EX-99.B6AIII
DELAWARE GROUP STATE TAX-FREE INCOME TRUST
TAX-FREE OHIO FUND
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Distribution Agreement (the "Agreement") made as of this 2nd day of
September, 1997 by and between DELAWARE GROUP STATE TAX-FREE INCOME TRUST (the
"Fund"), a Pennsylvania Business Trust for its TAX-FREE OHIO FUND series (the
"Series"), and DELAWARE DISTRIBUTORS, L.P. (the "Distributor"), a Delaware
limited partnership.
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Fund is an investment company regulated by
Federal and State regulatory bodies, and
WHEREAS, the Distributor is engaged in the business of
promoting the distribution of the securities of investment companies and, in
connection therewith and acting solely as agent for such investment companies
and not as principal, advertising, promoting, offering and selling their
securities to the public, and
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to enter into an agreement with
the Distributor on behalf of the Series, pursuant to which the Distributor
shall serve as the national distributor of the Series' Tax-Free Ohio Fund A
Class ("Class A Shares"), Tax-Free Ohio Fund B Class (the "Class B Shares")
and Tax-Free Ohio Fund C Class (the "Class C Shares"), which Series and
classes may do business under these or such other names as the Board of
Trustees may designate from time to time, on the terms and conditions set
forth below,
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally
bound hereby, agree as follows:
1. The Fund hereby engages the Distributor to promote the distribution of
the Series' shares and, in connection therewith and as agent for the
Fund and not as principal, to advertise, promote, offer and sell the
Series' shares to the public.
2. (a) The Distributor agrees to serve as distributor of the Series'
shares and, as agent for the Fund and not as principal, to
advertise, promote and use its best efforts to sell the
Series' shares wherever their sale is legal, either through
dealers or otherwise, in such places and in such manner, not
inconsistent with the law and the provisions of this Agreement
and the Fund's Registration Statement under the Securities Act
of 1933, including the Prospectus contained therein, and the
Statement of Additional Information contained therein as may
be mutually determined by the Fund and the Distributor from
time to time.
(b) For its services as agent for the Class A Shares, Class B
Shares and Class C Shares, the Distributor shall be entitled
to compensation on each sale or redemption, as appropriate, of
shares of such classes equal to any front-end or deferred
sales charge described in the Prospectus from time to time and
may allow concessions to dealers in such amounts and on such
terms as are therein set forth.
(c) For the Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares,
the Fund shall, in addition, compensate the Distributor for
its services as provided in the Distribution Plan as adopted
on behalf of the Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C
Shares, respectively, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Plans"), copies of
which as presently in force are attached hereto as,
respectively, Exhibit "X," "X" and "C."
3. (a) The Fund agrees to make available for sale by the Fund through
the Distributor all or such part of the authorized but
unissued shares of beneficial interest of the Series as the
Distributor shall require from time to time, and except as
provided in Paragraph 3(b) hereof, the Fund will not sell
Series' shares other than through the efforts of the
Distributor.
(b) The Fund reserves the right from time to time (1) to sell
and issue shares other than for cash; (2) to issue shares in
exchange for substantially all of the assets of any
corporation or trust, or in exchange of shares of any
corporation or trust; (3) to pay stock dividends to its
shareholders, or to pay dividends in cash or shares of
beneficial interest at the option of its shareholders, or to
sell shares of beneficial
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interest to existing shareholders to the extent of dividends
payable from time to time in cash, or to split up or combine
its outstanding shares; (4) to offer shares for cash to its
shareholders as a whole, by the use of transferable rights
or otherwise, and to sell and issue shares pursuant to such
offers; and (5) to act as its own distributor in any
jurisdiction in which the Distributor is not registered as a
broker-dealer.
4. The Fund warrants the following:
(a) The Fund is, or will be, a properly registered investment
company, and any and all Series' shares which it will sell
through the Distributor are, or will be, properly registered
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
(b) The provisions of this Agreement do not violate the terms of
any instrument by which the Fund is bound, nor do they
violate any law or regulation of any body having
jurisdiction over the Fund or its property.
5. (a) The Fund will supply to the Distributor a conformed copy of
the Registration Statement, all amendments thereto, all
exhibits, and each Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information.
(b) The Fund will register or qualify the Series' shares for
sale in such states as is deemed desirable.
