Exhibit 4(xiii)
FORM OF
AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT
By and Among
DOMINION RESOURCES, INC.
as Sponsor,
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
as Property Trustee,
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK DELAWARE,
as Delaware Trustee,
and
THE ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEES NAMED HEREIN
Dated as of ____, ____
CROSS REFERENCE TABLE*
SECTION OF TRUST
INDENTURE ACT OF SECTION OF
1939, AS AMENDED AGREEMENT
---------------- ----------
310(A).....................................................................6.3
310(B)..........................................................6.3(C); 6.3(D)
310(C)............................................................INAPPLICABLE
311(A)..................................................................2.2(B)
311(B)..................................................................2.2(B)
311(C)............................................................INAPPLICABLE
312(A)..................................................................2.2(A)
312(B)..................................................................2.2(B)
312(C)............................................................INAPPLICABLE
313(A).....................................................................2.3
313(B).....................................................................2.3
313(C).....................................................................2.3
313(D).....................................................................2.3
314(A).....................................................................2.4
314(B)............................................................INAPPLICABLE
314(C).....................................................................2.5
314(D)............................................................INAPPLICABLE
314(E).....................................................................2.5
314(F)............................................................INAPPLICABLE
315(A).........................................................3.9(B); 3.10(A)
315(B)..................................................................2.7(A)
315(C)..................................................................3.9(A)
315(D)..................................................................3.9(B)
316(A).....................................................2.6; 7.5(B); 7.6(C)
316(B)............................................................INAPPLICABLE
316(C)............................................................INAPPLICABLE
317(A)....................................................................3.16
317(B)............................................................INAPPLICABLE
318(A)..................................................................2.1(C)
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* THIS CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE PART OF THE AGREEMENT AND
SHALL NOT HAVE ANY BEARING UPON THE INTERPRETATION OF ANY OF ITS TERMS OR
PROVISIONS.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE 1 INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS.............................................1
Section 1.1 Interpretation and Definitions......................................1
ARTICLE 2 TRUST INDENTURE ACT........................................................9
Section 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application..................................9
Section 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities....................................9
Section 2.3 Reports By the Property Trustee...................................10
Section 2.4 Periodic Reports to the Property Trustee..........................10
Section 2.5 Evidence of Compliance With Conditions Precedent..................10
Section 2.6 Trust Enforcement Event; Waiver...................................10
Section 2.7 Trust Enforcement Event; Notice...................................12
ARTICLE 3 ORGANIZATION............................................................... 13
Section 3.1 Name and Organization.............................................13
Section 3.2 Office............................................................13
Section 3.3 Purpose...........................................................13
Section 3.4 Authority.........................................................13
Section 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust....................................14
Section 3.6 Powers and Duties of the Administrative Trustees..................14
Section 3.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees..............17
Section 3.8 Powers and Duties of the Property Trustee.........................18
Section 3.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Property Trustee.......19
Section 3.10 Certain Rights of Property Trustee................................21
Section 3.11 Delaware Trustee..................................................23
Section 3.12 Execution of Documents............................................24
Section 3.13 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities............24
Section 3.14 Duration of Trust.................................................24
Section 3.15 Mergers...........................................................24
Section 3.16 Property Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.........................26
ARTICLE 4 SPONSOR.....................................................................27
Section 4.1 Responsibilities of the Sponsor...................................27
Section 4.2 Indemnification and Fees and Expenses of the Trustees.............27
ARTICLE 5 TRUST COMMON SECURITIES HOLDER.............................................28
Section 5.1 Debenture Issuer's Purchase of Common Securities..................28
Section 5.2 Covenants of the Common Securities Holder.........................28
ARTICLE 6 TRUSTEES....................................................................28
Section 6.1 Number of Trustees................................................28
Section 6.2 Delaware Trustee; Eligibility.....................................29
Section 6.3 Property Trustee; Eligibility.....................................29
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Page
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Section 6.4 Qualifications of Administrative Trustees and Delaware Trustee Generally......30
Section 6.5 Initial Administrative Trustees...............................................30
Section 6.6 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees..............................30
Section 6.7 Vacancies Among Trustees......................................................32
Section 6.8 Effect of Vacancies...........................................................32
Section 6.9 Meetings......................................................................32
Section 6.10 Delegation of Power...........................................................32
Section 6.11 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business...................33
ARTICLE 7 TERMS OF SECURITIES.....................................................................33
Section 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities.......................................33
Section 7.2 Distributions.................................................................35
