof being given to each Trustee by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary or by the officer or the Trustees calling the meeting.
2.3 Notice. It shall be sufficient notice to the Trustee of a special
meeting to send notice by mail at least forty-eight hours or by telegram, telex
or telecopy or other electronic facsimile transmission method at least
twenty-four hours before the meeting addressed to the Trustee at his or her
usual or last known business or residence address or to give notice to him or
her in person or by telephone at least twenty-four hours before the meeting.
Notice of a meeting need not be given to any Trustee if a written waiver of
notice, executed by him or her, before or after the meeting, is filed with the
records of the meeting, or to any Trustee who attends the meeting without
protesting prior thereto or at its commencement the lack of notice to him or
her. Neither notice of a meeting nor a waiver of a notice need specify the
purposes of the meeting.
2.4 Quorum. At any meeting of the Trustees a majority of the Trustees then
in office shall constitute a quorum. Any meeting may be adjourned from time to
time by a majority of the votes cast upon the question, whether or not a quorum
is present, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice.
ARTICLE 3
Officers and Chairman of the Trustees
3.1 Enumeration; Qualification. The officers of the Trust shall be a
President, a Treasurer, a Secretary, a Chief Compliance Officer and such other
officers, if any, as the Trustees from time to time may in their discretion
elect. The Trust may also have such agents as the Trustees from time to time may
in their discretion appoint. Any officer may but need not be a Trustee or a
Shareholder. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.
3.2 Election. The President, the Treasurer, and the Secretary shall be
elected annually by the Trustees. Other officers, if any, may be elected or
appointed by the Trustees at the same meeting at which the President, Treasurer
and Secretary are elected, or at any other time. If required by the 1940 Act,
the Chief Compliance Officer shall be elected or appointed by a majority of the
trustees, as well as a majority of the Trustees who are not Interested Persons
of the Trust ("Independent Trustees"), and otherwise in accordance with Rule
38a-1 (or any successor rule) under the 1940 Act, as such rule may be amended
from time to time ("Rule 38a-1"). Vacancies in any office may be filled at any
time.
3.3 Tenure. The Chairman of the Trustees, if one is elected, the President,
the Treasurer, the Secretary and the Chief Compliance Officer shall hold office
until their respective successors are chosen and qualified, or in each case
until he or she sooner dies, resigns, is removed with or without cause or
becomes disqualified, provided that, if required by the 1940 Act, any renewal of
the Chief Compliance Officer shall be in accordance with Rule 38a-1. Each other
officer shall hold office and each agent of the Trust shall retain authority at
the pleasure of the Trustees.
3.4 Powers. Subject to the other provisions of these Bylaws, each officer
shall have, in addition to the duties and powers herein and in the Declaration
of Trust set forth, such duties and powers as are commonly incident to the
office occupied by him or her as if the Trust were organized as a Massachusetts
business corporation and such other duties and powers as the Trustees may from
time to time designate.
3.5 Chairman of the Trustees. There shall be an office of the Chairman of
the Trustees, which shall serve of behalf of the Trustees, but shall not be an
officer of the Trust. The
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office of the Chairman of the Trustees may be held by more than one person. Any
Chairman of the Trustees shall be elected by a majority of the Trustees, as well
as a majority of the Independent Trustees if required by the 1940 Act. If
required by the 1940 Act, any Chairman of the Trustees shall be an Independent
Trustee and may, but need not, be a shareholder. The powers and the duties of
the Chairman of the Trustees shall include any and all such powers and duties
relating to the operations of the Trustees as, from time to time, may be
conferred upon or assigned to such office by the Trustees or as may be required
by law, provided that the Chairman of the Trustees shall have no individual
authority to act for the Trust as an officer of the Trust. In carrying out the
responsibilities and duties of the office, the Chairman of the Trustees may seek
assistance and input from other Trustees or Committees of the Trustees, officers
of the Trust and the Trust's investment adviser(s) and other service providers,
as deemed necessary or appropriate. The Trustees, including a majority of the
Independent Trustees if required by the 1940 Act, may appoint one or more
persons to perform the duties of the Chairman of the Trustees, in the event of
his absence at any meeting or in the event of his disability.
3.6 President; Vice President. The President shall be the chief executive
officer. Any Vice President shall have such duties and powers as may be
designated from time to time by the Trustees or the President.
3.7 Treasurer; Assistant Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the chief
financial and accounting officer of the Trust, and shall, subject to the
provisions of the Declaration of Trust and to any arrangement made by the
Trustees with a custodian, investment adviser, sub-adviser or manager, or
transfer, shareholder servicing or similar agent, be in charge of the valuable
papers, books of account and accounting records of the Trust, and shall have
such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the
Trustees or by the President. Any Assistant Treasurer shall have such duties and
powers as may be designated from time to time by the Trustees or the President.
3.8 Secretary; Assistant Secretary. The Secretary shall record all
proceedings of the Shareholders and the Trustees in books to be kept therefor,
which books or a copy thereof shall be kept at the principal office of the
Trust. In the absence of the Secretary from any meeting of the Shareholders or
Trustees, an Assistant Secretary, or if there be none or if he or she is absent,
a temporary secretary chosen at such meeting shall record the proceedings
thereof in the aforesaid books. Any Assistant Secretary shall have such duties
and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Trustees or the
President.
3.9 Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer shall perform
the duties and have the responsibilities of the chief compliance officer of the
Trust, including if required by the 1940 Act any such duties and
responsibilities imposed by Rule 38a-1, and shall have such other duties and
powers as may be designated from time to time by the Trustees.
3.10 Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by written instrument
signed by him or her and delivered to the Chairman of the Trustees, if any, the
President or the Secretary, or to a meeting of the Trustees. Such resignation
shall be effective upon receipt unless specified to be effective at some other
time. Except to the extent expressly provided in a written
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agreement with the Trust, no officer resigning and no officer removed shall have
any right to any compensation for any period following his or her resignation or
removal, or any right to damages on account of such removal.
ARTICLE 4
Committees
4.1 Quorum; Voting. Except as provided below or as otherwise specifically
provided in the resolutions constituting a Committee of the Trustees and
providing for the conduct of its meetings, a majority of the members of any
Committee of the Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business, and any action of such a Committee may be taken at a meeting by a vote
of a majority of the members present (a quorum being present) or evidenced by
one or more writings signed by such a majority. Members of a Committee may
participate in a meeting of such Committee by means of a conference telephone or
other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in
the meeting can hear each other at the same time and participation by such means
shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.
With respect to a Valuation Committee of the Trustees, one or more of the
Committee members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Except as specifically provided in the resolutions constituting a Committee
of the Trustees and providing for the conduct of its meetings, Article 2,
Section 2.3 of these Bylaws relating to special meetings shall govern the notice
requirements for Committee meetings, except that it shall be sufficient notice
to a Valuation Committee of the Trustees to send notice by telegram, telex or
telecopy or other electronic means (including by telephone voice-message or
e-mail) at least fifteen minutes before the meeting.
ARTICLE 5
Reports
5.1 General. The Trustees and officers shall render reports at the time and
in the manner required by the Declaration of Trust or any applicable law.
Officers and Committees shall render such additional reports as they may deem
desirable or as may from time to time be required by the Trustees.
ARTICLE 6
Fiscal Year
6.1 General. Except as from time to time otherwise provided by the
Trustees, the initial fiscal year of the Trust shall end on such date as is
determined in advance or in arrears by the Treasurer, and the subsequent fiscal
years shall end on such date in subsequent years.
ARTICLE 7
Seal
7.1 General. The seal of the Trust shall, subject to alteration by the
Trustees, consist of a flat-faced die with the word "Massachusetts", together
with the name of the Trust and the year of its organization cut or engraved
thereon; provided, however, that unless otherwise
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required by the Trustees, the seal shall not be necessary to be placed on, and
its absence shall not impair the validity of, any document, instrument or other
paper executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Trust.
ARTICLE 8
Execution of Papers
8.1 General. Except as the Trustees may generally or in particular cases
authorize the execution thereof in some other manner, all deeds, leases,
transfers, contracts, bonds, notes, checks, drafts and other obligations made,
accepted or endorsed by the Trust shall be executed by the President, any Vice
President, the Treasurer or by whomever else shall be designated for that
purpose by vote of the Trustees, and need not bear the seal of the Trust.
ARTICLE 9
Issuance of Share Certificates
9.1 Share Certificates. Except as provided in Article 11 hereof, each
Shareholder shall be entitled to a certificate stating the number of Shares (as
defined in the Declaration of Trust) owned by him or her, in such form as shall
be prescribed from time to time by the Trustees. Such certificates shall be
signed by the President or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or any
Assistant Treasurer. Such signatures may be by facsimile if the certificate is
signed by a transfer agent, or by a registrar, other than a Trustee, officer or
employee of the Trust. In case any officer who has signed or whose facsimile
signature has been placed on such certificate shall cease to be such officer
before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Trust with the same
effect as if he or she were such officer at the time of its issuance.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in lieu of issuing certificates for Shares,
the Trustees or the transfer agent may either issue receipts therefor or may
keep accounts upon the books of the Trust for the record holders of such Shares,
who shall in either case be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be the
holders of certificates for such Shares as if they had accepted such
certificates and shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the
terms hereof.
9.2 Loss of Certificates. In case of the alleged loss or destruction or the
mutilation of a share certificate, a duplicate certificate may be issued in
place thereof, upon such terms as the Trustees shall prescribe.
9.3 Issuance of New Certificates to Pledgee. A pledgee of Shares
transferred as collateral security shall be entitled to a new certificate if the
instrument of transfer substantially describes the debt or duty that is intended
to be secured thereby. Such new certificate shall express on its face that it is
held as collateral security, and the name of pledgor shall be stated thereon,
who alone shall be liable as a Shareholder and entitled to vote thereon.
9.4 Discontinuance of Issuance of Certificates. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary in this Article 9, the Trustees may at any time discontinue the
issuance of share certificates and may, by written notice to each Shareholder,
require the surrender of share certificates to the Trust for cancellation. Such
surrender and cancellation shall not effect the ownership of Shares in the
Trust.
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ARTICLE 10
Shareholders' Voting Powers and Meetings
10.1 Voting Powers. The Shareholders shall have power to vote only (i) for
the election or removal of Trustees as provided in Article IV, Sections 1 and 3
of the Declaration of Trust and Article 11 hereto, (ii) with respect to any
Manager or sub-adviser as provided in Article IV, Section 8 of the Declaration
of Trust to the extent required by the 1940 Act, (iii) with respect to certain
transactions and other matters to the extent and as provided in Article V,
Sections 2 and 3 of the Declaration of Trust and Article 11 hereto, (iv) with
respect to any termination of this Trust to the extent and as provided in
Article IX, Section 4 of the Declaration of Trust and Article 11 hereto (for the
avoidance of any doubt, Shareholders shall have no separate right to vote with
respect to the termination of the Trust or a series or class of Shares if the
Trustees (including the Continuing Trustees) exercise their right to terminate
the Trust or such series or class pursuant to clauses (ii) and (y) of Article
IX, Section 4 of the Declaration of Trust), (v) with respect to any amendment of
the Declaration of Trust to the extent and as provided in Article IX, Section 7
of the Declaration of Trust and Article 11 hereto, (vi) to the same extent as
the stockholders of a Massachusetts business corporation as to whether or not a
court action, proceeding or claim should or should not be brought or maintained
derivatively or as a class action on behalf of the Trust or the Shareholders,
and (vii) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may
be required by law, the Declaration of Trust, these Bylaws or any registration
of the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor
agency) or any state, or as the Trustees may consider necessary or desirable.
Each whole Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is
entitled to vote and each fractional Share shall be entitled to a proportionate
fractional vote, except as otherwise provided in the Declaration of Trust, these
Bylaws, or required by applicable law. Except as otherwise provided in the
Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws or required by applicable law, all Shares
of the Trust then entitled to vote shall be voted in the aggregate as a single
class without regard to classes or series of Shares. There shall be no
cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person or
by proxy. A proxy with respect to Shares held in the name of two or more persons
shall be valid if executed by any one of them unless at or prior to exercise of
the proxy the Trust receives a specific written notice to the contrary from any
one of them. The placing of a Shareholder's name on a proxy pursuant to
telephonic or electronically transmitted instructions obtained pursuant to
procedures reasonably designed to verify that such instructions have been
authorized by such Shareholder shall constitute execution of such proxy by or on
behalf of such Shareholder. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of
a Shareholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its
exercise and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger.
Until Shares of a particular class or series are issued, the Trustees may
exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action required by law, the
Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws to be taken by Shareholders as to such
class or series.
10.2 Voting Power and Meetings. Except as provided in the next sentence,
regular meetings of the Shareholders for the election of Trustees and the
transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall
be held, so long as Shares are listed for trading on the New York Stock
Exchange, on at least an annual basis, on such day and at such place as shall be
designated by the Trustees. In the event that such a meeting is not held in any
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annual period if so required, whether the omission be by oversight or otherwise,
a subsequent special meeting may be called by the Trustees and held in lieu of
such meeting with the same effect as if held within such annual period. Special
meetings of the Shareholders or any or all classes or series of Shares may also
be called by the Trustees from time to time for such other purposes as may be
prescribed by law, by the Declaration of Trust or by these Bylaws, or for the
purpose of taking action upon any other matter deemed by the Trustees to be
necessary or desirable. A special meeting of Shareholders may be held at any
such time, day and place as is designated by the Trustees. Written notice of any
meeting of Shareholders, stating the date, time, place and purpose of the
meeting, shall be given or caused to be given by a majority of the Trustees and
a majority of the Continuing Trustees at least seven days before such meeting to
each Shareholder entitled to vote thereat by leaving such notice with the
Shareholder at his or her residence or usual place of business or by mailing
such notice, postage prepaid, to the Shareholder's address as it appears on the
records of the Trust. Such notice may be given by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary or by any other officer designated for such purpose by the Trustees.
Whenever notice of a meeting is required to be given to a Shareholder under the
Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, a written waiver thereof, executed before
or after the meeting by such Shareholder or his or her attorney thereunto
authorized and filed with the records of the meeting, shall be deemed equivalent
to such notice. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any Shareholder who
attends the meeting without protesting prior thereto or at its commencement the
lack of notice to such Shareholder. No ballot shall be required for any election
unless required by a Shareholder present or represented at the meeting and
entitled to vote in such election. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Section 10.2, no matter shall be properly before any annual or special
meeting of Shareholders and no business shall be transacted thereat unless in
accordance with Section 10.6 of these Bylaws.
10.3 Quorum and Required Vote. Except when a larger quorum is required by
any provision of law or the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, thirty percent
(30%) of the Shares entitled to vote on a particular matter shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business at a Shareholders' meeting, except that
where any provision of law or the Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws permits
or requires that holders of any class or series of Shares shall vote as an
individual class or series, then thirty percent (30%) (unless a larger quorum is
required as specified above) of Shares of that class or series entitled to vote
shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by
that class or series. Any lesser number shall be sufficient for adjournments.
Any adjourned session or sessions may be held, within a reasonable time after
the date set for the original meeting, without the necessity of further notice.
Except when a different vote is required by any provision of law or the
Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws, a plurality of the quorum of Shares
necessary for the transaction of business at a Shareholders' meeting shall
decide any questions and a plurality of Shares voted shall elect a Trustee,
provided that where any provision of law or of the Declaration of Trust or these
Bylaws permits or requires that the holders of any class or series of Shares
shall vote as an individual class or series, then a plurality of the quorum of
Shares of that class or series necessary for the transaction of business by that
class or series at a Shareholders' meeting shall decide that matter insofar as
that class or series is concerned.
10.4 Action by Written Consent. Any action taken by Shareholders may be
taken without a meeting if a majority of Shareholders entitled to vote on the
matter (or such larger
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proportion thereof as shall be required by any express provision of law or the
Declaration of Trust or these Bylaws) consent to the action in writing and such
written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of Shareholders.
Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of
Shareholders.
10.5 Record Dates. For the purpose of determining the Shareholders who are
entitled to vote or act at any meeting or any adjournment thereof, or who are
entitled to receive payment of any dividend or of any other distribution, the
Trustees may from time to time fix a time, which shall be not more than 90 days
before the date of any meeting of Shareholders or the date for the payment of
any dividend or of any other distribution, as the record date for determining
the Shareholders having the right to notice of and to vote at such meeting and
any adjournment thereof or the right to receive such dividend or distribution,
and in such case only Shareholders of record on such record date shall have the
right notwithstanding any transfer of Shares on the books of the Trust after the
record date; or without fixing such record date the Trustees may for any of such
purposes close the register or transfer books for all or any part of such
period.
10.6 Advance Notice of Shareholder Nominees for Trustees and Other
Shareholder Proposals. (a) As used in this Section 10.6, the term "annual
meeting" refers to any annual meeting of Shareholders as well as any special
meeting held in lieu of an annual meeting as described in the first two
sentences of Section 10.2 of these Bylaws, and the term "special meeting" refers
to all meetings of Shareholders other than an annual meeting or a special
meeting in lieu of an annual meeting.