(c) The Fund, without expense to the Distributor,
(1) will give and continue to give such financial
statements and other information as may be required
by the SEC or the proper public bodies of the
states in which the Series' shares may be
qualified;
(2) from time to time, will furnish to the Distributor
as soon as reasonably practicable true copies of
its periodic reports to shareholders;
(3) will promptly advise the Distributor in person or
by telephone or telegraph, and promptly confirm
such advice in writing, (a) when any amendment or
supplement to the Registration Statement becomes
effective, (b) of any request by the SEC for
amendments or supplements to the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus or for additional
information, and (c) of the issuance by the SEC of
any Stop Order suspending the
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effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or the
initiation of any proceedings for that purpose;
(4) if at any time the SEC shall issue any Stop Order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement, will make every reasonable effort to
obtain the lifting of such order at the earliest
possible moment;
(5) will from time to time, use its best effort to keep
a sufficient supply of Series' shares authorized,
any increases being subject to the approval of
shareholders as may be required;
(6) before filing any further amendment to the
Registration Statement or to any Prospectus, will
furnish to the Distributor copies of the proposed
amendment and will not, at any time, whether before
or after the effective date of the Registration
Statement, file any amendment to the Registration
Statement or supplement to any Prospectus of which
the Distributor shall not previously have been
advised or to which the Distributor shall
reasonably object (based upon the accuracy or
completeness thereof) in writing;
(7) will continue to make available to its shareholders
(and forward copies to the Distributor) of such
periodic, interim and any other reports as are now,
or as hereafter may be, required by the provisions
of the Investment Company Act of 1940; and
(8) will, for the purpose of computing the offering
price of Series' shares, advise the Distributor
within one hour after the close of the New York
Stock Exchange (or as soon as practicable
thereafter) on each business day upon which the New
York Stock Exchange may be open of the net asset
value per share of the Series' shares of beneficial
interest outstanding, determined in accordance with
any applicable provisions of law and the provisions
of the Declaration of Trust, as amended, of the
Fund as of the close of business on such business
day. In the event that prices are to be calculated
more than once daily, the Fund will promptly advise
the Distributor of the time of each calculation and
the price computed at each such time.
6. The Distributor agrees to submit to the Fund, prior to its use, the
form of all sales literature proposed to be generally disseminated by
or for the Distributor, all advertisements proposed to be used by the
Distributor, all sales literature or advertisements prepared by or
for the Distributor for such dissemination or for use by
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others in connection with the sale of the Series' shares, and the
form of dealers' sales contract the Distributor intends to use in
connection with sales of the Series' shares. The Distributor also
agrees that the Distributor will submit such sales literature and
advertisements to the NASD, SEC or other regulatory agency as from
time to time may be appropriate, considering practices then current
in the industry. The Distributor agrees not to use such form of
dealers' sales contract or to use or to permit others to use such
sales literature or advertisements without the written consent of the
Fund if any regulatory agency expresses objection thereto or if the
Fund delivers to the Distributor a written objection thereto.
7. The purchase price of each share sold hereunder shall be the offering
price per share mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto, and as
described in the Fund's Prospectus, as amended from time to time,
determined in accordance with any applicable provision of law, the
provisions of its Declaration of Trust and the Rules of Fair Practice
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
8. The responsibility of the Distributor hereunder shall be limited to the
promotion of sales of Series' shares. The Distributor shall undertake
to promote such sales solely as agent of the Fund, and shall not
purchase or sell such shares as principal. Orders for Series' shares
and payment for such orders shall be directed to the Fund's agent,
Delaware Service Company, Inc. for acceptance on behalf of the Fund.
The Distributor is not empowered to approve orders for sales of Series'
shares or accept payment for such orders. Sales of Series' shares shall
be deemed to be made when and where accepted by Delaware Service
Company, Inc. on behalf of the Fund.
9. With respect to the apportionment of costs between the Fund and the
Distributor of activities with which both are concerned, the
following will apply:
(a) The Fund and the Distributor will cooperate in preparing the
Registration Statements, the Prospectus, the Statement of
Additional Information, and all amendments, supplements and
replacements thereto. The Fund will pay all costs incurred in
the preparation of the Fund's Registration Statement,
including typesetting, the costs incurred in printing and
mailing Prospectuses and Annual,
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Semi-Annual and other financial reports to its own
shareholders and fees and expenses of counsel and
accountants.
(b) The Distributor will pay the costs incurred in printing and
mailing copies of Prospectuses to prospective investors.
(c) The Distributor will pay advertising and promotional
expenses, including the costs of literature sent to
prospective investors.