Section 7.3 Redemption of Securities......................................................36
Section 7.4 Redemption Procedures.........................................................37
Section 7.5 Voting Rights of Preferred Securities.........................................38
Section 7.6 Voting Rights of Common Securities............................................41
Section 7.7 Paying Agent..................................................................42
Section 7.8 Listing.......................................................................42
Section 7.9 Transfer of Securities........................................................42
Section 7.10 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.............................44
Section 7.11 Deemed Security Holders.......................................................44
Section 7.12 Global Securities.............................................................44
Section 7.13 Over-Allotment Option.........................................................46
Section 7.14 Cancellation..................................................................48
ARTICLE 8 DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST....................................................48
Section 8.1 Dissolution and Termination of Trust..........................................48
Section 8.2 Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution of the Trust........................49
ARTICLE 9 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, DELAWARE TRUSTEES OR OTHERS...........49
Section 9.1 Liability.....................................................................49
Section 9.2 Exculpation...................................................................50
Section 9.3 Fiduciary Duty................................................................50
Section 9.4 Indemnification...............................................................51
Section 9.5 Outside Businesses............................................................54
ARTICLE 10 ACCOUNTING.............................................................................54
Section 10.1 Fiscal Year...................................................................54
Section 10.2 Certain Accounting Matters....................................................54
Section 10.3 Banking.......................................................................55
Section 10.4 Withholding...................................................................55
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ARTICLE 11 AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS.....................................................55
Section 11.1 Amendments..........................................................55
Section 11.2 Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written Consent....57
ARTICLE 12 REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE....................59
Section 12.1 Representations and Warranties of the Property Trustee..............59
Section 12.2 Representations and Warranties of the Delaware Trustee..............60
ARTICLE 13 MISCELLANEOUS...............................................................60
Section 13.1 Notices.............................................................60
Section 13.2 Governing Law.......................................................61
Section 13.3 Intention of the Parties............................................61
Section 13.4 Headings............................................................61
Section 13.5 Successors and Assigns..............................................62
Section 13.6 Partial Enforceability..............................................62
Section 13.7 Counterparts........................................................62
EXHIBITS
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EXHIBIT A FORM OF PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT B FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE
iii
AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT
This AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT (the "Trust Agreement"), dated as
of ,____, 1999 is entered into by and among (i) Dominion Resources, Inc., a
Virginia corporation, as sponsor (the "Sponsor"), (ii)(a) The Chase Manhattan
Bank, a New York banking corporation, as initial Property Trustee, (b) The Chase
Manhattan Bank Delaware, a Delaware corporation, as Delaware Trustee, and (c)
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, an individual, and G. Xxxxx Xxxxxx, an individual, each of
whose address is 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000 (each an
"Administrative Trustee" and, collectively, the "Administrative Trustees" and,
together with the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, the "Trustees", all
not in their individual capacities, but solely as Trustees.) and (iii) the
several Holders as hereinafter defined.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Delaware Trustee and the Sponsor established Dominion
Resources Capital Trust __ (the "Trust"), a business trust under the Business
Trust Act (as defined, together with other capitalized terms, herein) pursuant
to a Trust Agreement dated as of December 17, 1999, (the "Original Trust
Agreement") and a Certificate of Trust (the "Certificate of Trust") filed with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 17, 1999;
WHEREAS, the sole purpose of the Trust shall be to issue and sell certain
securities representing undivided beneficial ownership interests in the assets
of the Trust, to invest the proceeds from such sales in the Debentures issued by
the Debenture Issuer and to engage in only those activities necessary or
incidental thereto; and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto, by this Trust Agreement, amend and restate
each and every term and provision of the Original Trust Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto to continue
the Trust as a business trust under the Business Trust Act and that this Trust
Agreement constitute the governing instrument of such business trust, the
Trustees hereby declare that all assets contributed to the Trust be held in
trust for the benefit of the Holders, from time to time, of the Securities
representing undivided beneficial ownership interests in the assets of the Trust
issued hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 Interpretation and Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
1
(a) capitalized terms used in this Trust Agreement but not defined in the
preamble above have the meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1;
(b) a term defined anywhere in this Trust Agreement has the same meaning
throughout;
(c) all references to "the Trust Agreement" or "this Trust Agreement" are
to this Trust Agreement as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;
(d) all references in this Trust Agreement to Articles, Sections, Recitals
and Exhibits are to Articles and Sections of, or Recitals and Exhibits to, this
Trust Agreement unless otherwise specified;
(e) unless otherwise defined in this Trust Agreement, a term defined in the
Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when used in this Trust Agreement; and
(f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa and a
reference to any masculine form of a term shall include the feminine form of a
term, as applicable.