(b) The matters to be considered and brought before any annual or special
meeting of Shareholders shall be limited to only such matters, including the
nomination and election of Trustees, as shall be brought properly before such
meeting in compliance with the procedures set forth in this Section 10.6. Only
persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this
Section 10.6 shall be eligible for election as Trustees, and no proposal to fix
the number of Trustees shall be brought before an annual or special meeting of
Shareholders or otherwise transacted unless in accordance with the procedures
set forth in this Section 10.6, except as may be otherwise provided in these
Bylaws with respect to the right of holders of preferred shares of beneficial
interest, if any, of the Trust to nominate and elect a specified number of
Trustees in certain circumstances.
(c) For any matter to be properly before any annual meeting, the matter
must be (i) specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of a
majority of the Trustees and a majority of the Continuing Trustees pursuant to
Section 10.2 of these Bylaws, (ii) otherwise brought before the meeting by or at
the direction of a majority of the Continuing Trustees (or any duly authorized
committee thereof), or (iii) brought before the meeting in the manner specified
in this Section 10.6(c) by a Shareholder of record entitled to vote at the
meeting or by a Shareholder (a "Beneficial Owner") that holds Shares entitled to
vote at the meeting through a nominee or "street name" holder of record and that
can demonstrate to the Trust such indirect ownership and such Beneficial Owner's
entitlement to vote such Shares, provided that the Shareholder was the
Shareholder of record or the Beneficial Owner held such Shares at the time the
notice provided for in this Section 10.6(c) is delivered to the Secretary.
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In addition to any other requirements under applicable law and the
Declaration of Trust and these Bylaws, persons nominated by Shareholders for
election as Trustees and any other proposals by Shareholders may be properly
brought before an annual meeting only pursuant to timely notice (the
"Shareholder Notice") in writing to the Secretary. To be timely, the Shareholder
Notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive
offices of the Trust not less than forty-five (45) nor more than sixty (60) days
prior to the first anniversary date of the date on which the Trust first mailed
its proxy materials for the prior year's annual meeting; provided, however, with
respect to the Trust's first annual meeting, the Shareholder Notice must be so
delivered or mailed and so received on or before July 1, 2002; provided further,
however, if and only if the annual meeting is not scheduled to be held within a
period that commences thirty (30) days before the first anniversary date of the
annual meeting for the preceding year and ends thirty (30) days after such
anniversary date (an annual meeting date outside such period being referred to
herein as an "Other Annual Meeting Date"), such Shareholder Notice must be given
in the manner provided herein by the later of the close of business on (i) the
date forty-five (45) days prior to such Other Annual Meeting Date or (ii) the
tenth (10th) business day following the date such Other Annual Meeting Date is
first publicly announced or disclosed.
Any Shareholder desiring to nominate any person or persons (as the case may
be) for election as a Trustee or Trustees of the Trust shall deliver, as part of
such Shareholder Notice: (i) a statement in writing setting forth (A) the name,
age, date of birth, business address, residence address and nationality of the
person or persons to be nominated; (B) the class or series and number of all
Shares of the Trust owned of record or beneficially by each such person or
persons, as reported to such Shareholder by such nominee(s); (C) any other
information regarding each such person required by paragraphs (a), (d), (e) and
(f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K or paragraph (b) of Item 22 of Rule 14a-101
(Schedule 14A) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (or the
corresponding provisions of any regulation or rule subsequently adopted by the
Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency applicable to the
Trust); (D) any other information regarding the person or persons to be
nominated that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other
filings required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for
election of Trustees or directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (E) whether such
Shareholder believes any nominee is or will be an "interested person" of the
Trust (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) and, if not
an "interested person," information regarding each nominee that will be
sufficient for the Trust to make such determination; and (ii) the written and
signed consent of the person or persons to be nominated to be named as nominees
and to serve as Trustees if elected. In addition, the Trustees may require any
proposed nominee to furnish such other information as they may reasonably
require or deem necessary to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee
to serve as a Trustee. Any Shareholder Notice required by this Section 10.6(c)
in respect of a proposal to fix the number of Trustees shall also set forth a
description of and the text of the proposal, which description and text shall
state a fixed number of Trustees that otherwise complies with applicable law,
these Bylaws and the Declaration of Trust.
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Without limiting the foregoing, any Shareholder who gives a Shareholder
Notice of any matter proposed to be brought before a Shareholder meeting
(whether or not involving nominees for Trustees) shall deliver, as part of such
Shareholder Notice: (i) the description of and text of the proposal to be
presented; (ii) a brief written statement of the reasons why such Shareholder
favors the proposal; (iii) such Shareholder's name and address as they appear on
the Trust's books; (iv) any other information relating to the Shareholder that
would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required
to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies with respect to the
matter(s) proposed pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder; (v) the class or series and number of all
Shares of the Trust owned beneficially and of record by such Shareholder; (vi)
any material interest of such Shareholder in the matter proposed (other than as
a Shareholder); (vii) a representation that the Shareholder intends to appear in
person or by proxy at the Shareholder meeting to act on the matter(s) proposed;
(viii) if the proposal involves nominee(s) for Trustees, a description of all
arrangements or understandings between the Shareholder and each proposed nominee
and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the
nomination(s) are to be made by the Shareholder; and (ix) in the case of a
Beneficial Owner, evidence establishing such Beneficial Owner's indirect
ownership of, and entitlement to vote, Shares at the meeting of Shareholders. As
used in this Section 10.6, Shares "beneficially owned" shall mean all Shares
which such person is deemed to beneficially own pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and
13d-5 under the Exchange Act.
(d) For any matter to be properly before any special meeting, the matter
must be specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of a
majority of the Trustees and a majority of the Continuing Trustees pursuant to
Section 10.2 of these Bylaws. In the event the Trust calls a special meeting for
the purpose of electing one or more Trustees, any Shareholder may nominate a
person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as
specified in the Trust's notice of meeting if and only if the Shareholder
provides a notice containing the information required in the Shareholder Notice
to the Secretary required with respect to annual meetings by Section 10.6(c)
hereof, and such notice is delivered to or mailed and received at the principal
executive office of the Trust not later than the close of business on the tenth
(10th) day following the day on which the date of the special meeting and of the
nominees proposed by the Trustees to be elected at such meeting are publicly
announced or disclosed.
(e) For purposes of this Section 10.6, a matter shall be deemed to have
been "publicly announced or disclosed" if such matter is disclosed in a press
release reported by the Dow Xxxxx News Service, Associated Press or comparable
national news service, in a document publicly filed by the Trust with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or in a Web site accessible to the public
maintained by the Trust or by its investment adviser or an affiliate of such
investment adviser with respect to the Trust.
(f) In no event shall an adjournment or postponement (or a public
announcement thereof) of a meeting of Shareholders commence a new time period
(or extend any time period) for the giving of notice as provided in this Section
10.6.
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(g) The person presiding at any meeting of Shareholders, in addition to
making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the
meeting, shall have the power and duty to (i) determine whether a nomination or
proposal of other matters to be brought before a meeting and notice thereof have
been duly made and given in the manner provided in this Section 10.6 and
elsewhere in these Bylaws and the Declaration of Trust and (ii) if not so made
or given, to direct and declare at the meeting that such nomination and/or such
other matters shall be disregarded and shall not be considered. Any
determination by the person presiding shall be binding on all parties absent
manifest error.
(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.6 or
otherwise in these Bylaws, unless required by federal law, no matter shall be
considered at or brought before any annual or special meeting unless such matter
has been approved for these purposes by a majority of the Continuing Trustees
and, in particular, no Beneficial Owner shall have any rights as a Shareholder
except as may be required by federal law. Furthermore, nothing in this Section
10.6 shall be construed as creating any implication or presumption as to the
requirements of federal law.
ARTICLE 11
Statement Creating Five Series of Auction Preferred Shares
Auction Preferred Shares, Series A: 1,600 shares of beneficial interest of
Preferred Shares, no par value, liquidation preference $25,000 per share plus an
amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or
declared) thereon, is hereby designated "Auction Preferred Shares, Series A."
Each share of Auction Preferred Shares, Series A (sometimes referred to herein
as "Series A APS") may be issued on a date to be determined by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or pursuant to their delegated authority; have an Initial
Dividend Rate and an Initial Dividend Payment Date as shall be determined in
advance of the issuance thereof by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or
pursuant to their delegated authority; and have such other preferences, voting
powers, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of
redemption as are set forth in these By-Laws. The Series A APS shall constitute
a separate series of Preferred Shares of the Trust, and each share of Series A
APS shall be identical.
Auction Preferred Shares, Series B: 1,600 shares of beneficial interest of
Preferred Shares, no par value, liquidation preference $25,000 per share plus an
amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or
declared) thereon, is hereby designated "Auction Preferred Shares, Series B."
Each share of Auction Preferred Shares, Series B (sometimes referred to herein
as "Series B APS") may be issued on a date to be determined by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or pursuant to their delegated authority; have an Initial
Dividend Rate and an Initial Dividend Payment Date as shall be determined in
advance of the issuance thereof by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or
pursuant to their delegated authority; and have such other preferences, voting
powers, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of
redemption as are set forth in these By-Laws. The Series B APS shall constitute
a separate series of Preferred Shares of the Trust, and each share of Series B
APS shall be identical.
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Auction Preferred Shares, Series C: 1,600 shares of beneficial interest of
Preferred Shares, no par value, liquidation preference $25,000 per share plus an
amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or
declared) thereon, is hereby designated "Auction Preferred Shares, Series C."
Each share of Auction Preferred Shares, Series C (sometimes referred to herein
as "Series C APS") may be issued on a date to be determined by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or pursuant to their delegated authority; have an Initial
Dividend Rate and an Initial Dividend Payment Date as shall be determined in
advance of the issuance thereof by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or
pursuant to their delegated authority; and have such other preferences, voting
powers, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of
redemption as are set forth in these By-Laws. The Series C APS shall constitute
a separate series of Preferred Shares of the Trust, and each share of Series C
APS shall be identical.
Auction Preferred Shares, Series D: 1,600 shares of beneficial interest of
Preferred Shares, no par value, liquidation preference $25,000 per share plus an
amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or
declared) thereon, is hereby designated "Auction Preferred Shares, Series D."
Each share of Auction Preferred Shares, Series D (sometimes referred to herein
as "Series D APS") may be issued on a date to be determined by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or pursuant to their delegated authority; have an Initial
Dividend Rate and an Initial Dividend Payment Date as shall be determined in
advance of the issuance thereof by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or
pursuant to their delegated authority; and have such other preferences, voting
powers, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of
redemption as are set forth in these By-Laws. The Series D APS shall constitute
a separate series of Preferred Shares of the Trust, and each share of Series D
APS shall be identical.
Auction Preferred Shares, Series E: 1,600 shares of beneficial interest of
Preferred Shares, no par value, liquidation preference $25,000 per share plus an
amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or
declared) thereon, is hereby designated "Auction Preferred Shares, Series E."
Each share of Auction Preferred Shares, Series E (sometimes referred to herein
as "Series E APS") may be issued on a date to be determined by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or pursuant to their delegated authority; have an Initial
Dividend Rate and an Initial Dividend Payment Date as shall be determined in
advance of the issuance thereof by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or
pursuant to their delegated authority; and have such other preferences, voting
powers, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of
redemption as are set forth in these By-Laws. The Series E APS shall constitute
a separate series of Preferred Shares of the Trust, and each share of Series E
APS shall be identical.
11.1 Definitions. (a) Unless the context or use indicates another or
different meaning or intent, in Article 11 of these By-Laws the following terms
have the following meanings, whether used in the singular or plural:
"'AA' Composite Commercial Paper Rate," on any Valuation Date, means (i)
the Interest Equivalent of the rate on commercial paper placed on behalf of
issuers whose corporate bonds are rated "AA" by S & P or "Aa" by Moody's or the
equivalent of such rating by another
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nationally recognized rating agency, as such rate is made available on a
discount basis or otherwise by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the
Business Day immediately preceding such date, or (ii) in the event that the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not make available such a rate, then the
arithmetic average of the Interest Equivalent of the rate on commercial paper
placed on behalf of such issuers, as quoted on a discount basis or otherwise by
UBS Warburg LLC or its successors that are Commercial Paper Dealers, to the
Auction Agent for the close of business on the Business Day immediately
preceding such date. If one of the Commercial Paper Dealers does not quote a
rate required to determine the "AA" Composite Commercial Paper Rate, the "AA"
Composite Commercial Paper Rate will be determined on the basis of the quotation
or quotations furnished by any Substitute Commercial Paper Dealer or Substitute
Commercial Paper Dealers selected by the Trust to provide such rate or rates not
being supplied by the Commercial Paper Dealer. If the number of Dividend Period
days shall be (i) 7 or more but fewer than 49 days, such rate shall be the
Interest Equivalent of the 30-day rate on such commercial paper; (ii) 49 or more
but fewer than 70 days, such rate shall be the Interest Equivalent of the 60-day
rate on such commercial paper; (iii) 70 or more days but fewer than 85 days,
such rate shall be the arithmetic average of the Interest Equivalent on the
60-day and 90-day rates on such commercial paper; (iv) 85 or more days but fewer
than 99 days, such rate shall be the Interest Equivalent of the 90-day rate on
such commercial paper; (v) 99 or more days but fewer than 120 days, such rate
shall be the arithmetic average of the Interest Equivalent of the 90-day and
120-day rates on such commercial paper; (vi) 120 or more days but fewer than 141
days, such rate shall be the Interest Equivalent of the 120-day rate on such
commercial paper; (vii) 141 or more days but fewer than 162 days, such rate
shall be the arithmetic average of the Interest Equivalent of the 120-day and
180-day rates on such commercial paper; and (viii) 162 or more days but fewer
than 183 days, such rate shall be the Interest Equivalent of the 180-day rate on
such commercial paper.
"Accountant's Confirmation" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.7(c) of
these By-Laws.
"Adviser" means the Trust's investment adviser which initially shall be
PIMCO Advisors L.P.
"Affiliate" means any Person, other than UBS Warburg LLC or its successors,
known to the Auction Agent to be controlled by, in control of, or under common
control with, the Trust.
"Agent Member" means a member of the Securities Depository that will act on
behalf of a Beneficial Owner of one or more APS or on behalf of a Potential
Beneficial Owner.
"APS" means the Series A APS, the Series B APS, the Series C APS, the
Series D APS and the Series E APS.
"APS Basic Maintenance Amount," as of any Valuation Date, means the dollar
amount equal to the sum of (i)(A) the product of the number of shares of APS
Outstanding on such date multiplied by $25,000 (plus the product of the number
of shares of any other series of Preferred Shares Outstanding on such date
multiplied by the liquidation preference of such shares), plus any redemption
premium applicable to APS (or other Preferred Shares) then subject to
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redemption; (B) the aggregate amount of dividends that will have accumulated at
the respective Applicable Rates (whether or not earned or declared) to (but not
including) the first respective Dividend Payment Dates for each series of APS
Outstanding that follow such Valuation Date (plus the aggregate amount of
dividends, whether or not earned or declared, that will have accumulated in
respect of other Outstanding Preferred Shares to (but not including) the first
respective dividend payment dates for such other shares that follow such
Valuation Date); (C) the aggregate amount of dividends that would accumulate on
shares of each series of APS Outstanding from such first respective Dividend
Payment Date therefor through the 49th day after such Valuation Date, at the
Maximum Applicable Rate (calculated as if such Valuation Date were the Auction
Date for the Dividend Period commencing on such Dividend Payment Date) for a
7-Day Dividend Period of shares of such series to commence on such Dividend
Payment Date, assuming, solely for purposes of the foregoing, that if on such
Valuation Date the Trust shall have delivered a Notice of Special Dividend
Period to the Auction Agent with respect to shares of such series, such Maximum
Applicable Rate shall be the higher of (a) the Maximum Applicable Rate for the
Special Dividend Period of shares of such series to commence on such Dividend
Payment Date and (b) the Maximum Applicable Rate for a 7-Day Rate Period of
shares of such series to commence on such Dividend Payment Date, multiplied by
the Moody's Volatility Factor applicable to a 7-Day Dividend Period, or, in the
event the Trust shall have delivered a Notice of Special Dividend Period to the
Auction Agent with respect to shares of such series designating a Special
Dividend Period consisting of 49 days or more, the Moody's Volatility Factor
applicable to a Special Dividend Period of that length (plus the aggregate
amount of dividends that would accumulate at the maximum dividend rate or rates
on any other Preferred Shares Outstanding from such respective dividend payment
dates through the 49th day after such Valuation Date, as established by or
pursuant to the respective statements establishing and fixing the rights and
preferences of such other Preferred Shares) (except that (1) if such Valuation
Date occurs during a Non-Payment Period (or, in the case of Preferred Shares
other than APS, a period similar to a Non-Payment Period), the dividend for
purposes of calculation would accumulate at the then current Non-Payment Period
Rate (or similar rate for Preferred Shares other than APS) and (2) for those
days during the period described in this subparagraph (C) in respect of which
the Applicable Rate in effect immediately prior to such Dividend Payment Date
will remain in effect (or, in the case of Preferred Shares other than APS, in
respect of which the dividend rate or rates in effect immediately prior to such
respective dividend payment dates will remain in effect), the dividend for
purposes of calculation would accumulate at such Applicable Rate (or other rate
or rates, as the case may be) in respect of those days); (D) the amount of
anticipated expenses of the Trust for the 90 days subsequent to such Valuation
Date; (E) the amount of the Trust's Maximum Potential Gross-up Dividend
Liability in respect of shares of APS (and similar amounts payable in respect of
other Preferred Shares) as of such Valuation Date; and (F) any current
liabilities as of such Valuation Date to the extent not reflected in any of
(i)(A) through (i)(E) (including, without limitation, any payables for Municipal
Obligations purchased as of such Valuation Date and any liabilities incurred for
the purpose of clearing securities transactions) less (ii) the value (i.e., the
face value of cash, short-term Municipal Obligations rated XXX-0, XXXX-0 xx X-0,
and short-term securities that are the direct obligation of the U.S. government,
provided in each case that such securities mature on or prior to the date upon
which any of (i)(A) through (i)(F) become payable, otherwise the Moody's
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Discounted Value) of any of the Trust's assets irrevocably deposited by the
Trust for the payment of any of (i)(A) through (i)(F).