(d) The Fund will pay the costs and fees incurred in registering
or qualifying the Series' shares with the various states and
with the SEC.
(e) The Distributor will pay the costs of any additional copies
of Fund financial and other reports and other Fund
literature supplied to the Distributor by the Fund for sales
promotion purposes.
10. The Distributor may engage in other business, provided such other
business does not interfere with the performance by the Distributor
of its obligations under this Agreement.
11. The Fund agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless from the assets
of the Series the Distributor and each person, if any, who controls the
Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act of
1933, from and against any and all losses, damages, or liabilities to
which, jointly or severally, the Distributor or such controlling person
may become subject, insofar as the losses, damages or liabilities arise
out of the performance of its duties hereunder except that the Fund
shall not be liable for indemnification of the Distributor or any
controlling person thereof for any liability to the Fund or its
security holders to which they would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance
of their duties under this Agreement.
12. Copies of financial reports, Registration Statements and
Prospectuses, as well as demands, notices, requests, consents,
waivers, and other communications in writing which it may be
necessary or desirable for either party to deliver or furnish to the
other will be duly delivered or furnished, if delivered to such party
at its address shown below during regular business hours, or if sent
to that party by registered mail or by prepaid telegram filed with an
office or with an agent of Western Union or another nationally
recognized telegraph service, in all cases within the time or times
herein prescribed,
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addressed to the recipient at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, or at such other address as the Fund or the
Distributor may designate in writing and furnish to the other.
13. This Agreement shall not be assigned, as that term is defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, by the Distributor and shall terminate
automatically in the event of its attempted assignment by the
Distributor. This Agreement shall not be assigned by the Fund without
the written consent of the Distributor signed by its duly authorized
officers and delivered to the Fund. Except as specifically provided in
the indemnification provision contained in Paragraph 11 herein, this
Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are for the sole and
exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their legal successors and
no express or implied provision of this Agreement is intended or shall
be construed to give any person other than the parties hereto and their
legal successors any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or
in respect of this Agreement or any provisions herein contained.
14. (a) This Agreement shall remain in force for a period of two years
from the date hereof and from year to year thereafter, but
only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at
least annually by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series
and only if the terms and the renewal thereof have been
approved by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Fund
who are not parties hereto or interested persons of any such
party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval.
(b) The Distributor may terminate this Agreement on written
notice to the Fund at any time in case the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement shall be suspended, or in case
Stop Order proceedings are initiated by the SEC in respect
of the Registration Statement and such proceedings are not
withdrawn or terminated within thirty days. The Distributor
may also terminate this Agreement at any time by giving the
Fund written notice of its intention to terminate the
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Agreement at the expiration of three months from the date of
delivery of such written notice of intention to the Fund.
(c) The Fund may terminate this Agreement at any time on at least
thirty days prior written notice to the Distributor (1) if
proceedings are commenced by the Distributor or any of its
partners for the Distributor's liquidation or dissolution or
the winding up of the Distributor's affairs; (2) if a receiver
or trustee of the Distributor or any of its property is
appointed and such appointment is not vacated within thirty
days thereafter; (3) if, due to any action by or before any
court or any federal or state commission, regulatory body, or
administrative agency or other governmental body, the
Distributor shall be prevented from selling securities in the
United States or because of any action or conduct on the
Distributor's part, sales of the shares are not qualified for
sale. The Fund may also terminate this Agreement at any time
upon prior written notice to the Distributor of its intention
to so terminate at the expiration of three months from the
date of the delivery of such written notice to the
Distributor.
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15. The validity, interpretation and construction of this Agreement, and
of each part hereof, will be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
16. In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void
or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder
of the Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
DELAWARE DISTRIBUTORS, L.P.