(g) the following terms have the following meanings:
"ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEE" means any Trustee other than the Property Trustee
and the Delaware Trustee.
"AFFILIATE" of any specified Person shall mean any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common
control with, such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified Person shall mean the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" shall have meanings correlative to
the foregoing.
"AUTHORIZED OFFICER" of a Person means any Person that is authorized to
bind such Person.
"BANKRUPTCY EVENT" means, with respect to any Person:
(a) the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the
premises judging such Person a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly
filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjudication or
composition of or in respect of such Person under any applicable Federal or
State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or appointing
a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar
official) of such Person or of any substantial part of its property or ordering
the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such
decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or
2
(b) the institution by such Person of proceedings to be adjudicated
bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the institution of bankruptcy or
insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer
or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or
State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or the
consent by it to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of a
receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar
official) of such Person or of any substantial part of its property, or the
making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by
it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due and
its willingness to be adjudicated a bankrupt, or the taking of corporate action
by such Person in furtherance of any such action.
"BENEFICIAL OWNERS" means, for Preferred Securities represented by a Global
Security, the Person who acquires an interest in the Preferred Securities which
is reflected on the records of the Depositary through the Depositary
Participants.
"BUSINESS DAY" means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is not
a day on which banking institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
"BUSINESS TRUST ACT" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12
Del. Code Section 3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, or any
successor legislation.
"CASH SETTLEMENT" shall have the meaning specified in the Purchase Contract
Agreement.
"CERTIFICATE" means a Common Security Certificate or a Preferred Security
Certificate.
"CERTIFICATE OF TRUST" has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.
"CLOSING DATE" means the date on which the Preferred Securities are issued
and sold, PROVIDED that if the Trust and the Sponsor grant the underwriters or
initial purchasers an option to purchase an additional amount of Preferred
Securities, pursuant to Section 7.13(a), including for the purpose of covering
over-allotments, pursuant to the underwriting agreement or purchase agreement,
as the case may be, and such option is so exercised, then the term "Closing
Date" shall mean such initial or second closing date, as the context requires.
"CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time, or any successor legislation. A reference to a specific section of the
Code refers not only to such specific section but also to any corresponding
provision of any federal tax statute enacted after the date of this Trust
Agreement, as such specific section or corresponding provision is in effect on
the date of application of the provisions of this Trust Agreement containing
such reference.
"COMMISSION" means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor
thereto.
3
"COMMON SECURITY" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1.
"COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE" means a definitive certificate in fully
registered form representing a Common Security, substantially in the form of
Exhibit B hereto.
"COMMON SECURITIES HOLDER" means Dominion Resources, Inc., in its capacity
as purchaser and holder of all of the Common Securities issued by the Trust.
"CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE" means the office of the Property Trustee at which
at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally
administered, which office at the date of execution of this Trust Agreement is
located at 000 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000, Attention: Capital Markets
Fiduciary Services.
"COVERED PERSON" means (a) any officer, director, shareholder, partner,
member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) the Trust's
Affiliates; and (b) any Holder.
"DEBENTURES" shall mean the series of junior subordinated debentures to be
issued by the Debenture Issuer under the Indenture and to be purchased by the
Trust and held by the Property Trustee.
"DEBENTURE ISSUER" shall mean Dominion Resources, Inc., a Virginia
corporation, in its capacity as issuer of the Debentures under the Indenture.
"DEBENTURE ISSUER INDEMNIFIED PERSON" shall mean (A) any Administrative
Trustee, (B) any Affiliate of any Administrative Trustee, (C) any officers,
directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents
of any Administrative Trustee or any Affiliate thereof or (D) any officer,
employee or agent of the Trust or its Affiliates.
"DEPOSITARY" means, with respect to Securities issuable in whole or in part
in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency registered under
the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for such Securities.
"DEPOSITARY PARTICIPANT" means a member of, or participant in, the
Depositary.
"DIRECT ACTION" has the meaning specified in Section 3.8(e).
"DISTRIBUTION" means a distribution payable to Holders of Securities in
accordance with Section 7.2.
"EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from
time to time, or any successor legislation.
"FIDUCIARY INDEMNIFIED PERSON" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(b).
"FISCAL YEAR" has the meaning specified in Section 10.1.
4
"GLOBAL SECURITY" means a fully registered, global Preferred Security
Certificate.
"GUARANTEE" means the Guarantee Agreement, dated as of ________ __, ____,
of the Sponsor in respect of the Securities.