"APS Basic Maintenance Cure Date," with respect to the failure by the Trust
to satisfy the APS Basic Maintenance Amount (as required by Section 11.7(a) of
these By-Laws) as of a given Valuation Date, means the tenth Business Day
following such Valuation Date.
"APS Basic Maintenance Report" means a report signed by any of the
President, Treasurer, any Senior Vice President or any Vice President of the
Trust which sets forth, as of the related Valuation Date, the assets of the
Trust, the Market Value and the Discounted Value thereof (seriatim and in
aggregate), and the APS Basic Maintenance Amount.
"Applicable Percentage" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.10(a)(vii)
of these By-Laws.
"Applicable Rate" means the rate per annum at which cash dividends are
payable on the APS for any Dividend Period.
"Auction" means a periodic operation of the Auction Procedures.
"Auction Agent" means Bankers Trust Company unless and until another
commercial bank, trust company or other financial institution appointed by a
resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust or a duly authorized committee
thereof enters into an agreement with the Trust to follow the Auction Procedures
for the purpose of determining the Applicable Rate and to act as transfer agent,
registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for the APS.
"Auction Procedures" means the procedures for conducting Auctions set forth
in Section 11.10 of these By-Laws.
"Beneficial Owner" means a customer of a Broker-Dealer who is listed on the
records of that Broker-Dealer (or, if applicable, the Auction Agent) as a holder
of APS or a Broker-Dealer that holds APS for its own account.
"Broker-Dealer" means any broker-dealer, or other entity permitted by law
to perform the functions required of a Broker-Dealer pursuant to Section 11.10
of these By-Laws, that has been selected by the Trust and has entered into a
Broker-Dealer Agreement with the Auction Agent that remains effective.
"Broker-Dealer Agreement" means an agreement between the Auction Agent and
a Broker-Dealer pursuant to which such Broker-Dealer agrees to follow the
procedures specified in Section 11.10 of these By-Laws.
"Business Day" means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for
trading and which is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks in New
York City are authorized or obligated by law to close.
"Closing Transactions" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.8(a) of
these By-Laws.
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"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Commercial Paper Dealers" means UBS Warburg LLC and such other commercial
paper dealer or dealers as the Trust may from time to time appoint or, in lieu
thereof, their respective affiliates or successors.
"Common Shares" means the shares of beneficial interest designated as
common shares, no par value, of the Trust.
"Date of Original Issue" means, with respect to any share of APS, the date
on which the Trust first issues such share.
"Declaration of Trust" means the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the
Trust dated May 9, 2001, as from time to time amended and supplemented.
"Deposit Securities" means cash and Municipal Obligations rated at least A2
(having a remaining maturity of 12 months or less), X-0, XXXX-0 xx XXX-0 by
Moody's or A (having a remaining maturity of 12 months or less), A-1+ or SP-1+
by S & P.
"Discount Factor" means a Moody's Discount Factor.
"Discounted Value" of any asset of the Trust means with respect to a
Moody's Eligible Asset, the quotient of the Market Value thereof divided by the
applicable Moody's Discount Factor.
"Dividend Payment Date," with respect to APS, has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.2(b)(i) of these By-Laws.
"Dividend Period" means the Initial Dividend Period, any 7-Day Dividend
Period and any Special Dividend Period.
"Eligible Assets" means Moody's Eligible Assets.
"Existing Holder" means a Broker-Dealer, or any such other Person that may
be permitted by the Trust, that is listed as the holder of record of APS in the
Share Books.
"Federal Tax Rate Increase" has the meaning set forth under the definition
of "Moody's Volatility Factor" below.
"Forward Commitment" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.8(d) of these
By-Laws.
"Gross-Up Dividend" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2(e) of these
By-Laws.
"Holder" means a Person identified as a holder of record of APS in the
Share Register.
"Independent Accountant" means a nationally recognized accountant, or firm
of accountants, that is, with respect to the Trust, an independent public
accountant or firm of independent public accountants under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended.
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"Initial Dividend Payment Date" means, with respect to a series of APS, the
Initial Dividend Payment Date as determined by the Board of Trustees of the
Trust with respect to such series.
"Initial Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2(c)(i)
of these By-Laws.
"Initial Dividend Rate" means the rate per annum applicable to the Initial
Dividend Period for such series of APS.
"Interest Equivalent" means a yield on a 360-day basis of a discount basis
security which is equal to the yield on an equivalent interest-bearing security.
"Issue Type Category" means, with respect to a Municipal Obligation
acquired by the Trust, for purposes of calculating Moody's Eligible Assets as of
any Valuation Date, one of the following categories into which such Municipal
Obligation falls based upon a good faith determination by the Trust: health care
issues (including issues related to teaching and non-teaching hospitals, public
or private, and elder-care facilities, including nursing homes); housing issues
(including issues related to single- and multi-family housing projects);
educational facilities issues (including issues related to public and private
schools); student loan issues; resource recovery issues; transportation issues
(including issues related to mass transit, airports and highways); industrial
development bond issues (including issues related to pollution control
facilities); utility issues (including issues related to the provision of gas,
water, sewers and electricity); general obligation issues; lease obligations
(including certificates of participation); escrowed bonds; issues backed by
tobacco settlement funds; issues backed by tobacco settlements; and other issues
("Other Issues") not falling within one of the aforementioned categories. The
general obligation issue category includes any issue that is directly or
indirectly guaranteed by any state or any political subdivision of a state.
Utility issues are included in the general obligation issue category if the
issue is directly or indirectly guaranteed by a state or any political
subdivision of a state. Municipal Obligations in the utility issue category will
be classified within one of the three following sub-categories: (i) electric,
gas and combination issues (if the combination issue includes an electric
issue); (ii) water and sewer utilities and combination issues (if the
combination issues does not include an electric issue); and (iii) irrigation,
resource recovery, solid waste and other utilities. Municipal Obligations in the
transportation issue category will be classified within one of the two following
sub-categories: (i) streets and highways, toll roads, bridges and tunnels,
airports and multi-purpose port authorities (multiple revenue streams generated
by toll roads, airports, real estate, bridges); (ii) mass transit, parking
seaports and others.
"Long Term Dividend Period" means a Special Dividend Period consisting of a
specified period of one whole year or more but not greater than five years.
"Liens" shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of "Moody's
Eligible Asset" below.
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"Mandatory Redemption Price" means $25,000 per share of APS plus an amount
equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) to
the date fixed for redemption, but excluding Gross-up Dividends.
"Marginal Tax Rate" means the maximum marginal regular Federal individual
income tax rate applicable to an individual's or a corporation's ordinary
income, whichever is greater.
"Market Value" of any asset of the Trust shall be the market value thereof
determined by the Pricing Service. Market Value of any asset shall include any
interest accrued thereon. The Pricing Service shall value portfolio securities
at the quoted bid prices or the mean between the quoted bid and asked price or
the yield equivalent when quotations are not readily available. Securities for
which quotations are not readily available shall be valued at fair value as
determined by the Pricing Service using methods which include consideration of:
yields or prices of municipal obligations of comparable quality, type of issue,
coupon, maturity and rating; indications as to value from dealers; and general
market conditions. The Pricing Service may employ electronic data processing
techniques and/or a matrix system to determine valuations. In the event the
Pricing Service is unable to value a security, the security shall be valued at
the lower of two dealer bids obtained by the Trust from dealers who are members
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and who make a market in
the security, at least one of which shall be in writing. Futures contracts and
options are valued at closing prices for such instruments established by the
exchange or board of trade on which they are traded, or if market quotations are
not readily available, are valued at fair value on a consistent basis using
methods determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.
"Maximum Applicable Rate," with respect to APS, has the meaning set forth
in Section 11.10(a)(vii) of these By-Laws.
"Maximum Potential Gross-Up Dividend Liability" means, as of any Valuation
Date, the aggregate amount of Gross-Up Dividends that would be due if the Trust
were to make Retroactive Taxable Allocations, with respect to any fiscal year,
estimated based upon dividends paid and the amount of undistributed realized net
capital gains and other taxable income earned by the Trust, as of the end of the
calendar month immediately preceding such Valuation Date and assuming such
Gross-Up Dividends are fully taxable.
"Moody's" means Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc. or its successors.
"Moody's Discount Factor" shall mean, for purposes of determining the
Discounted Value of any Moody's Eligible Asset, the percentage determined by
reference to the rating on such asset and the shortest Exposure Period set forth
opposite such rating that is the same length as or is longer than the Moody's
Exposure Period, in accordance with the table set forth below:
Exposure Period Aaa* Aa* A* Baa* Other** (V)MIG-1*** SP-1+**** Unrated*****
--------------- ---- --- --- ---- ------- ----------- --------- ------------
7 weeks 151% 159% 166% 173% 187% 136% 148% 225%
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8 weeks or less but greater
than seven weeks. 154 161 168 176 190 137 149 231
9 weeks or less but greater
than eight weeks 158 163 170 177 192 138 150 240
----------
* Xxxxx'x rating.
** Municipal Obligations not rated by Moody's but rated BBB by S & P.
*** Municipal Obligations rated MIG-1 or VMIG-1, which do not mature or have a
demand feature at par exercisable in 30 days and which do not have a
long-term rating.
**** Municipal Obligations not rated by Moody's but rated SP-1+ by S & P, which
do not mature or have a demand feature at par exercisable in 30 days and
which do not have a long-term rating.
***** Municipal Obligations rated less than Baa3 or not rated by Moody's and
less than BBB or not rated by S & P, not to exceed 10% of Moody's Eligible
Assets.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) except as provided in clause (ii) below, the
Moody's Discount Factor for short-term Municipal Obligations will be 115%, so
long as such Municipal Obligations are rated at least MIG-1, VMIG-l or P-1 by
Moody's and mature or have a demand feature at par exercisable in 30 days or
less, or 125%, as long as such Municipal Obligations are rated at least A-1+/AA
or SP-1+/AA by S & P and mature or have a demand feature at par exercisable in
30 days or less, (ii) the Moody's Discount Factor for residual interest
municipal bonds and structured notes shall be the product of (x) the percentage
determined by reference to the rating on the security underlying such residual
interest municipal bond multiplied by (y) 1.25 (provided that the trust in which
such residual interest municipal bond is held may be terminated within five
business days), and (iii) except as provided in clause (ii) above, no Moody's
Discount Factor will be applied to cash, Receivables for Municipal Obligations
Sold, or futures, options and similar instruments (to the extent such securities
are Moody's Eligible Assets); provided, however, that for purposes of
determining the Moody's Discount Factor applicable to a Municipal Obligation,
any Municipal Obligation (excluding any short-term Municipal Obligation) not
rated by Moody's but rated by S & P shall be deemed to have a Xxxxx'x rating
which is one full rating category lower than its S & P rating.
"Moody's Eligible Asset" shall mean cash, Receivables for Municipal
Obligations Sold, futures and options (to the extent entered into in Moody's
Hedging Transactions) and similar instruments (including residual interest
municipal bonds (provided that the trust in which such residual interest
municipal bond is held may be terminated within five business days) and
structured notes), or a Municipal Obligation that (i) pays interest in cash,
(ii) does not have its Xxxxx'x rating, as applicable, suspended by Moody's, and
(iii) is part of an issue of Municipal Obligations of at least $5,000,000,
except that the minimum issue size is $10,000,000 for Municipal Obligations
rated below A by Moody's and Municipal Obligations within the healthcare Issuer
Type Category and, in the case of residual interests municipal bonds, the
minimum issue size of the Municipal Obligation underlying the residual interest
municipal bond is $10,000,000. For purposes of the foregoing, an "issue" of a
residual interest municipal bond shall be interpreted to refer to all similar
securities issued by the trust in which the residual
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interest municipal bond is held and not only to the particular securities issued
to the Trust. Except for general obligation bonds, Municipal Obligations issued
by any one issuer and rated BBB or lower or not rated by S & P and rated Ba or B
or not rated by Moody's ("Other Securities") may comprise no more than 4% of
total Moody's Eligible Assets; such Other Securities, if any, together with any
Municipal Obligations issued by the same issuer and rated Baa by Moody's or A by
S & P, may comprise no more than 6% of total Moody's Eligible Assets; such Other
Securities, Baa and A-rated Municipal Obligations, if any, together with any
Municipal Obligations issued by the same issuer and rated A by Moody's or AA by
S & P, may comprise no more than 10% of total Moody's Eligible Assets; and such
Other Securities, Baa, A and AA-rated Municipal Obligations, if any, together
with any Municipal Obligations issued by the same issuer and rated Aa by Moody's
or AAA by S & P, may comprise no more than 20% of total Moody's Eligible Assets.
For purposes of the foregoing sentence, any Municipal Obligation backed by the
guaranty, letter of credit or insurance issued by a third party shall be deemed
to be issued by such third party if the issuance of such third party credit is
the sole determinant of the rating on such Municipal Obligation. Other
Securities falling within a particular Issue Type Category may comprise no more
than 12% of total Moody's Eligible Assets; such Other Securities, if any,
together with any Municipal Obligations falling within a particular Issue Type
Category and rated Baa by Moody's or A by S & P, may comprise no more than 20%
of total Moody's Eligible Assets; such Other Securities, Baa and A-rated
Municipal Obligations, if any, together with any Municipal Obligations falling
within a particular Issue Type Category and rated A by Moody's or AA by S & P,
may comprise no more than 40% of total Moody's Eligible Assets; and such Other
Securities, Baa, A and AA-rated Municipal Obligations, if any, together with any
Municipal Obligations falling within a particular Issue Type Category and rated
Aa by Moody's or AAA by S & P, may comprise no more than 60% of total Moody's
Eligible Assets. For purposes of this definition, a Municipal Obligation shall
be deemed to be rated BBB by S & P if rated BBB-, BBB or BBB+ by S & P.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this definition, in no event may (i)
student loan Municipal Obligations comprise more than 10% of Moody's Eligible
Assets; (ii) resource recovery Municipal Obligations comprise more than 10% of
Moody's Eligible Assets; and (iii) Other Issues comprise more than 10% of
Moody's Eligible Assets. For purposes of applying the foregoing requirements,
Municipal Obligations rated XXX-0, XXXX-0 or P-1 or, if not rated by Moody's,
rated A-1+/AA or SP-1+/AA by S & P, shall be considered to have a long-term
rating of A. When the Trust sells a Municipal Obligation and agrees to
repurchase such Municipal Obligation at a future date, such Municipal Obligation
shall be valued at its Discounted Value for purposes of determining Moody's
Eligible Assets, and the amount of the repurchase price of such Municipal
Obligation shall be included as a liability for purposes of calculating the APS
Basic Maintenance Amount. When the Trust purchases a Moody's Eligible Asset and
agrees to sell it at a future date, such Eligible Asset shall be valued at the
amount of cash to be received by the Trust upon such future date, provided that
the counterparty to the transaction has a long-term debt rating of at least A2
from Moody's and the transaction has a term of no more than 30 days, otherwise
such Eligible Asset shall be valued at the Discounted Value of such Eligible
Asset.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an asset will not be considered a Moody's
Eligible Asset to the extent it is (i) subject to any material lien, mortgage,
pledge, security interest or security agreement of any kind (collectively,
"Liens"), except for (a) Liens which are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and which Moody's has indicated to the Trust will not
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affect the status of such asset as a Moody's Eligible Asset, (b) Liens for taxes
that are not then due and payable or that can be paid thereafter without
penalty, (c) Liens to secure payment for services rendered or cash advanced to
the Trust by PIMCO Advisors, PIMCO or their affiliates, State Street Bank and
Trust Company or the Auction Agent and (d) Liens by virtue of any repurchase
agreement; (ii) deposited irrevocably for the payment of any liabilities for
purposes of determining the APS Basic Maintenance Amount; or (iii) held in a
margin account.