By: DELAWARE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.,
General Partner
Attest:
/s/Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx By: /s/Xxxxx Xxxxxx
----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Assistant Vice President/ Title: President and Chief Executive
Assistant Secretary Officer
DELAWARE GROUP STATE TAX-FREE
INCOME TRUST for the TAX-FREE OHIO
FUND
Attest:
/s/Xxxxx X. X'Xxxxxx By: /s/Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------------------ ---------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. X'Xxxxxx Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Assistant Vice President/ Title: Executive Vice President/
Assistant Secretary/ Chief Operating Officer/
Senior Counsel Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT A
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
DELAWARE GROUP STATE TAX-FREE INCOME TRUST
TAX-FREE OHIO FUND
TAX-FREE OHIO FUND A CLASS
The following Distribution Plan (the "Plan") has been
adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
"Act") by DELAWARE GROUP STATE TAX-FREE INCOME TRUST (the "Fund"), for the
TAX-FREE OHIO FUND series (the "Series") on behalf of the TAX-FREE OHIO FUND A
CLASS (the "Class"), which Fund, Series and Class may do business under these
or such other names as the Board of Trustees of the Fund may designate from
time to time. The Plan has been approved by a majority of the Board of
Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons
of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
operation of the Plan or in any agreements related thereto ("non-interested
Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such Plan. Such approval by the Trustees included a determination that in the
exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary
duties, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Series
and shareholders of the Class. The Plan was adopted prior to any public
offering of the Class.
The Fund is a trust organized under the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, is authorized to issue different series and classes of securities
and is an open-end management investment company registered under the Act.
Delaware Management Company, Inc. serves as the Series' investment adviser and
manager pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement. Delaware Service
Company, Inc. serves as the Series' shareholder servicing, dividend disbursing
and transfer agent. Delaware Distributors, L.P. (the "Distributor") is the
principal underwriter and national distributor for the Series' shares, including
shares of the Class, pursuant to the
A-1
Distribution Agreement between the Distributor and the Fund on behalf of the
Series ("Distribution Agreement").
The Plan provides that:
1. The Fund shall pay to the Distributor a monthly fee not
to exceed 0.3% (3/10 of l%) per annum of the Series' average daily net assets
represented by shares of the Class (the "Maximum Amount") as may be determined
by the Fund's Board of Trustees from time to time. Such monthly fee shall be
reduced by the aggregate sums paid by the Fund on behalf of the Series to
persons other than broker-dealers (the "Service Providers") who may, pursuant
to servicing agreements, provide to the Series services in the Series'
marketing of shares of the Class.
2. (a) The Distributor shall use the monies paid to it
pursuant to paragraph l above to furnish, or cause or encourage others to
furnish, services and incentives in connection with the promotion, offering
and sale of Class shares and, where suitable and appropriate, the retention of
Class shares by shareholders.
(b) The Service Providers shall use the monies paid
respectively to them to reimburse themselves for the actual costs they have
incurred in confirming that their customers have received the Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information, if applicable, and as a fee for (l)
assisting such customers in maintaining proper records with the Fund, (2)
answering questions relating to their respective accounts, and (3) aiding in
maintaining the investment of their respective customers in the Class.
3. The Distributor shall report to the Fund at least monthly
on the amount and the use of the monies paid to it under the Plan. The Service
Providers shall inform the Fund monthly and in writing of the amounts each
claims under the Plan; both the Distributor and the Service Providers shall
furnish the Board of Trustees of the Fund with such other information as the
Board may reasonably request in connection with the payments made under the
Plan and the use thereof by the Distributor and the Service Providers,
respectively, in order to enable the Board to make an informed determination
of the amount of the Fund's payments and whether the Plan should be continued.
A-2
4. The officers of the Fund shall furnish to the Board of
Trustees of the Fund, for their review, on a quarterly basis, a written report
of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which such
expenditures were made.
5. This Plan shall take effect at such time as the
Distributor shall notify the Fund in writing of the commencement of the Plan
(the "Commencement Date"); thereafter, the Plan shall continue in effect for a
period of more than one year from the Commencement Date only so long as such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of the Board
of Trustees of the Fund, and of the non-interested Trustees, cast in person at
a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plan.
6. (a) The Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a
majority of the non-interested Trustees or by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Class.
(b) The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the
amount to be spent for distribution pursuant to paragraph l thereof without
approval by the shareholders of the Class.
7. All material amendments to this Plan shall be approved by
the non-interested Trustees in the manner described in paragraph 5 above.
8. So long as the Plan is in effect, the selection and
nomination of the Fund's non-interested Trustees shall be committed to the
discretion of such non-interested Trustees.
9. The definitions contained in Sections 2(a)(19) and
2(a)(42) of the Act shall govern the meaning of "interested person(s)" and
"vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities," respectively, for
the purposes of this Plan.
This Plan shall take effect on the Commencement Date, as
previously defined.