"Moody's Exposure Period" means the period commencing on a given Valuation
Date and ending 49 days thereafter.
"Moody's Hedging Transactions" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.8(a)
of these By-Laws.
"Xxxxx'x Volatility Factor" means as of any Valuation Date, (i) in the case
of any 7-Day Dividend Period, any Special Dividend Period of 28 days or fewer,
or any Special Dividend Period of 57 days or more, a multiplicative factor equal
to 275%, except as otherwise provided in the last sentence of this definition;
(ii) in the case of any Special Dividend Period of more than 28 but fewer than
36 days, a multiplicative factor equal to 203%; (iii) in the case of any Special
Dividend Period of more than 35 but fewer than 43 days, a multiplicative factor
equal to 217%; (iv) in the case of any Special Dividend Period of more than 42
but fewer than 50 days, a multiplicative factor equal to 226%; and (v) in the
case of any Special Dividend Period of more than 49 but fewer than 57 days, a
multiplicative factor equal to 235%. If, as a result of the enactment of changes
to the Code, the Marginal Tax Rate will increase, such increase being rounded up
to the next five percentage points (the "Federal Tax Rate Increase"), until the
effective date of such increase, the Moody's Volatility Factor in the case of
any Dividend Period described in (i) above in this definition instead shall be
determined by reference to the following table:
Volatility
Federal Tax Rate Increase Factor
------------------------- ----------
5%...................... 295%
10%...................... 317%
15%...................... 341%
20%...................... 369%
25%...................... 400%
30%...................... 436%
35%...................... 477%
40%...................... 525%
"Municipal Obligations" means municipal obligations, including municipal
bonds and short-term municipal obligations, the interest from which is exempt
from federal income taxes.
"Municipal Index" means the Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index.
"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time
to time.
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"1940 Act APS Asset Coverage" means asset coverage, as defined in section
18(h) of the 1940 Act, of at least 200% with respect to all Outstanding senior
securities of the Trust which are shares of beneficial interest, including APS
(or such other asset coverage as may in the future be specified in or under the
1940 Act as the minimum asset coverage for senior securities which are shares of
beneficial interest of a closed-end investment company as a condition of paying
dividends on its common shares).
"1940 Act Cure Date," with respect to the failure by the Trust to maintain
the 1940 Act APS Asset Coverage (as required by these By-Laws) as of the last
Business Day of each month, means the last Business Day of the following month.
"Non-Call Period" has the meaning set forth under the definition of
"Specific Redemption Provisions."
"Non-Payment Period" means a period commencing on and including a Dividend
Payment Date or redemption date for which the Trust shall fail to (i) declare,
prior to the close of business on the second Business Day preceding such
Dividend Payment Date, for payment on or (to the extent permitted by Section
11.2(c)(i) of these By-Laws) within three Business Days after such Dividend
Payment Date to the Holders as of 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the
Business Day preceding such Dividend Payment Date, the full amount of any
dividend on APS payable on such Dividend Payment Date, or (ii) deposit,
irrevocably in trust, in same-day funds, with the Auction Agent by 12:00 noon,
New York City time, (A) on such Dividend Payment Date the full amount of any
cash dividend on such shares payable (if declared) on such Dividend Payment Date
or (B) on any such redemption date for any shares of APS called for redemption,
the Mandatory Redemption Price per share of such APS or, in the case of an
optional redemption, the Optional Redemption Price per share, and ending on and
including the Business Day on which, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, all
unpaid cash dividends and unpaid redemption prices shall have been so deposited
or shall have otherwise been made available to Holders in same-day funds;
provided that, a Non-Payment Period shall not end unless the Trust shall have
given at least five days' but no more than 30 days' written notice of such
deposit or availability to the Auction Agent, all Existing Holders (at their
addresses appearing in the Share Books) and the Securities Depository.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure by the Trust to deposit funds as
provided for by clauses (ii)(A) or (ii)(B) above within three Business Days
after any Dividend Payment Date or redemption date, as the case may be, in each
case to the extent contemplated by Section 11.2(c)(i) of these By-Laws, shall
not constitute a "Non-Payment Period."
"Non-Payment Period Rate" means, initially, 200% of the applicable
Reference Rate (or 275% of such rate if the Trust has provided notification to
the Auction Agent prior to the Auction establishing the Applicable Rate for any
dividend that net capital gains or other taxable income will be included in such
dividend the APS), provided that the Board of Trustees of the Trust shall have
the authority to adjust, modify, alter or change from time to time the initial
Non-Payment Period Rate if the Board of Trustees of the Trust determines and
Moody's (and any Substitute Rating Agency in lieu of Moody's in the event
Moody's shall not rate the APS) advise the Trust in writing that such
adjustment, modification, alteration or change will not adversely affect its
then current ratings on the APS.
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"Normal Dividend Payment Date" has the meaning set forth in Section
11.2(b)(i) of these By-Laws.
"Notice of Redemption" means any notice with respect to the redemption of
shares of APS pursuant to Section 11.4 of these By-Laws.
"Notice of Revocation" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2(c)(iii) of
these By-Laws.
"Notice of Special Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth in Section
11.2(c)(iii) of these By-Laws.
"Optional Redemption Price" means $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to
accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) to the date
fixed for redemption plus any applicable redemption premium attributable to the
designation of a Premium Call Period, but excluding Gross-up Dividends.
"Other Issues" has the meaning set forth in the definition of "Issue Type
Category."
"Other Securities" has the meaning set forth in the definition of "Moody's
Eligible Asset."
"Outstanding" means, as of any date (i) with respect to APS, shares of APS
therefor issued by the Trust except, without duplication, (A) any shares of APS
theretofore canceled or delivered to the Auction Agent for cancellation, or
redeemed by the Trust, or as to which a Notice of Redemption shall have been
given and Deposit Securities shall have been deposited in trust or segregated by
the Trust pursuant to Section 11.4(c) hereto and (B) any shares of APS as to
which the Trust or any Affiliate (other than an Affiliate that is a
Broker-Dealer) thereof shall be a Beneficial Owner, provided that shares of APS
held by an Affiliate shall be deemed outstanding for purposes of calculating the
APS Basic Maintenance Amount and (ii) with respect to other Preferred Shares,
has the equivalent meaning.
"Parity Shares" means the APS and each other outstanding series of
Preferred Shares the holders of which, together with the holders of the APS,
shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, as the case may be, in proportion to the
full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled, without
preference or priority one over the other.
"Person" means and includes an individual, a partnership, a trust, an
unincorporated association, a joint venture or other entity or a government or
any agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Potential Beneficial Owner" means a customer of a Broker-Dealer or a
Broker-Dealer that is not a Beneficial Owner of APS but that wishes to purchase
such shares, or that is a Beneficial Owner that wishes to purchase additional
APS.
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"Potential Holder" means any Broker-Dealer or any such other Person as may
be permitted by the Trust, including any Existing Holder, who may be interested
in acquiring APS (or, in the case of an Existing Holder, additional APS).
"Preferred Shares" means preferred shares of beneficial interest of the
Trust, and includes APS.
"Premium Call Period" has the meaning set forth under the definition of
"Specific Redemption Provisions."
"Pricing Service" means Standard & Poor's/X.X. Xxxxx or any pricing service
designated by the Board of Trustees of the Trust for purposes of determining
whether the Trust has Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value
that equals or exceeds the APS Basic Maintenance Amount.
"Quarterly Valuation Date" means the last Business Day of the last month of
each fiscal quarter of the Trust in each fiscal year of the Trust, commencing
October 31, 2001.
"Rating Agency" means a nationally recognized statistical rating
organization.
"Receivables for Municipal Obligations Sold" has the meaning set forth
under the definition of Xxxxx'x Discount Factor.
"Reference Rate" means: (i) with respect to a Dividend Period or a Short
Term Dividend Period having 28 or fewer days, the higher of the applicable "AA"
Composite Commercial Paper Rate and the Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term
Municipal Obligation Rate, (ii) with respect to any Short Term Dividend Period
having more than 28 but fewer than 183 days, the applicable "AA" Composite
Commercial Paper Rate, (iii) with respect to any Short Term Dividend Period
having 183 or more but fewer than 364 days, the applicable U.S. Treasury Xxxx
Rate and (iv) with respect to any Long Term Dividend Period, the applicable U.S.
Treasury Note Rate.
"Request for Special Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth in Section
11.2(c)(iii) of these By-Laws.
"Response" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2(c)(ii) of these
By-Laws.
"Retroactive Taxable Allocation" has the meaning set forth in Section
11.2(e) of these By-Laws.
"Right" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2(e) of these By-Laws.
"S & P" means Standard & Poor's, a division of The XxXxxx-Xxxx Companies,
Inc., or its successors.
"Securities Depository" means The Depository Trust Company and its
successors and assigns or any successor securities depository selected by the
Trust as securities depository for
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the APS that agrees to follow the procedures required to be followed by such
securities depository in connection with the APS.
"Service" means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
"Series A APS" means the Auction Preferred Shares, Series A.
"Series B APS" means the Auction Preferred Shares, Series B.
"Series C APS" means the Auction Preferred Shares, Series C.
"Series D APS" means the Auction Preferred Shares, Series D.
"Series E APS" means the Auction Preferred Shares, Series E.
"7-Day Dividend Period" means a Dividend Period consisting of seven days.
"Short Term Dividend Period" means a Special Dividend Period consisting of
a specified number of days, evenly divisible by seven and not fewer than
fourteen nor more than 364.
"Special Dividend Period" means a Short Term Dividend Period or a Long Term
Dividend Period.
"Specific Redemption Provisions" means, with respect to a Special Dividend
Period either, or both of, (i) a period (a "Non-Call Period") determined by the
Board of Trustees of the Trust, after consultation with the Auction Agent and
the Broker-Dealers, during which the APS subject to such Dividend Period shall
not be subject to redemption at the option of the Trust and (ii) a period (a
"Premium Call Period"), consisting of a number of whole years and determined by
the Board of Trustees of the Trust, after consultation with the Auction Agent
and the Broker-Dealers, during each year of which the APS subject to such
Dividend Period shall be redeemable at the Trust's option at a price per share
equal to $25,000 plus accumulated but unpaid dividends plus a premium expressed
as a percentage of $25,000, as determined by the Board of Trustees of the Trust
after consultation with the Auction Agent and the Broker-Dealers.
"Share Books" means the books maintained by the Auction Agent setting forth
at all times a current list, as determined by the Auction Agent, of Existing
Holders of the APS.
"Share Register" means the register of Holders maintained on behalf of the
Trust by the Auction Agent in its capacity as transfer agent and registrar for
the APS.
"Subsequent Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth in Section
11.2(c)(i) of these By-Laws.
"Substitute Commercial Paper Dealers" means such substitute commercial
paper dealer or dealers as the Trust may from time to time appoint or, in lieu
of any thereof, their respective affiliates or successors.
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"Substitute Rating Agency" means a Rating Agency selected by UBS Warburg
LLC or its affiliates and successors, after consultation with the Trust, to act
as the substitute Rating Agency to determine the credit ratings of the APS.
"Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Obligations Rate" on any
date means 90% of the quotient of (A) the per annum rate expressed on an
interest equivalent basis equal to the Xxxxx S & P 30 day High Grade Index or
any successor index (the "Xxxxx Index"), made available for the Business Day
immediately preceding such date but in any event not later than 8:30 A.M., New
York City time, on such date by Xxxxx Information Systems Inc. or any successor
thereto, based upon 30-day yield evaluations at par of short-term bonds the
interest on which is excludable for regular Federal income tax purposes under
the Code of "high grade" component issuers selected by Xxxxx Information Systems
Inc. or any such successor from time to time in its discretion, which component
issuers shall include, without limitation, issuers of general obligation bonds
but shall exclude any bonds the interest on which constitutes an item of tax
preference for purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax for individuals,
divided by (B) 1.00 minus the Marginal Tax Rate (expressed as a decimal);
provided, however, that if the Xxxxx Index is not made so available by 8:30
A.M., New York City time, on such date by Xxxxx Information Systems Inc. or any
successor, the Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Obligation Rate
shall mean the quotient of (A) the per annum rate expressed on an interest
equivalent basis equal to the most recent Xxxxx Index so made available for any
preceding Business Day, divided by (B) 1.00 minus the Marginal Tax Rate
(expressed as a decimal). The Trust may not utilize a successor index to the
Xxxxx Index unless Moody's provides the Trust with written confirmation that the
use of such successor index will not adversely affect the then-current Xxxxx'x
rating of the APS.
"Treasury Bonds" means United States Treasury Bonds or Notes.
"U.S. Treasury Xxxx Rate" on any date means (i) the Interest Equivalent of
the rate on the actively traded Treasury Xxxx with a maturity most nearly
comparable to the length of the related Dividend Period, as such rate is made
available on a discount basis or otherwise by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York in its Composite 3:30 P.M. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities report
for such Business Day, or (ii) if such yield as so calculated is not available,
the Alternate Treasury Xxxx Rate on such date. For purposes of determining the
"U.S. Treasury Xxxx Rate" the "Alternate Treasury Xxxx Rate" on any date means
the Interest Equivalent of the yield as calculated by reference to the
arithmetic average of the bid price quotations of the actively traded Treasury
Xxxx with a maturity most nearly comparable to the length of the related
Dividend Period, as determined by bid price quotations as of any time on the
Business Day immediately preceding such date, obtained from at least three
recognized primary U.S. Government securities dealers selected by the Auction
Agent.
"U.S. Treasury Note Rate" on any date means (i) the yield as calculated by
reference to the bid price quotation of the actively traded, current coupon
Treasury Note with a maturity most nearly comparable to the length of the
related Dividend Period, as such bid price quotation is published on the
Business Day immediately preceding such date by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York in its Composite 3:30 P.M. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities report
for such Business Day, or (ii) if such yield as so calculated is not available,
the Alternate Treasury Note
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Rate on such date. For purposes of determining the U.S. Treasury Note Rate, the
"Alternate Treasury Note Rate" on any date means the yield as calculated by
reference to the arithmetic average of the bid price quotations of the actively
traded, current coupon Treasury Note with a maturity most nearly comparable to
the length of the related Dividend Period, as determined by the bid price
quotations as of any time on the Business Day immediately preceding such date,
obtained from at least three recognized primary U.S. Government securities
dealers selected by the Auction Agent.
"Valuation Date" means, for purposes of determining whether the Trust is
maintaining the Preferred Shares Basic Maintenance Amount, the last Business Day
of each week commencing with the Date of Original Issue.
"Voting Period" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.5(b) of these
By-Laws.
(b) The foregoing definitions of Accountant's Confirmation, APS Basic
Maintenance Amount, APS Basic Maintenance Cure Date, APS Basic Maintenance
Report, Closing Transactions, Deposit Securities, Discounted Value, Forward
Commitment, Independent Accountant, Market Value, Maximum Potential Gross-Up
Dividend Liability, Moody's Discount Factor, Moody's Eligible Asset, Moody's
Exposure Period, Moody's Hedging Transactions, Moody's Volatility Factor,
Municipal Index, Treasury Bonds and Valuation Date have been determined by the
Board of Trustees of the Trust in order to obtain a "aaa" rating from Moody's on
the APS on their Date of Original Issue; and the Board of Trustees of the Trust
shall have the authority, without shareholder approval, to amend, alter or
repeal from time to time the foregoing definitions and the restrictions and
guidelines set forth thereunder if Moody's or any Substitute Rating Agency
advises the Trust in writing that such amendment, alteration or repeal will not
adversely affect its then current rating on the APS.
11.2 Dividends. (a) The Holders of a particular series of APS shall be
entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Trustees of the
Trust, out of funds legally available therefor, cumulative dividends each
consisting of (i) cash at the Applicable Rate, (ii) a Right to receive cash as
set forth in Section 11.2(e) below, and (iii) any additional amounts as set
forth in Section 11.2(f) below, and no more, payable on the respective dates set
forth below. Dividends on the shares of each series of APS so declared and
payable shall be paid (i) in preference to and in priority over any dividends
declared and payable on the Common Shares, and (ii) to the extent permitted
under the Code and to the extent available, out of net tax-exempt income earned
on the Trust's investments. To the extent permitted under the Code, dividends on
APS will be designated as exempt-interest dividends. For the purposes of this
section, the term "net tax-exempt income" shall exclude capital gains of the
Trust.
(b) (i) Cash dividends on shares of each series of APS shall accumulate
from the Date of Original Issue and shall be payable, when, as and if declared
by the Board of Trustees, out of funds legally available therefor, commencing on
the Initial Dividend Payment Date. Following the Initial Dividend Payment Date
for a series of APS, dividends on that series of APS will be payable, at the
option of the Trust, either (i) with respect to any 7-Day Dividend Period and
any Short Term Dividend Period of 35 or fewer days, on the day next succeeding
the last day thereof, or (ii) with respect to any Short Term Dividend Period of
more than 35 days and with respect to any Long Term Dividend Period, monthly on
the first Business Day of each calendar month
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during such Short Term Dividend Period or Long Term Dividend Period and on the
day next succeeding the last day thereof (each such date referred to in clause
(i) or (ii) being herein referred to as a "Normal Dividend Payment Date"),
except that if such Normal Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day, then the
Dividend Payment Date shall be the first Business Day next succeeding such
Normal Dividend Payment Date. Although any particular Dividend Payment Date may
not occur on the originally scheduled date because of the exceptions discussed
above, the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date, subject to such exceptions,
will occur on the next following originally scheduled date. If for any reason a
Dividend Period for a Series of APS is scheduled to begin on the same day and
end on the same day as a Dividend Period for another Series of APS, then the
last day of such Dividend Period for such other Series of APS shall be the
second Business Day next succeeding such scheduled day unless the Trust obtains
the opinion of tax counsel referred to in this paragraph. Subject to the
limitation in the next sentence, if for any reason a Dividend Payment Date
cannot be fixed as described above, then the Board of Trustees shall fix the
Dividend Payment Date. However, Dividend Periods of any series of APS shall not
be co-extensive with the Dividend Period of any other series of APS unless the
Trust has received an opinion of tax counsel that having such co-extensive
periods will not affect the deductibility, for federal income tax purposes, of
dividends paid on the different series of APS. The Board of Trustees before
authorizing a dividend may change a Dividend Payment Date if such change does
not adversely affect the contract rights of the Holders of APS set forth in the
Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws. The Initial Dividend Period, 7-Day Dividend
Periods and Special Dividend Periods with respect to a series of APS are
hereinafter sometimes referred to as "Dividend Periods." Each dividend payment
date determined as provided above is hereinafter referred to as a "Dividend
Payment Date."
(ii) Each dividend shall be paid to the Holders as they appear in the Stock
Register as of 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Business Day preceding the
Dividend Payment Date. Dividends in arrears for any past Dividend Period may be
declared and paid at any time, without reference to any regular Dividend Payment
Date, to the Holders as they appear on the Stock Register on a date, not
exceeding 15 days prior to the payment date therefor, as may be fixed by the
Board of Trustees of the Trust.
(c) (i) During the period from and including the Date of Original Issue to
but excluding the Initial Dividend Payment Date for a series of APS (the
"Initial Dividend Period"), the Applicable Rate for such series of APS shall be
the Initial Dividend Rate. Commencing on the Initial Dividend Payment Date for a
series of APS, the Applicable Rate on that series for each subsequent dividend
period (hereinafter referred to as a "Subsequent Dividend Period"), which
Subsequent Dividend Period shall commence on and include a Dividend Payment Date
and shall end on and include the calendar day prior to the next Dividend Payment
Date (or last Dividend Payment Date in a Dividend Period if there is more than
one Dividend Payment Date), shall be equal to the rate per annum that results
from implementation of the Auction Procedures.
For a series of APS, the Applicable Rate for such series for each Dividend
Period commencing during a Non-Payment Period shall be equal to the Non-Payment
Period Rate; and each Dividend Period, commencing after the first day of, and
during, a Non-Payment Period shall be a 7-Day Dividend Period. Except in the
case of the willful failure of the Trust to pay a dividend on a Dividend Payment
Date or to redeem any shares of APS on the date set for such
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redemption, any amount of any dividend due on any Dividend Payment Date (if,
prior to the close of business on the second Business Day preceding such
Dividend Payment Date, the Trust has declared such dividend payable on such
Dividend Payment Date to the Holders of such shares of APS as of 12:00 noon, New
York City time, on the Business Day preceding such Dividend Payment Date) or
redemption price with respect to any shares of APS not paid to such Holders when
due may be paid to such Holders in the same form of funds by 12:00 noon, New
York City time, on any of the first three Business Days after such Dividend
Payment Date or due date, as the case may be, provided that, such amount is
accompanied by a late charge calculated for such period of non-payment at the
Non-Payment Period Rate applied to the amount of such non-payment based on the
actual number of days comprising such period divided by 365, and in such case
such period shall not constitute a Non-Payment Period. In the case of a willful
failure of the Trust to pay a dividend on a Dividend Payment Date or to redeem
any shares of APS on the date set for such redemption, the preceding sentence
shall not apply and the Applicable Rate for the Dividend Period commencing
during the Non-Payment Period resulting from such failure shall be the
Non-Payment Period Rate. For the purposes of the foregoing, payment to a person
in same-day funds on any Business Day at any time shall be considered equivalent
to payment to such person in New York Clearing House (next-day) funds at the
same time on the preceding Business Day, and any payment made after 12:00 noon,
New York City time, on any Business Day shall be considered to have been made
instead in the same form of funds and to the same person before 12:00 noon, New
York City time, on the next Business Day.
(ii) The amount of cash dividends per share of any series of APS payable
(if declared) on the Initial Dividend Payment Date, each 7-Day Dividend Period
and each Dividend Payment Date of each Short Term Dividend Period shall be
computed by multiplying the Applicable Rate for such Dividend Period by a
fraction, the numerator of which will be the number of days in such Dividend
Period or part thereof that such share was outstanding and the denominator of
which will be 365, multiplying the amount so obtained by $25,000, and rounding
the amount so obtained to the nearest cent. During any Long Term Dividend
Period, the amount of cash dividends per share of a series of APS payable (if
declared) on any Dividend Payment Date shall be computed by multiplying the
Applicable Rate for such Dividend Period by a fraction, the numerator of which
will be such number of days in such part of such Dividend Period that such share
was outstanding and for which dividends are payable on such Dividend Payment
Date and the denominator of which will be 360, multiplying the amount so
obtained by $25,000, and rounding the amount so obtained to the nearest cent.
(iii) The Trust may, at its sole option and to the extent permitted by law,
by telephonic and written notice (a "Request for Special Dividend Period") to
the Auction Agent and to each Broker-Dealer, request that the next succeeding
Dividend Period for a series of APS be a number of days (other than seven),
evenly divisible by seven and not fewer than fourteen nor more than 364 in the
case of a Short Term Dividend Period or one whole year or more but not greater
than five years in the case of a Long Term Dividend Period, specified in such
notice, provided that the Trust may not give a Request for Special Dividend
Period for a Dividend Period of greater than 28 days (and any such request shall
be null and void) unless, for any Auction occurring after the initial Auction,
Sufficient Clearing Bids were made in the last occurring Auction and unless full
cumulative dividends, any amounts due with respect to redemptions, and any
Gross-Up Dividends payable prior to such date have been paid in full. Such
Request for Special Dividend
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Period, in the case of a Short Term Dividend Period, shall be given on or prior
to the second Business Day but not more than seven Business Days prior to an
Auction Date for a series of APS and, in the case of a Long Term Dividend
Period, shall be given on or prior to the second Business Day but not more than
28 days prior to an Auction Date for a series of APS. Upon receiving such
Request for Special Dividend Period, the Broker-Dealer(s) shall jointly
determine the Optional Redemption Price of the APS during such Special Dividend
Period and the Specific Redemption Provisions and shall give the Trust and the
Auction Agent written notice (a "Response") of such determination by no later
than the second Business Day prior to such Auction Date. In making such
determination the Broker-Dealer(s) will consider (1) existing short-term and
long-term market rates and indices of such short-term and long-term rates, (2)
existing market supply and demand for short-term and long-term securities, (3)
existing yield curves for short-term and long-term securities comparable to the
APS, (4) industry and financial conditions which may affect the APS, (5) the
investment objective of the Trust, and (6) the Dividend Periods and dividend
rates at which current and potential beneficial holders of the APS would remain
or become beneficial holders. After providing the Request for Special Dividend
Period to the Auction Agent and each Broker-Dealer as set forth above, the Trust
may by no later than the second Business Day prior to such Auction Date give a
notice (a "Notice of Special Dividend Period") to the Auction Agent, the
Securities Depository and each Broker-Dealer which notice will specify (i) the
duration of the Special Dividend Period, (ii) the Optional Redemption Price as
specified in the related Response and (iii) the Specific Redemption Provisions,
if any, as specified in the related Response. The Trust also shall provide a
copy of such Notice of Special Dividend Period to Xxxxx'x. The Trust shall not
give a Notice of Special Dividend Period and, if the Trust has given a Notice of
Special Dividend Period, the Trust is required to give telephonic and written
notice of its revocation (a "Notice of Revocation") to the Auction Agent, each
Broker-Dealer, and the Securities Depository on or prior to the Business Day
prior to the relevant Auction Date if (x) either the 1940 Act APS Asset Coverage
is not satisfied or the Trust shall fail to maintain Xxxxx'x Eligible Assets
with an aggregate Discounted Value at least equal to the APS Basic Maintenance
Amount, on each of the two Valuation Dates immediately preceding the Business
Day prior to the relevant Auction Date on an actual basis and on a pro forma
basis giving effect to the proposed Special Dividend Period (using as a pro
forma dividend rate with respect to such Special Dividend Period the dividend
rate which the Broker-Dealers shall advise the Trust is an approximately equal
rate for securities similar to the APS with an equal dividend period) or (y)
sufficient funds for the payment of dividends payable on the immediately
succeeding Dividend Payment Date have not been irrevocably deposited with the
Auction Agent by the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the
Auction Date immediately preceding such Dividend Payment Date. The Trust also
shall provide a copy of such Notice of Revocation to Xxxxx'x. If the Trust is
prohibited from giving a Notice of Special Dividend Period as a result of any of
the factors enumerated in clause (x) or (y) above or if the Trust gives a Notice
of Revocation with respect to a Notice of Special Dividend Period for any series
of APS, the next succeeding Dividend Period will be a 7-Day Dividend Period. In
addition, in the event Sufficient Clearing Bids are not made in an Auction, or
if an Auction is not held for any reason, such next succeeding Dividend Period
will be a 7-Day Dividend Period and the Trust may not again give a Notice of
Special Dividend Period for the APS (and any such attempted notice shall be null
and void) until Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made in an Auction with
respect to a 7-Day Dividend Period.
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(d) (i) Holders shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in
cash, property or shares on APS, in excess of full cumulative dividends as
herein provided (except for Gross-up Dividends as provided in Section 11.2(e)
hereof). Except for the late charge payable pursuant to Section 11.2(c)(i)
hereof, no interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in
respect of any dividend payment on the shares of APS that may be in arrears.
(ii) For so long as any share of APS is Outstanding, the Trust shall not
declare, pay or set apart for payment any dividend or other distribution (other
than a dividend or distribution paid in shares of, or options, warrants or
rights to subscribe for or purchase, Common Shares or other shares of beneficial
interest, if any, ranking junior to the shares of APS as to dividends or upon
liquidation) in respect of the Common Shares or any other shares of beneficial
interest of the Trust ranking junior to or on a parity with the shares of APS as
to dividends or upon liquidation, or call for redemption, redeem, purchase or
otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of the Common Shares or any other
such junior shares (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of the
Trust ranking junior to the shares of APS as to dividends and upon liquidation)
or any other such Parity Shares (except by conversion into or exchange for stock
of the Trust ranking junior to or on a parity with the shares of APS as to
dividends and upon liquidation), unless (A) immediately after such transaction,
the Trust shall have Xxxxx'x Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value
equal to or greater than the APS Basic Maintenance Amount and the Trust shall
maintain the 1940 Act APS Asset Coverage, (B) full cumulative dividends on
shares of APS due on or prior to the date of the transaction have been declared
and paid or shall have been declared and sufficient funds for the payment
thereof deposited with the Auction Agent, (C) any Gross-up Dividend required to
be paid pursuant to Section 11.2(e) below on or before the date of such
declaration or payment has been paid and (D) the Trust has redeemed the full
number of APS required to be redeemed by any provision for mandatory redemption
contained herein.
(e) Each dividend shall consist of (i) cash at the Applicable Rate, (ii) an
uncertificated right (a "Right") to receive a Gross-up Dividend (as defined
below), and (iii) any additional amounts as set forth in Section 11.2(f) below.
Each Right shall thereafter be independent of the share or shares of APS on
which the dividend was paid. The Trust shall cause to be maintained a record of
each Right received by the respective Holders. A Right may not be transferred
other than by operation of law. If the Trust retroactively allocates any net
capital gains or other income subject to regular federal income taxes to shares
of APS solely by reason of the fact that such allocation is made as a result of
the redemption of all or a portion of the outstanding shares of APS or the
liquidation of the Trust (the amount of such allocation referred to herein as a
"Retroactive Taxable Allocation"), the Trust will, if it has not given advance
notice thereof to the Auction Agent as described in Section 11.2(f) hereof,
within 90 days (and generally within 60 days) after the end of the Trust's
fiscal year for which a Retroactive Taxable Allocation is made, provide notice
thereof to the Auction Agent and to each holder of a Right applicable to such
shares of APS (initially as nominee of The Depository Trust Company) during such
fiscal year at such holder's address as the same appears or last appeared on the
Stock Books of the Trust. The Trust will, within 30 days after such notice is
given to the Auction Agent, pay to the Auction Agent (who will then distribute
to such holders of Rights), out of funds legally available therefor, an amount
equal to the aggregate Gross-up Dividends with respect to all Retroactive
Taxable Allocations made to such holders during the fiscal year in question.
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A "Gross-Up Dividend" means payment to a present or former Holder of shares
of APS of an amount which, giving effect to the Retroactive Taxable Allocation,
if any, made to such Holder with respect to the fiscal year in question, would
cause such Holder's after-tax return (taking into account both the Retroactive
Taxable Allocation and the Gross-up Dividend) to be equal to the after-tax
return such holder would have received if there had been no Retroactive Taxable
Allocation. Such Gross-up Dividend shall be calculated (i) without consideration
being given to the time value of money; (ii) assuming that no holder of shares
of APS is subject to the federal alternative minimum tax with respect to
dividends received from the Trust; and (iii) assuming that each Retroactive
Taxable Allocation would be taxable in the hands of each holder of APS at the
greater of: (x) the maximum marginal regular federal individual income tax rate
applicable to ordinary income or capital gains depending on the taxable
character of the distribution (including any surtax); or (y) the maximum
marginal regular Federal corporate income tax rate applicable to ordinary income
or capital gains depending on the taxable character of the distribution
(disregarding in both (x) and (y) the effect of any state or local taxes and the
phase out of, or provision limiting, personal exemptions, itemized deductions,
or the benefit of lower tax brackets).
(f) Except as provided below, whenever the Trust is aware that it will
include any net capital gains or other income subject to regular Federal income
taxes in any dividend on shares of APS, the Trust will notify the Auction Agent
of the amount to be so included at least five Business Days prior to the Auction
Date on which the Applicable Rate for such dividend is to be established. The
Trust may also include such income in a dividend on shares of a series of APS
without giving advance notice thereof if it increases the dividend by an
additional amount calculated as if such income were the subject of a Retroactive
Taxable Allocation and the additional amount were a Gross-up Dividend, provided
that the Trust will notify the Auction Agent of the additional amounts to be
included in such dividend at least five Business Days prior to the applicable
Dividend Payment Date. The Trust shall not be required to pay Gross-up Dividends
with respect to any net capital gain or other taxable income determined by the
Internal Revenue Service to be allocable in a manner different from that
allocated by the Trust.
(g) No fractional shares of APS shall be issued.
11.3 Liquidation Rights. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Trust, whether voluntary or involuntary, the Holders shall be entitled to
receive, out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to
shareholders, before any distribution or payment is made upon any Common Shares
or any other shares of beneficial interest ranking junior in right of payment
upon liquidation to the APS, the sum of $25,000 per share plus accumulated but
unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) thereon to the date of
distribution, and after such payment the Holders will be entitled to no other
payments other than Gross-up Dividends as provided in Section 11.2(e) hereof. If
upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust, the amounts
payable with respect to the APS and any other Outstanding class or series of
Preferred Shares of the Trust ranking on a parity with the APS as to payment
upon liquidation are not paid in full, the Holders and the holders of such other
class or series will share ratably in any such distribution of assets in
proportion to the respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled.
After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they
are entitled, the Holders will not be entitled to any further participation in
any distribution of assets
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by the Trust except for any Gross-up Dividends. A consolidation, merger or
statutory share exchange of the Trust with or into any other Trust or entity or
a sale, whether for cash, shares of stock, securities or properties, of all or
substantially all or any part of the assets of the Trust shall not be deemed or
construed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Trust.