September 2, 1997
A-3
EXHIBIT B
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
DELAWARE GROUP STATE TAX-FREE INCOME TRUST
TAX-FREE OHIO FUND
TAX-FREE OHIO FUND B CLASS
The following Distribution Plan (the "Plan") has been adopted
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act") by
DELAWARE GROUP STATE TAX-FREE INCOME TRUST (the "Fund"), for the TAX-FREE OHIO
FUND series (the "Series") on behalf of the TAX-FREE OHIO FUND B CLASS (the
"Class"), which Fund, Series and Class may do business under these or such
other names as the Board of Trustees of the Fund may designate from time to
time. The Plan has been approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees,
including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the
Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of
the Plan or in any agreements related thereto ("non-interested Trustees"),
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plan.
Such approval by the Trustees included a determination that in the exercise of
reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties, there is
a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Series and shareholders
of the Class. The Plan was adopted prior to any public offering of the Class.
The Fund is a trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, is authorized to issue different series and classes of securities
and is an open-end management investment company registered under the Act.
Delaware Management Company, Inc. serves as the Series' investment adviser and
manager pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement. Delaware Service
Company, Inc. serves as the Series' shareholder servicing, dividend disbursing
and transfer agent. Delaware Distributors, L.P. (the "Distributor") is the
principal underwriter and national distributor for the Series' shares, including
shares of the Class, pursuant to the Distribution Agreement between the
Distributor and the Fund on behalf of the Series ("Distribution Agreement").
B-1
The Plan provides that:
1. (a) The Fund shall pay to the Distributor a monthly fee not to
exceed 0.75% (3/4 of 1%) per annum of the Series' average daily net assets
represented by shares of the Class as may be determined by the Fund's Board of
Trustees from time to time.
(b) In addition to the amounts described in (a) above, the Fund
shall pay (i) to the Distributor for payment to dealers or others, or (ii)
directly to others, an amount not to exceed 0.25% (1/4 of 1%) per annum of the
Series' average daily net assets represented by shares of the Class, as a
service fee pursuant to dealer or servicing agreements.
2. (a) The Distributor shall use the monies paid to it pursuant to
paragraph 1(a) above to assist in the distribution and promotion of shares of
the Class. Payments made to the Distributor under the Plan may be used for,
among other things, preparation and distribution of advertisements, sales
literature and prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, as well as
compensation related to sales and marketing personnel, and holding special
promotions. In addition, such fees may be used to pay for advancing the
commission costs to dealers with respect to the sale of Class shares.
(b) The monies to be paid pursuant to paragraph 1(b) above shall be
used to pay dealers or others for, among other things, furnishing personal
services and maintaining shareholder accounts, which services include confirming
that customers have received the Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information, if applicable; assisting such customers in maintaining proper
records with the Fund; answering questions relating to their respective
accounts; and aiding in maintaining the investment of their respective customers
in the Class.
3. The Distributor shall report to the Fund at least monthly on the
amount and the use of the monies paid to it under paragraph 1(a) above. In
addition, the Distributor and others shall inform the Fund monthly and in
writing of the amounts paid under paragraph 1(b) above; both the Distributor
and any others receiving fees under the Plan shall furnish the Board of
Trustees of the Fund with such other information as the Board may reasonably
request in connection with the payments made under the Plan and the use
thereof by the Distributor and others in order to enable the Board to make an
informed determination of the amount of the Fund's payments and whether the
Plan should be continued.
B-2
4. The officers of the Fund shall furnish to the Board of Trustees of
the Fund, for their review, on a quarterly basis, a written report of the
amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures
were made.
5. This Plan shall take effect at such time as the Distributor shall
notify the Fund of the commencement of the Plan (the "Commencement Date");
thereafter, the Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one
year from the Commencement Date only so long as such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually by a vote of the Board of Trustees of
the Fund, and of the non-interested Trustees, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such Plan.
6. (a) The Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority
of the non-interested Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Class
(b) The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to
be spent for distribution pursuant to paragraph 1 thereof without approval by
the shareholders of the Class.
7. All material amendments to this Plan shall be approved by the
non-interested Trustees in the manner described in paragraph 5 above.
8. So long as the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of
the Fund's non-interested Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of
such non-interested Trustees.
9. The definitions contained in Sections 2(a)(19) and 2(a)(42) of the
Act shall govern the meaning of "interested person(s)" and "vote of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities," respectively, for the purposes of this
Plan.
This Plan shall take effect on the Commencement Date, as previously
defined.