11.4 Redemption. (a) Shares of APS shall be redeemable by the Trust as
provided below:
(i) To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and Massachusetts law, upon
giving a Notice of Redemption, the Trust at its option may redeem shares of any
series of APS, in whole or in part, out of funds legally available therefor, at
the Optional Redemption Price per share, on any Dividend Payment Date; provided
that no share of APS may be redeemed at the option of the Trust during (A) the
Initial Dividend Period with respect to a series of shares or (B) a Non-Call
Period to which such share is subject. In addition, holders of APS which are
redeemed shall be entitled to receive Gross-Up Dividends to the extent provided
herein.
(ii) The Trust shall redeem, out of funds legally available therefor, at
the Mandatory Redemption Price per share, shares of APS to the extent permitted
under the 1940 Act and Massachusetts law, on a date fixed by the Board of
Trustees, if the Trust fails to maintain Xxxxx'x Eligible Assets with an
aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the APS Basic Maintenance
Amount as provided in Section 11.7(a) or to satisfy the 1940 Act APS Asset
Coverage as provided in Section 6 and such failure is not cured on or before the
APS Basic Maintenance Cure Date or the 1940 Act Cure Date (herein collectively
referred to as a "Cure Date"), as the case may be. In addition, holders of APS
so redeemed shall be entitled to receive Gross-Up Dividends to the extent
provided herein. The number of APS to be redeemed shall be equal to the lesser
of (i) the minimum number of APS the redemption of which, if deemed to have
occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the Cure Date, together
with all shares of other Preferred Shares subject to redemption or retirement,
would result in the Trust having Xxxxx'x Eligible Assets with an aggregate
Discounted Value equal to or greater than the APS Basic Maintenance Amount or
satisfaction of the 1940 Act APS Asset Coverage, as the case may be, on such
Cure Date (provided that, if there is no such minimum number of shares of APS
and shares of other Preferred Shares the redemption of which would have such
result, all shares of APS and shares of other Preferred Shares then Outstanding
shall be redeemed), and (ii) the maximum number of shares of APS, together with
all shares of other Preferred Shares subject to redemption or retirement, that
can be redeemed out of funds expected to be legally available therefor on such
redemption date. In determining the number of APS required to be redeemed in
accordance with the foregoing, the Trust shall allocate the number required to
be redeemed which would result in the Trust having Xxxxx'x Eligible Assets with
an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the APS Basic Maintenance
Amount or satisfaction of the 1940 Act APS Asset Coverage, as the case may be,
pro rata among shares of APS of all series and other Preferred Shares subject to
redemption pursuant to provisions similar to those contained in this Section
11.4(a)(ii); provided that, shares of APS which may not be redeemed at the
option of the Trust due to the designation of a Non-Call Period applicable to
such shares (A) will be subject to mandatory redemption only to the extent that
other shares are not available to satisfy the number of shares required to be
redeemed and (B) will be selected for redemption in an ascending order of
outstanding number of days in the Non-Call Period (with shares with the
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lowest number of days to be redeemed first) and by lot in the event of shares
having an equal number of days in such Non-Call Period. The Trust shall effect
such redemption on a Business Day which is not later than 35 days after such
Cure Date, except that if the Trust does not have funds legally available for
the redemption of all of the required number of APS and other Preferred Shares
which are subject to mandatory redemption or the Trust otherwise is unable to
effect such redemption on or prior to 35 days after such Cure Date, the Trust
shall redeem those APS which it is unable to redeem on the earliest practicable
date on which it is able to effect such redemption out of funds legally
available therefor.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 11.4, no shares of
APS may be redeemed pursuant to Section 11.4(a)(i) of these By-Laws (i) unless
all dividends in arrears on all remaining outstanding shares of Parity Shares
shall have been or are being contemporaneously paid or declared and set apart
for payment and (ii) if redemption thereof would result in the Trust's failure
to maintain Xxxxx'x Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to
or greater than the APS Basic Maintenance Amount. In the event that less than
all the outstanding shares of a series of APS are to be redeemed and there is
more than one Holder, the shares of that series of APS to be redeemed shall be
selected by lot or such other method as the Trust shall deem fair and equitable.
(c) Whenever shares of APS are to be redeemed, the Trust, not less than 17
nor more than 30 days prior to the date fixed for redemption, shall mail a
notice ("Notice of Redemption") by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to each
Holder of APS to be redeemed and to the Auction Agent. The Notice of Redemption
shall set forth (i) the redemption date, (ii) the amount of the redemption
price, (iii) the aggregate number of APS of such series to be redeemed, (iv) the
place or places where APS of such series are to be surrendered for payment of
the redemption price, (v) a statement that dividends on the shares to be
redeemed shall cease to accumulate on such redemption date (except that holders
may be entitled to Gross-up Dividends) and (vi) the provision of these By-Laws
pursuant to which such shares are being redeemed. No defect in the Notice of
Redemption or in the mailing or publication thereof shall affect the validity of
the redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable law.
If the Notice of Redemption shall have been given as aforesaid and,
concurrently or thereafter, the Trust shall have deposited in trust with the
Auction Agent, or segregated in an account at the Trust's custodian bank for the
benefit of the Auction Agent, Deposit Securities (with a right of substitution)
having an aggregate Discounted Value equal to the redemption payment for the APS
as to which such Notice of Redemption has been given with irrevocable
instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to the Holders of such
shares, then upon the date of such deposit or, if no such deposit is made, then
upon such date fixed for redemption (unless the Trust shall default in making
the redemption payment), all rights (including without limitation voting rights)
of the Holders of such shares as shareholders of the Trust by reason of the
ownership of such shares will cease and terminate (except their right to receive
the redemption price in respect thereof and any Gross-up Dividends, but without
interest), and such shares shall no longer be deemed Outstanding. The Trust
shall be entitled to receive, from time to time, from the Auction Agent the
interest, if any, on such Deposit Securities deposited with it and the Holders
of any shares so redeemed shall have no claim to any of such interest. In case
the Holder of any shares so called for redemption shall not claim the redemption
payment for his
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shares within one year after the date of redemption, the Auction Agent shall,
upon demand, pay over to the Trust such amount remaining on deposit and the
Auction Agent shall thereupon be relieved of all responsibility to the Holder of
such shares called for redemption and such Holder thereafter shall look only to
the Trust for the redemption payment.
11.5 Voting Rights. (a) General. Except as otherwise provided in the
Declaration of Trust or Bylaws, each Holder of APS shall be entitled to one vote
for each share held on each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of the
Trust, and the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Shares, including APS,
and of shares of Common Shares shall vote together as a single class; provided
that the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Shares, including APS, shall
be entitled, as a class, to the exclusion of the holders of all other securities
and classes of capital stock of the Trust, to elect two trustees of the Trust.
Subject to Section 11.5(b) hereof, the holders of outstanding shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust, including the holders of outstanding shares of
Preferred Shares, including APS, voting as a single class, shall elect the
balance of the trustees.
(b) Right to Elect Majority of Board of Trustees. During any period in
which any one or more of the conditions described below shall exist (such period
being referred to herein as a "Voting Period"), the number of trustees
constituting the Board of Trustees shall be automatically increased by the
smallest number that, when added to the two trustees elected exclusively by the
holders of shares of Preferred Shares, would constitute a majority of the Board
of Trustees as so increased by such smallest number; and the holders of
Preferred Shares shall be entitled, voting separately as one class (to the
exclusion of the holders of all other securities and classes of shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust), to elect such smallest number of additional
trustees, together with the two trustees that such holders are in any event
entitled to elect.
A Voting Period shall commence:
(i) if at any time accumulated dividends (whether or not earned or
declared, and whether or not funds are then legally available in an amount
sufficient therefor) on the outstanding APS equal to at least two full years'
dividends shall be due and unpaid and sufficient cash or specified securities
shall not have been deposited with the Auction Agent for the payment of such
accumulated dividends; or
(ii) if at any time holders of any Preferred Shares, including the holders
of APS, are entitled to elect a majority of the trustees of the Trust under the
1940 Act.
Upon the termination of a Voting Period, the voting rights described in
this Section 11.5(b) shall cease, subject always, however, to the reverting of
such voting rights in the Holders upon the further occurrence of any of the
events described in Section 11.5(b).
(c) Right to Vote with Respect to Certain Other Matters. So long as any
shares of APS are outstanding, the Trust shall not, without the affirmative vote
of the holders of a majority of the shares of Preferred Shares Outstanding at
the time, voting separately as one class: (i) authorize, create or issue any
class or series of shares of beneficial interest ranking prior to the APS or any
other series of Preferred Shares with respect to payment of dividends or the
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distribution of assets on liquidation; provided, however, that no vote is
required to authorize the issuance of another series of APS or another class of
Preferred Shares that is substantially identical in all respects to the APS, or
(ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Declaration of Trust or
By-Laws, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to adversely
affect any of the contract rights expressly set forth in the Declaration of
Trust or By-Laws of holders of APS or any other Preferred Shares. To the extent
permitted under the 1940 Act, in the event shares of more than one series of APS
are outstanding, the Trust shall not approve any of the actions set forth in
clause (i) or (ii) which adversely affects the contract rights expressly set
forth in the Declaration of Trust or By-Laws of a Holder of a series of APS
differently than those of a Holder of any other series of APS without the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the APS of each series
adversely affected and Outstanding at such time (each such adversely affected
series voting separately as a class). Unless a higher percentage is provided for
under the Declaration of Trust, the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Preferred Shares, including APS, voting
together as a single class, will be required to approve any plan of
reorganization (including bankruptcy proceedings) adversely affecting such
shares or any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of
the 1940 Act. The class vote of holders of Preferred Shares, including APS,
described above will in each case be in addition to a separate vote of the
requisite percentage of Common Shares and Preferred Shares, including APS,
voting together as a single class necessary to authorize the action in question.
(d) Voting Procedures.
(i) As soon as practicable after the accrual of any right of the holders of
shares of Preferred Shares to elect additional trustees as described in Section
11.5(b) above, the Trust shall call a special meeting of such holders and
instruct the Auction Agent to mail a notice of such special meeting to such
holders, such meeting to be held not less than 10 nor more than 20 days after
the date of mailing of such notice. If the Trust fails to send such notice to
the Auction Agent or if the Trust does not call such a special meeting, it may
be called by any such holder on like notice. The record date for determining the
holders entitled to notice of and to vote at such special meeting shall be the
close of business on the fifth Business Day preceding the day on which such
notice is mailed. At any such special meeting and at each meeting held during a
Voting Period, such holders, voting together as a class (to the exclusion of the
holders of all other securities and classes of shares of beneficial interest of
the Trust), shall be entitled to elect the number of directors prescribed in
Section 11.5(b) above. At any such meeting or adjournment thereof in the absence
of a quorum, a majority of such holders present in person or by proxy shall have
the power to adjourn the meeting without notice, other than by an announcement
at the meeting, to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date.
(ii) For purposes of determining any rights of the Holders to vote on any
matter or the number of shares required to constitute a quorum, whether such
right is created by these By-Laws, by the other provisions of the Declaration of
Trust, by statute or otherwise, a share of APS which is not Outstanding shall
not be counted.
(iii) The terms of office of all persons who are trustees of the Trust at
the time of a special meeting of Holders and holders of other Preferred Shares
to elect trustees shall continue,
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notwithstanding the election at such meeting by the Holders and such other
holders of the number of trustees that they are entitled to elect, and the
persons so elected by the Holders and such other holders, together with the two
incumbent trustees elected by the Holders and such other holders of Preferred
Shares and the remaining incumbent trustees elected by the holders of the Common
Shares and Preferred Shares, shall constitute the duly elected trustees of the
Trust.
(iv) Simultaneously with the expiration of a Voting Period, the terms of
office of the additional trustees elected by the Holders and holders of other
Preferred Shares pursuant to Section 11.5(b) above shall terminate, the
remaining trustees shall constitute the trustees of the Trust and the voting
rights of the Holders and such other holders to elect additional trustees
pursuant to Section 11.5(b) above shall cease, subject to the provisions of the
last sentence of Section 11.5(b).
(e) Exclusive Remedy. Unless otherwise required by law, the Holders of APS
shall not have any rights or preferences other than those specifically set forth
herein. The Holders of APS shall have no preemptive rights or rights to
cumulative voting. In the event that the Trust fails to pay any dividends on the
APS, the exclusive remedy of the Holders shall be the right to vote for trustees
pursuant to the provisions of this Section 11.5.
11.6 1940 Act APS Asset Coverage. The Trust shall maintain, as of the last
Business Day of each month in which any APS are outstanding, the 1940 Act APS
Asset Coverage.
11.7 APS Basic Maintenance Amount. (a) The Trust shall maintain, on each
Valuation Date, and shall verify to its satisfaction that it is maintaining on
such Valuation Date Xxxxx'x Eligible Assets having an aggregate Discounted Value
equal to or greater than the APS Basic Maintenance Amount. Upon any failure to
maintain the required Discounted Value, the Trust will use its best efforts to
alter the composition of its portfolio to retain a Discounted Value at least
equal to the APS Basic Maintenance Amount on or prior to the APS Basic
Maintenance Cure Date.
(b) On or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day
after a Valuation Date on which the Trust fails to satisfy the APS Basic
Maintenance Amount, the Trust shall complete and deliver to the Auction Agent
and Moody's a complete APS Basic Maintenance Report as of the date of such
failure, which will be deemed to have been delivered to the Auction Agent if the
Auction Agent receives a copy or telecopy, telex or other electronic
transcription thereof and on the same day the Trust mails to the Auction Agent
for delivery on the next Business Day the complete APS Basic Maintenance Report.
The Trust will deliver an APS Basic Maintenance Report to the Auction Agent and
Moody's, on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day
after a Valuation Date on which the Trust cures its failure to maintain Moody's
Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the
APS Basic Maintenance Amount or on which the Trust fails to maintain Moody's
Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value which exceeds the APS Basic
Maintenance Amount by 5% or more. The Trust will also deliver an APS Basic
Maintenance Report to the Auction Agent and Moody's as of each Quarterly
Valuation Date on or before the third Business Day after such date.
Additionally, on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business
Day after the first day of a Special Dividend Period, the Trust will deliver an
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APS Basic Maintenance Report to Moody's and the Auction Agent. The Trust shall
also provide Moody's with an APS Basic Maintenance Report when specifically
requested by Moody's.
(c) Within ten Business Days after the date of delivery of an APS Basic
Maintenance Report in accordance with Section 11.7(b) above relating to a
Quarterly Valuation Date (except as described in the following sentence), the
Independent Accountant will confirm in writing to the Auction Agent and Moody's,
(i) the mathematical accuracy of the calculations reflected in such Report, (ii)
that, in such Report, the Trust correctly determined the assets of the Trust
which constitute Moody's Eligible Assets at such Quarterly Valuation Date in
accordance with these Bylaws, (iii) that, in such Report, the Trust determined
whether the Trust had, at such Quarterly Valuation Date in accordance with these
Bylaws, Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value at least
equal to the APS Basic Maintenance Amount, (iv) with respect to the S & P or
Fitch ratings on Municipal Obligations, the issuer name, issue size and coupon
rate, if any, listed in such Report, that the Independent Accountant has
verified such information in reference to third-party information sources (such
as Reuters or Bloomberg) and the Independent Accountant shall provide a listing
in its letter of any differences, (v) with respect to the Moody's ratings on
Municipal Obligations, the issuer name, issue size and coupon rate, if any,
listed in such Report, that the Independent Accountant has verified such
information in reference to third-party information sources (such as Reuters or
Bloomberg) and (vi) that the Independent Accountant has compared the prices in
such Report to the prices in the applicable pricing appraisal report provided by
the custodian of the Trust's assets to the Trust for purposes of valuing
securities in the Trust's portfolio and verified that such information agrees
(in the event such information does not agree, the Independent Accountant will
provide a listing in its letter of such differences) (such confirmation is
herein called the "Accountant's Confirmation"). Notwithstanding the foregoing
sentence, the Independent Accountant will provide the confirmation described in
the foregoing sentence with respect to APS Basic Maintenance Reports delivered
pursuant to the third sentence of Section 11.7(b) above only for such APS Basic
Maintenance Reports relating to the last fiscal quarter of each fiscal year.
(d) Within ten Business Days after the date of delivery to the Auction
Agent and Moody's of an APS Basic Maintenance Report in accordance with Section
11.7(b) above relating to the APS Basic Maintenance Cure Date with respect to
such failure, the Trust shall cause the Independent Accountant to provide to the
Auction Agent and Moody's an Accountant's Confirmation as to such APS Basic
Maintenance Report.
(e) If any Accountant's Confirmation delivered pursuant to subparagraph (c)
or (d) of this Section 11.7 shows that an error was made in the APS Basic
Maintenance Report for a particular Valuation Date for which such Accountant's
Confirmation as required to be delivered, or shows that a lower aggregate
Discounted Value for the aggregate of all Moody's Eligible Assets of the Trust
was determined by the Independent Accountant, the calculation or determination
made by such Independent Accountant shall be final and conclusive and shall be
binding on the Trust, and the Trust shall accordingly amend and deliver the APS
Basic Maintenance Report to the Auction Agent and promptly following receipt by
the Trust of such Accountant's Confirmation.
(f) On or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the first Business Day
after the Date of Original Issue of the APS, the Trust will complete and deliver
to Moody's an APS Basic
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Maintenance Report as of the close of business on such Date of Original Issue.
Within five Business Days of such Date of Original Issue, the Independent
Accountant will confirm in writing to Moody's (i) the mathematical accuracy of
the calculations reflected in such Report and (ii) that the aggregate Discounted
Value of Moody's Eligible Assets reflected thereon equals or exceeds the APS
Basic Maintenance Amount reflected thereon. Also, on or before 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the first Business Day after shares of Common Shares are
repurchased by the Trust, the Trust will complete and deliver to Xxxxx'x an APS
Basic Maintenance Report as of the close of business on such date that Common
Shares are repurchased.
11.8 Hedging Transactions. (a) For so long as any APS are rated by Xxxxx'x,
the Trust will not buy or sell financial futures contracts, write, purchase or
sell call options on financial futures contracts or purchase put options on
financial futures contracts or write call options (except covered call options)
on portfolio securities unless it receives written confirmation from Moody's
that engaging in such transactions would not impair the ratings then assigned to
the APS by Moody's, except that the Trust may purchase or sell exchange-traded
financial futures contracts based on the Municipal Index or Treasury Bonds, and
purchase, write or sell exchange-traded put options on such financial futures
contracts, the Municipal Index or Treasury Bonds, and purchase, write or sell
exchange-traded call options on such financial futures contracts, the Municipal
Index or Treasury Bonds (collectively "Moody's Hedging Transactions"), subject
to the following limitations:
(i) the Trust will not engage in any Moody's Hedging Transaction based on the
Municipal Index (other than transactions that terminate a futures contract
or option held by the Trust by the Trust's taking the opposite position
thereto ("Closing Transactions")) that would cause the Trust at the time of
such transaction to own or have sold:
(A) outstanding financial futures contracts based on the Municipal Index
exceeding in number 10% of the average number of daily traded
financial futures contracts based on the Municipal Index in the 30
days preceding the time of effecting such transaction as reported by
The Wall Street Journal; or
(B) outstanding financial futures contracts based on the Municipal Index
having a Market Value exceeding 50% of the Market Value of all
Municipal Obligations constituting Moody's Eligible Assets owned by
the Trust (other than Moody's Eligible Assets already subject to a
Moody's Hedging Transaction);
(ii) the Trust will not engage in any Moody's Hedging Transaction based on
Treasury Bonds (other than Closing Transactions) that would cause the Trust
at the time of such transaction to own or have sold:
(A) outstanding financial futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds with
such contracts having an aggregate Market Value exceeding 20% of the
aggregate Market Value of Moody's Eligible Assets owned by the Trust
and rated Aa by Moody's (or, if not rated by Moody's but rated by S &
P, rated AAA by S & P); or
(B) outstanding financial futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds with
such contracts having an aggregate Market Value exceeding 80% of the
aggregate Market Value of
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all Municipal Obligations constituting Moody's Eligible Assets owned
by the Trust (other than Moody's Eligible Assets already subject to a
Moody's Hedging Transaction) and rated Baa or A by Moody's (or, if not
rated by Moody's but rated by S & P, rated A or AA by S & P).
(For purposes of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Trust shall be
deemed to own the number of financial futures contracts that underlie any
outstanding options written by the Trust);
(iii) the Trust will engage in Closing Transactions to close out any outstanding
financial futures contract based on the Municipal Index if the amount of
open interest in the Municipal Index as reported by The Wall Street Journal
is less than 5,000;
(iv) the Trust will engage in a Closing Transaction to close out any outstanding
financial futures contract by no later than the fifth Business Day of the
month in which such contract expires and will engage in a Closing
Transaction to close out any outstanding option on a financial futures
contract by no later than the first Business Day of the month in which such
option expires;
(v) the Trust will engage in Moody's Hedging Transactions only with respect to
financial futures contracts or options thereon having the next settlement
date or the settlement date immediately thereafter;
(vi) the Trust will not engage in options and futures transactions for
leveraging or speculative purposes and will not write any call options or
sell any financial futures contracts for the purpose of hedging the
anticipated purchase of an asset prior to completion of such purchase; and
(vii) the Trust will not enter into an option or futures transaction unless,
after giving effect thereto, the Trust would continue to have Moody's
Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than
the APS Basic Maintenance Amount.
(b) For purposes of determining whether the Trust has Moody's Eligible
Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the APS Basic
Maintenance Amount, the Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets that the
Trust is obligated to deliver or receive pursuant to an outstanding futures
contract or option shall be as follows:
(i) assets subject to call options written by the Trust that are either
exchange-traded and "readily reversible" or that expire within 49 days
after the date as of which such valuation is made shall be valued at the
lesser of (A) Discounted Value and (B) the exercise price of the call
option written by the Trust;
(ii) assets subject to call options written by the Trust not meeting the
requirements of clause (i) of this sentence shall have no value;
(iii) assets subject to put options written by the Trust shall be valued at the
lesser of (A) the exercise price and (B) the Discounted Value of the assets
subject to the option;
(iv) futures contracts shall be valued at the lesser of (A) settlement price and
(B) the Discounted Value of the assets subject to the futures contract,
provided that, if a contract matures within 49 days after the date as of
which such valuation is made, where the Trust
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is the seller the contract may be valued at the settlement price and where
the Trust is the buyer the contract may be valued at the Discounted Value
of the assets subject to the futures contract; and
(v) where delivery may be made to the Trust with any security of a class of
securities, the Trust shall assume that it will take delivery of the
security with the lowest Discounted Value.
(c) For purposes of determining whether the Trust has Moody's Eligible
Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the APS Basic
Maintenance Amount, the following amounts shall be subtracted from the aggregate
Discounted Value of the Moody's Eligible Assets held by the Trust to the extent
the relevant asset is a Moody's Eligible Asset:
(i) 10% of the exercise price of a written call option;
(ii) the exercise price of any written put option;
(iii) where the Trust is the seller under a financial futures contract, 10% of
the settlement price of the financial futures contract;
(iv) where the Trust is the purchaser under a financial futures contract, any
amounts payable by the Trust under such financial futures contract;
(v) the settlement price of the underlying financial futures contract if the
Trust writes put options on a financial futures contract; and
(vi) 105% of the Market Value of the underlying financial futures contracts if
the Trust writes call options on a financial futures contract and does not
own the underlying contract.
(d) For so long as any APS are rated by Moody's, the Trust will not enter
into any "Forward Commitment," herein defined as any contract to purchase
securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time
(other than such contracts that constitute Moody's Hedging Transactions), except
that the Trust may enter into Forward Commitments subject to the following
limitations:
(i) for each Forward Commitment, the Trust will maintain with its custodian (A)
cash, cash equivalents or short-term, fixed-income securities rated X-0,
XXX-0 xx XXXX-0 by Moody's or A-1 by S & P and maturing in one year or less
with a fair market value that equals or exceeds the amount by which the
Trust's obligations under any Forward Commitments to which it is from time
to time a party exceed obligations to the Trust arising from securities
sales by the Trust that are scheduled to settle at a future date, or (B)
long-term, fixed-income securities with a then current market value that
equals or exceeds the amount by which the Trust's obligations under any
Forward Commitments to which it is from time to time a party exceed
obligations to the Trust arising from securities sales by the Trust that
are scheduled to settle on a future date, or (C) a combination of assets
described in (A) and (B) above that in the aggregate equals or exceeds the
amount by which the Trust's obligations under any Forward Commitments to
which it is from time to time a party exceed obligations to the Trust
arising from securities sales by the Trust that are scheduled to settle on
a future date; and
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(ii) the Trust will not enter into a Forward Commitment unless, after giving
effect thereto, the Trust would continue to have Moody's Eligible Assets
with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the APS Basic
Maintenance Amount.
For purposes of determining whether the Trust has Moody's Eligible Assets with
an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the APS Basic Maintenance
Amount, the Discounted Value of all Forward Commitments to which the Trust is a
party and of all securities deliverable to the Trust pursuant to such Forward
Commitments shall be zero.
(e) For so long as APS are rated by Moody's, the Trust, unless it has
received written confirmation from Moody's that such action would not impair the
ratings then assigned to the APS by Moody's, will not:
(i) borrow money except for the purpose of clearing transactions in portfolio
securities (which borrowings under any circumstances shall be limited to an
amount equal to 5% of the Market Value of the Trust's assets at the time of
such borrowings and which borrowings shall be repaid within 60 days and not
be extended or renewed and shall not cause the aggregate Discounted Value
of Moody's Eligible Assets to be less than the APS Basic Maintenance
Amount);
(ii) engage in short sales of securities;
(iii) lend any securities;
(iv) issue any class or series of stock ranking prior to or on a parity with the
APS with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets
upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Trust;
(v) merge or consolidate into or with any other corporation or entity; and
(vi) change the Trust's Pricing Service.
11.9 Notice. All notices or communications, unless otherwise specified in
these By-Laws, shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person
or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid. Notice shall be deemed given on
the earlier of the date received or the date seven days after which such notice
is mailed.
11.10 Auction Procedures. (a) Certain definitions. As used in this Section
11.10, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context
otherwise requires:
(i) "APS" means the shares of APS being auctioned pursuant to this Section
11.10.
(ii) "Auction Date" means the first Business Day preceding the first day of
a Dividend Period.
(iii) "Available APS" has the meaning specified in Section 11.10(d)(i)
below.
(iv) "Bid" has the meaning specified in Section 11.10(b)(i) below.
(v) "Bidder" has the meaning specified in Section 11.10(b)(i) below.
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(vi) "Hold Order" has the meaning specified in Section 11.10(b)(i) below.
(vii) "Maximum Applicable Rate" for any Dividend Period will be the
Applicable Percentage of the Reference Rate. The Auction Agent will round each
applicable Maximum Applicable Rate to the nearest one-thousandth (0.001) of one
percent per annum, with any such number ending in five ten-thousandths of one
percent being rounded upwards to the nearest one-thousandth (0.001) of one
percent. The Auction Agent will not round the applicable Reference Rate as part
of its calculation of the Maximum Applicable Rate. The Applicable Percentage
will be determined based on (i) the credit rating assigned on such date to such
shares by Moody's (or, if Moody's shall not make such rating available, the
equivalent of such rating by a Substitute Rating Agency) and (ii) whether the
Trust has provided notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction
establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend that net capital gains or
other taxable income will be included in such dividend on shares of APS as
follows:
Percentage of Percentage of
Reference Rate - Reference Rate -
Moody's Credit Ratings on APS No Notification Notification
----------------------------- ---------------- ----------------
aa3 or higher 110% 150%
a 125% 160%
baa 150% 250%
Below baa 200% 275%
The Trust shall take all reasonable action necessary to enable Moody's to
provide a rating for each series of APS. If Moody's shall not make such a rating
available, UBS Warburg LLC or its affiliates and successors, after consultation
with the Trust, shall select another Rating Agency to act as a Substitute Rating
Agency.
(viii) "Order" has the meaning specified in Section 11.10(b)(i) below.
(ix) "Sell Order" has the meaning specified in Section 11.10(b)(i) below.
(x) "Submission Deadline" means 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on any
Auction Date or such other time on any Auction Date as may be specified by the
Auction Agent from time to time as the time by which each Broker-Dealer must
submit to the Auction Agent in writing all Orders obtained by it for the Auction
to be conducted on such Auction Date.
(xi) "Submitted Bid" has the meaning specified in Section 11.10(d)(i)
below.
(xii) "Submitted Hold Order" has the meaning specified in Section
11.10(d)(i) below.
(xiii) "Submitted Order" has the meaning specified in Section 11.10(d)(i)
below.
(xiv) "Submitted Sell Order" has the meaning specified in Section
11.10(d)(i) below.
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(xv) "Sufficient Clearing Bids" has the meaning specified in Section
11.10(d)(i) below.
(xvi) "Winning Bid Rate" has the meaning specified in Section 11.10(d)(i)
below.
(b) Orders by Beneficial Owners, Potential Beneficial Owners, Existing
Holders and Potential Holders.
(i) Unless otherwise permitted by the Trust, Beneficial Owners and
Potential Beneficial Owners may only participate in Auctions through their
Broker-Dealers. Broker-Dealers will submit the Orders of their respective
customers who are Beneficial Owners and Potential Beneficial Owners to the
Auction Agent, designating themselves as Existing Holders in respect of shares
subject to Orders submitted or deemed submitted to them by Beneficial Owners and
as Potential Holders in respect of shares subject to Orders submitted to them by
Potential Beneficial Owners. A Broker-Dealer may also hold shares of APS in its
own account as a Beneficial Owner. A Broker-Dealer may thus submit Orders to the
Auction Agent as a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner and
therefore participate in an Auction as an Existing Holder or Potential Holder on
behalf of both itself and its customers. On or prior to the Submission Deadline
on each Auction Date:
A. each Beneficial Owner may submit to its Broker-Dealer information as to:
(1) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of APS held by such
Beneficial Owner which such Beneficial Owner desires to continue to hold without
regard to the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period for such
shares;
(2) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of APS held by such
Beneficial Owner which such Beneficial Owner desires to continue to hold,
provided that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period for
such shares shall not be less than the rate per annum specified by such
Beneficial Owner; and/or
(3) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of APS held by such
Beneficial Owner which such Beneficial Owner offers to sell without regard to
the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period; and
(B) each Broker-Dealer, using a list of Potential Beneficial Owners that
shall be maintained in good faith for the purpose of conducting a competitive
Auction, shall contact Potential Beneficial Owners, including Persons that are
not Beneficial Owners, on such list to determine the number of Outstanding
shares, if any, of APS which each such Potential Beneficial Owner offers to
purchase, provided that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend
Period shall not be less than the rate per annum specified by such Potential
Beneficial Owner.
For the purposes hereof, the communication by a Beneficial Owner or
Potential Beneficial Owner to a Broker-Dealer, or the communication by a
Broker-Dealer acting for its own account to the Auction Agent, of information
referred to in clause (A) or (B) of this Section 11.10(b)(i) is hereinafter
referred to as an "Order" and each Beneficial Owner and each Potential
Beneficial Owner placing an Order, including a Broker-Dealer acting in such
capacity for its own account, is hereinafter referred to as a "Bidder"; an Order
containing the information
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referred to in clause (A)(1) of this Section 11.10(b)(i) is hereinafter referred
to as a "Hold Order"; an Order containing the information referred to in clause
(A)(2) or (B) of this Section 11.10(b)(i) is hereinafter referred to as a "Bid";
and an Order containing the information referred to in clause (A)(3) of this
Section 11.10(b)(i) is hereinafter referred to as a "Sell Order". Inasmuch as a
Broker-Dealer participates in an Auction as an Existing Holder or a Potential
Holder only to represent the interests of a Beneficial Owner or Potential
Beneficial Owner, whether it be its customers or itself, all discussion herein
relating to the consequences of an Auction for Existing Holders and Potential
Holders also applies to the underlying beneficial ownership interests
represented.
(ii) (A) A Bid by an Existing Holder shall constitute an irrevocable offer
to sell:
(1) the number of Outstanding shares of APS specified in such Bid if the
Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be less than the rate per
annum specified in such Bid; or
(2) such number or a lesser number of Outstanding shares of APS to be
determined as set forth in Section 11.10(e)(i)(D) if the Applicable Rate
determined on such Auction Date shall be equal to the rate per annum specified
therein; or
(3) a lesser number of Outstanding shares of APS to be determined as set
forth in Section 11.10(e)(ii)(C) if such specified rate per annum shall be
higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate and Sufficient Clearing Bids do not
exist.
(B) A Sell Order by an Existing Holder shall constitute an irrevocable
offer to sell:
(1) the number of Outstanding shares of APS specified in such Sell Order;
or
(2) such number or a lesser number of Outstanding shares of APS to be
determined as set forth in Section 11.10(e)(ii)(C) if Sufficient Clearing Bids
do not exist.
(C) A Bid by a Potential Holder shall constitute an irrevocable offer to
purchase:
(1) the number of Outstanding shares of APS specified in such Bid if the
Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be higher than the rate
per annum specified in such Bid; or
(2) such number or a lesser number of Outstanding shares of APS to be
determined as set forth in Section 11.10(e)(i)(E) if the Applicable Rate
determined on such Auction Date shall be equal to the rate per annum specified
therein.
(c) Submission of Orders by Broker-Dealers to Auction Agent.