September 2, 1997
B-3
EXHIBIT C
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
DELAWARE GROUP STATE TAX-FREE INCOME TRUST
TAX-FREE OHIO FUND
TAX-FREE OHIO FUND C CLASS
The following Distribution Plan (the "Plan") has been adopted
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act") by
DELAWARE GROUP STATE TAX-FREE INCOME TRUST (the "Fund"), for the TAX-FREE OHIO
FUND series (the "Series) on behalf of the TAX-FREE OHIO FUND C CLASS (the
"Class"), which Fund, Series and Class may do business under these or such
other names as the Board of Trustees of the Fund may designate from time to
time. The Plan has been approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees,
including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the
Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of
the Plan or in any agreements related thereto ("non-interested Trustees"),
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plan.
Such approval by the Trustees included a determination that in the exercise of
reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties, there is
a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Series and shareholders
of the Class. The Plan was adopted prior to any public offering of the Class.
The Fund is a trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, is authorized to issue different series and classes of securities
and is an open-end management investment company registered under the Act.
Delaware Management Company, Inc. serves as the Series' investment adviser and
manager pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement. Delaware Service
Company, Inc. serves as the Series' shareholder servicing, dividend disbursing
and transfer agent. Delaware Distributors, L.P. (the "Distributor") is the
principal underwriter and national distributor for the Series' shares, including
shares of the Class, pursuant to the Distribution Agreement between the
Distributor and the Fund on behalf of the Series ("Distribution Agreement").
C-1
The Plan provides that:
1.(a) The Fund shall pay to the Distributor a monthly fee not to
exceed 0.75% (3/4 of 1%) per annum of the Series' average daily net assets
represented by shares of the Class as may be determined by the Fund's Board of
Trustees from time to time.
(b) In addition to the amounts described in paragraph 1(a) above,
the Fund shall pay: (i) to the Distributor for payment to dealers or others or
(ii) directly to others, an amount not to exceed 0.25% (1/4 of 1%) per annum
of the Series' average daily net assets represented by shares of the Class, as
a service fee pursuant to dealer or servicing agreements.
2.(a) The Distributor shall use the monies paid to it pursuant to
paragraph 1(a) above to assist in the distribution and promotion of shares of
the Class. Payments made to the Distributor under the Plan may be used for,
among other things, preparation and distribution of advertisements, sales
literature and prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, as well as
compensation related to sales and marketing personnel, and holding special
promotions. In addition, such fees may be used to pay for advancing the
commission costs to dealers with respect to the sale of Class shares.
(b) The monies to be paid pursuant to paragraph 1(b) above shall be
used to pay dealers or others for, among other things, furnishing personal
services and maintaining shareholder accounts, which services include
confirming that customers have received the Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information, if applicable; assisting such customers in maintaining
proper records with the Fund; answering questions relating to their respective
accounts; and aiding in maintaining the investment of their respective
customers in the Class.
3. The Distributor shall report to the Fund at least monthly on the
amount and the use of the monies paid to it under paragraph 1(a) above. In
addition, the Distributor and others shall inform the Fund monthly and in
writing of the amounts paid under paragraph 1(b) above; both the Distributor
and any others receiving fees under the Plan shall furnish the Board of
Trustees of the Fund with such other information as the Board may reasonably
request in connection with the payments made under the Plan and the use
thereof by the Distributor and others in order to enable the Board to make an
informed determination of the amount of the Fund's payments and whether the
Plan should be continued.
C-2
4. The officers of the Fund shall furnish to the Board of Trustees of
the Fund, for their review, on a quarterly basis, a written report of the
amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures
were made.
5. This Plan shall take effect at such time as the Distributor shall
notify the Fund of the commencement of the Plan (the "Commencement Date");
thereafter, the Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one
year from the Commencement Date only so long as such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually by a vote of the Board of Trustees of
the Fund, and of the non-interested Trustees, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such Plan.
6.(a) The Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of
the non-interested Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Class.
(b) The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount
to be spent for distribution pursuant to paragraph 1 thereof without approval
by the shareholders of the Class.
7. All material amendments to this Plan shall be approved by the
non-interested Trustees in the manner described in paragraph 5 above.
8. So long as the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of
the Fund's non-interested Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of
such non-interested Trustees.
9. The definitions contained in Sections 2(a)(19) and 2(a)(42) of the
Act shall govern the meaning of "interested person(s)" and "vote of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities," respectively, for the purposes of this
Plan.
This Plan shall take effect on the Commencement Date, as previously
defined.
September 2, 1997
C-3