(i) Each Broker-Dealer shall submit in writing or through the Auction
Agent's Auction Processing System to the Auction Agent prior to the Submission
Deadline on each Auction Date all Orders obtained by such Broker-Dealer,
designating itself (unless otherwise permitted by the Trust) as an Existing
Holder in respect of shares subject to Orders submitted or deemed
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submitted to it by Beneficial Owners and as a Potential Holder in respect of
shares subject to Orders submitted to it by Potential Beneficial Owners, and
specifying with respect to each Order:
(A) the name of the Bidder placing such Order (which shall be the
Broker-Dealer unless otherwise permitted by the Trust);
(B) the aggregate number of Outstanding shares of APS that are the subject
of such Order;
(C) to the extent that such Bidder is an Existing Holder:
(1) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of APS subject to any Hold
Order placed by such Existing Holder;
(2) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of APS subject to any Bid
placed by such Existing Holder and the rate per annum specified in such Bid; and
(3) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of APS subject to any Sell
Order placed by such Existing Holder; and
(D) to the extent such Bidder is a Potential Holder, the rate per annum
specified in such Potential Holder's Bid.
(ii) If any rate per annum specified in any Bid contains more than three
figures to the right of the decimal point, the Auction Agent shall round such
rate up to the next highest one-thousandth (.001) of 1%.
(iii) If an Order or Orders covering all of the Outstanding shares of APS
held by an Existing Holder are not submitted to the Auction Agent prior to the
Submission Deadline, the Auction Agent shall deem a Hold Order (in the case of
an Auction relating to a Special Dividend Period of 91 days or less) or a Sell
Order (in the case of an Auction relating to a Special Dividend Period of longer
than 91 days) to have been submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder covering
the number of Outstanding shares of APS held by such Existing Holder and not
subject to Orders submitted to the Auction Agent.
(iv) If one or more Orders on behalf of an Existing Holder covering in the
aggregate more than the number of Outstanding shares of APS held by such
Existing Holder are submitted to the Auction Agent, such Order shall be
considered valid as follows and in the following order of priority:
(A) any Hold Order submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder shall be
considered valid up to and including the number of Outstanding shares of APS
held by such Existing Holder; provided that if more than one Hold Order is
submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder and the number of shares of APS
subject to such Hold Orders exceeds the number of Outstanding shares of APS held
by such Existing Holder, the number of shares of APS subject to each of such
Hold Orders shall be reduced pro rata so that such Hold Orders, in the
aggregate, will cover exactly the number of Outstanding shares of APS held by
such Existing Holder;
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(B) any Bids submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder shall be
considered valid, in the ascending order of their respective rates per annum if
more than one Bid is submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder, up to and
including the excess of the number of Outstanding shares of APS held by such
Existing Holder over the number of shares of APS subject to any Hold Order
referred to in Section 11.10(c)(iv)(A) above (and if more than one Bid submitted
on behalf of such Existing Holder specifies the same rate per annum and together
they cover more than the remaining number of shares that can be the subject of
valid Bids after application of Section 11.10(c)(iv)(A) above and of the
foregoing portion of this Section 11.10(c)(iv)(B) to any Bid or Bids specifying
a lower rate or rates per annum, the number of shares subject to each of such
Bids shall be reduced pro rata so that such Bids, in the aggregate, cover
exactly such remaining number of shares); and the number of shares, if any,
subject to Bids not valid under this Section 11.10(c)(iv)(B) shall be treated as
the subject of a Bid by a Potential Holder; and
(C) any Sell Order shall be considered valid up to and including the excess
of the number of Outstanding shares of APS held by such Existing Holder over the
number of shares of APS subject to Hold Orders referred to in Section
11.10(c)(iv)(A) and Bids referred to in Section 11.10(c)(iv)(B); provided that
if more than one Sell Order is submitted on behalf of any Existing Holder and
the number of shares of APS subject to such Sell Orders is greater than such
excess, the number of shares of APS subject to each of such Sell Orders shall be
reduced pro rata so that such Sell Orders, in the aggregate, cover exactly the
number of shares of APS equal to such excess.
(v) If more than one Bid is submitted on behalf of any Potential Holder,
each Bid submitted shall be a separate Bid with the rate per annum and number of
shares of APS therein specified.
(vi) Any Order submitted by a Beneficial Owner as a Potential Beneficial
Owner to its Broker-Dealer, or by a Broker-Dealer to the Auction Agent, prior to
the Submission Deadline on any Auction Date shall be irrevocable.
(vii) The Trust shall not be responsible for a Broker-Dealer's failure to
act in accordance with the instructions of Beneficial Owners or Potential
Beneficial Owners or failure to comply with the provisions of this Section
11.10.
(d) Determination of Sufficient Clearing Bids, Winning Bid Rate and
Applicable Rate.
(i) Not earlier than the Submission Deadline on each Auction Date, the
Auction Agent shall assemble all Orders submitted or deemed submitted to it by
the Broker-Dealers (each such Order as submitted or deemed submitted by a
Broker-Dealer being hereinafter referred to individually as a "Submitted Hold
Order", a "Submitted Bid" or a "Submitted Sell Order", as the case may be, or as
a "Submitted Order") and shall determine:
(A) the excess of the total number of Outstanding shares of APS over the
number of Outstanding shares of APS that are the subject of Submitted Hold
Orders (such excess being hereinafter referred to as the "Available APS");
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(B) from the Submitted Orders whether the number of Outstanding shares of
APS that are the subject of Submitted Bids by Potential Holders specifying one
or more rates per annum equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate
exceeds or is equal to the sum of:
(1) the number of Outstanding shares of APS that are the subject of
Submitted Bids by Existing Holders specifying one or more rates per annum higher
than the Maximum Applicable Rate, and
(2) the number of Outstanding shares of APS that are subject to Submitted
Sell Orders (if such excess or such equality exists (other than because the
number of Outstanding shares of APS in clause (1) above and this clause (2) are
each zero because all of the Outstanding shares of APS are the subject of
Submitted Hold Orders), such Submitted Bids by Potential Holders being
hereinafter referred to collectively as "Sufficient Clearing Bids"); and
(C) if Sufficient Clearing Bids exist, the lowest rate per annum specified
in the Submitted Bids (the "Winning Bid Rate") that if:
(1) each Submitted Bid from Existing Holders specifying the Winning Bid
Rate and all other Submitted Bids from Existing Holders specifying lower rates
per annum were rejected, thus entitling such Existing Holders to continue to
hold the shares of APS that are the subject of such Submitted Bids, and
(2) each Submitted Bid from Potential Holders specifying the Winning Bid
Rate and all other Submitted Bids from Potential Holders specifying lower rates
per annum were accepted, thus entitling the Potential Holders to purchase the
shares of APS that are the subject of such Submitted Bids, would result in the
number of shares subject to all Submitted Bids specifying the Winning Bid Rate
or a lower rate per annum being at least equal to the Available APS.
(ii) Promptly after the Auction Agent has made the determinations pursuant
to Section 11.10(d)(i), the Auction Agent shall advise the Trust of the Maximum
Applicable Rate and, based on such determinations, the Applicable Rate for the
next succeeding Dividend Period as follows:
(A) if Sufficient Clearing Bids exist, that the Applicable Rate for the
next succeeding Dividend Period shall be equal to the Winning Bid Rate;
(B) if Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist (other than because all of the
Outstanding shares of APS are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders), that the
Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall be equal to the
Maximum Applicable Rate; or
(C) if all of the Outstanding shares of APS are the subject of Submitted
Hold Orders, that the Dividend Period next succeeding the Auction shall
automatically be the same length as the immediately preceding Dividend Period
and the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall be equal
to 40% of the Reference Rate (or 60% of such rate if the Trust has provided
notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction establishing the
Applicable Rate for any dividend pursuant to Section 11.2(f) hereof that net
capital gains or other taxable income will be included in such dividend on
shares of APS) on the date of the Auction.
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(e) Acceptance and Rejection of Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders
and Allocation of Shares. Based on the determinations made pursuant to Section
11.10(d)(i), the Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders shall be accepted or
rejected and the Auction Agent shall take such other action as set forth below:
(i) If Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made, subject to the provisions
of Section 11.10(e)(iii) and Section 11.10(e)(iv), Submitted Bids and Submitted
Sell Orders shall be accepted or rejected in the following order of priority and
all other Submitted Bids shall be rejected:
(A) the Submitted Sell Orders of Existing Holders shall be accepted and the
Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holders specifying any rate per annum that
is higher than the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted, thus requiring each such
Existing Holder to sell the Outstanding shares of APS that are the subject of
such Submitted Sell Order or Submitted Bid;
(B) the Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holders specifying any rate
per annum that is lower than the Winning Bid Rate shall be rejected, thus
entitling each such Existing Holder to continue to hold the Outstanding shares
of APS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid;
(C) the Submitted Bid of each of the Potential Holders specifying any rate
per annum that is lower than the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted;
(D) the Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holders specifying a rate per
annum that is equal to the Winning Bid Rate shall be rejected, thus entitling
each such Existing Holder to continue to hold the Outstanding shares of APS that
are the subject of such Submitted Bid, unless the number of Outstanding shares
of APS subject to all such Submitted Bids shall be greater than the number of
Outstanding shares of APS ("Remaining Shares") equal to the excess of the
Available APS over the number of Outstanding shares of APS subject to Submitted
Bids described in Section 11.10(e)(i)(B) and Section 11.10(e)(i)(C), in which
event the Submitted Bids of each such Existing Holder shall be accepted, and
each such Existing Holder shall be required to sell Outstanding shares of APS,
but only in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the number of
Outstanding shares of APS then held by such Existing Holder subject to such
Submitted Bid and (2) the number of shares of APS obtained by multiplying (x)
the number of Remaining Shares by (y) a fraction the numerator of which shall be
the number of Outstanding shares of APS held by such Existing Holder subject to
such Submitted Bid and the denominator of which shall be the sum of the number
of Outstanding shares of APS subject to such Submitted Bids made by all such
Existing Holders that specified a rate per annum equal to the Winning Bid Rate;
and
(E) the Submitted Bid of each of the Potential Holders specifying a rate
per annum that is equal to the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted but only in an
amount equal to the number of Outstanding shares of APS obtained by multiplying
(x) the difference between the Available APS and the number of Outstanding
shares of APS subject to Submitted Bids described in Section 11.10(e)(i)(B),
Section 11.10(e)(i)(C) and Section 11.10(e)(i)(D) by (y) a fraction the
numerator of which shall be the number of Outstanding shares of APS subject to
such Submitted Bid and the denominator of which shall be the sum of the number
of Outstanding shares of APS
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subject to such Submitted Bids made by all such Potential Holders that specified
rates per annum equal to the Winning Bid Rate.
(ii) If Sufficient Clearing Bids have not been made (other than because all
of the Outstanding shares of APS are subject to Submitted Hold Orders), subject
to the provisions of Section 11.10(e)(iii), Submitted Orders shall be accepted
or rejected as follows in the following order of priority and all other
Submitted Bids shall be rejected:
(A) the Submitted Bid of each Existing Holder specifying any rate per annum
that is equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be rejected,
thus entitling such Existing Holder to continue to hold the Outstanding shares
of APS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid;
(B) the Submitted Bid of each Potential Holder specifying any rate per
annum that is equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be
accepted, thus requiring such Potential Holder to purchase the Outstanding
shares of APS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid; and
(C) the Submitted Bids of each Existing Holder specifying any rate per
annum that is higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be accepted and the
Submitted Sell Orders of each Existing Holder shall be accepted, in both cases
only in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the number of Outstanding
shares of APS then held by such Existing Holder subject to such Submitted Bid or
Submitted Sell Order and (2) the number of shares of APS obtained by multiplying
(x) the difference between the Available APS and the aggregate number of
Outstanding shares of APS subject to Submitted Bids described in Section
11.10(e)(ii)(A) and Section 11.10(e)(ii)(B) by (y) a fraction the numerator of
which shall be the number of Outstanding shares of APS held by such Existing
Holder subject to such Submitted Bid or Submitted Sell Order and the denominator
of which shall be the number of Outstanding shares of APS subject to all such
Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders.
(iii) If, as a result of the procedures described in Section 11.10(e), any
Existing Holder would be entitled or required to sell, or any Potential Holder
would be entitled or required to purchase, a fraction of a share of APS on any
Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall, in such manner as in its sole discretion
it shall determine, round up or down the number of shares of APS to be purchased
or sold by any Existing Holder or Potential Holder on such Auction Date so that
each Outstanding share of APS purchased or sold by each Existing Holder or
Potential Holder on such Auction Date shall be a whole share of APS.
(iv) If, as a result of the procedures described in Section 11.10(e), any
Potential Holder would be entitled or required to purchase less than a whole
share of APS on any Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall, in such manner as in
its sole discretion it shall determine, allocate shares of APS for purchase
among Potential Holders so that only whole shares of APS are purchased on such
Auction Date by any Potential Holder, even if such allocation results in one or
more of such Potential Holders not purchasing any shares of APS on such Auction
Date.
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(v) Based on the results of each Auction, the Auction Agent shall
determine, with respect to each Broker-Dealer that submitted Bids or Sell Orders
on behalf of Existing Holders or Potential Holders, the aggregate number of
Outstanding shares of APS to be purchased and the aggregate number of the
Outstanding shares of APS to be sold by such Potential Holders and Existing
Holders and, to the extent that such aggregate number of Outstanding shares to
be purchased and such aggregate number of Outstanding shares to be sold differ,
the Auction Agent shall determine to which other Broker-Dealer or Broker-Dealers
acting for one or more purchasers such Broker-Dealer shall deliver, or from
which other Broker-Dealer or Broker-Dealers acting for one or more sellers such
Broker-Dealer shall receive, as the case may be, Outstanding shares of APS.
(f) Miscellaneous.
(i) The Trust may interpret the provisions of this Section 11.10 to resolve
any inconsistency or ambiguity, remedy any formal defect or make any other
change or modification that does not substantially adversely affect the rights
of Beneficial Owners of APS.
(ii) A Beneficial Owner or an Existing Holder (A) may sell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of shares of APS only pursuant to a Bid or Sell Order in
accordance with the procedures described in this Section 11.10 or to or through
a Broker-Dealer or to such other persons as may be permitted by the Fund,
provided that in the case of all transfers other than pursuant to Auctions such
Beneficial Owner or Existing Holder, its Broker-Dealer, if applicable, or its
Agent Member advises the Auction Agent of such transfer and (B) except as
otherwise required by law, shall have the ownership of the shares of APS held by
it maintained in book entry form by the Securities Depository in the account of
its Agent Member, which in turn will maintain records of such Beneficial Owner's
beneficial ownership. The Trust may not submit an Order in any Auction.
(iii) All of the Outstanding shares of APS of a series shall be registered
in the name of the nominee of the Securities Depository unless otherwise
required by law or unless there is no Securities Depository. If there is no
Securities Depository, at the Trust's option and upon its receipt of such
documents as it deems appropriate, any shares of APS may be registered in the
Stock Register in the name of the Beneficial Owner thereof and such Beneficial
Owner thereupon will be entitled to receive certificates therefor and required
to deliver certificates therefor upon transfer or exchange thereof.
11.11 Securities Depository; Stock Certificates. (a) If there is a
Securities Depository, all of the shares of APS of each series shall be issued
to the Securities Depository and registered in the name of the Securities
Depository or its nominee. Certificates may be issued as necessary to represent
shares of APS. All such certificates shall bear a legend to the effect that such
certificates are issued subject to the provisions restricting the transfer of
shares of APS contained in these By-Laws. Unless the Trust shall have elected,
during a Non-Payment Period, to waive this requirement, the Trust will also
issue stop-transfer instructions to the Auction Agent for the shares of APS.
Except as provided in paragraph (b) below, the Securities Depository or its
nominee will be the Holder, and no Beneficial Owner shall receive certificates
representing its ownership interest in such shares.
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(b) If the Applicable Rate applicable to all shares of APS of a series
shall be the Non-Payment Period Rate or there is no Securities Depository, the
Trust may at its option issue one or more new certificates with respect to such
shares (without the legend referred to in Section 11.11(a)) registered in the
names of the Beneficial Owners or their nominees and rescind the stop-transfer
instructions referred to in Section 11.11(a) with respect to such shares.
ARTICLE 12
Amendment to the Bylaws
12.1 General. Except to the extent that the Declaration of Trust or
applicable law require a vote or consent of Shareholders, these Bylaws may be
amended, changed, altered or repealed, in whole or part, only by resolution of a
majority of the Trustees then in office at any meeting of the Trustees, or by
one or more writings signed by such Trustees.
12.2 Article 11. Without limiting the provisions of Section 12.1, the Board
of Trustees may, by resolution duly adopted, without shareholder approval
(except as otherwise required by Article 11 or required by applicable law),
amend Article 11 to (a) reflect any amendments hereto which the Board of
Trustees is entitled to adopt pursuant to the terms of Article 11 without
shareholder approval or (b) add additional series of APS or additional shares of
a series of APS (and terms relating thereto) to the series and shares of APS
described herein. Each such additional series and all such additional APS shall
be governed by the terms of Article 11.
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