"HOLDER" means any holder of Securities, as registered on the books and
records of the Trust; provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders
of the requisite liquidation amount of Preferred Securities have voted on any
matter provided for in this Trust Agreement, then for the purpose of such
determination only (and not for any other purpose hereunder), if the Preferred
Securities remain in the form of one or more Global Securities and if the
Depositary which is the holder of such Global Securities has sent an omnibus
proxy to the Trust assigning voting rights to Depositary Participants to whose
accounts the Preferred Securities are credited on the record date, the term
"Holders" shall mean such Depositary Participants acting at the direction of the
Beneficial Owners.
"INDEMNIFIED PERSON" means a Debenture Issuer Indemnified Person or a
Fiduciary Indemnified Person.
"INDENTURE" means the Indenture, dated as of December 1, 1997, between the
Debenture Issuer and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee, pursuant to which the
Debentures are to be issued.
"INDENTURE EVENT OF DEFAULT" has the meaning given to the term "Event of
Default" in the Indenture.
"INDENTURE TRUSTEE" means The Chase Manhattan Bank, in its capacity as
trustee under the Indenture until a successor is appointed thereunder, and
thereafter means such successor trustee.
"INVESTMENT COMPANY" means an investment company as defined in the
Investment Company Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
"INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.
"INVESTMENT COMPANY EVENT" means the receipt by the Trust of an opinion of
a nationally recognized independent counsel (an "Investment Company Act
Opinion"), to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law
or regulation or a written change in interpretation or application of law or
regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory
authority (a "Change in 1940 Act Law"), the Trust is or will be considered an
"investment company" that is required to be registered under the Investment
Company Act, which Change in 1940 Act Law becomes effective on or after the
Closing Date.
"LEGAL ACTION" has the meaning specified in Section 3.6(g).
5
"LIST OF HOLDERS" has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a).
"MAJORITY IN LIQUIDATION AMOUNT" means, except as provided in the terms of
the Preferred Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding
Securities, voting together as a single class, or, as the context may require,
Holders of outstanding Preferred Securities or Holders of outstanding Common
Securities, voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of more than
50% of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would
be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accumulated and unpaid
Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of
all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.
"NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE" means the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. or any
successor thereto.
"OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE" means, with respect to any Person, a certificate
signed on behalf of such Person by two Authorized Officers of such Person. Any
Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Trust Agreement shall include:
(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has
read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation undertaken by each officer on behalf of such Person in rendering
the Officers' Certificate;
(c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer
on behalf of such Person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not
such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer acting
on behalf of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with;
provided, that the term "Officers' Certificate", when used with reference to
Administrative Trustees who are natural persons shall mean a certificate signed
by two or more of the Administrative Trustees which otherwise satisfies the
foregoing requirements.
["OPTION" has the meaning specified in Section 7.13(a).]
"PAYING AGENT" has the meaning specified in Section 3.8(h).
"PAYMENT AMOUNT" has the meaning specified in Section 7.2(c).
"PREFERRED SECURITY" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1.
"PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATE" means a definitive certificate in fully
registered form representing a Preferred Security, substantially in the form of
Exhibit A.
6
"PERSON" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.
"PROPERTY ACCOUNT" has the meaning specified in Section 3.8(c).
"PROPERTY TRUSTEE" means the Trustee meeting the eligibility requirements
set forth in Section 6.3.
"PRO RATA" means pro rata to each Holder of Securities according to the
aggregate liquidation amount of the Securities held by the relevant Holder in
relation to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Securities outstanding.
"PURCHASE CONTRACT AGREEMENT" shall mean the Purchase Contract Agreement
dated as of ____, 200_ between the Company and the [_______], as Purchase
Contract Agent.
"QUORUM" means a majority of the Administrative Trustees or, if there are
only two Administrative Trustees, both of them.
"REDEMPTION/DISTRIBUTION NOTICE" has the meaning specified in Section
7.4(a) hereto.
"REDEMPTION PRICE" means the amount for which the Securities will be
redeemed, which amount will equal (i) the redemption price paid by the Debenture
Issuer to repay or redeem, in whole or in part, the Debentures held by the Trust
plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid Distributions on such Securities
through the date of their redemption or (ii) such lesser amount as will be
received by the Trust in respect of the Debentures so repaid or redeemed.
"RELATED PARTY" means, with respect to the Sponsor, any direct or wholly
owned subsidiary of the Sponsor or any Person that owns, directly or indirectly,
100% of the outstanding voting securities of the Sponsor.
"RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" means, with respect to the Property Trustee, any
officer with direct responsibility for the administration of this Trust
Agreement and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter,
any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer's
knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
"SECURITIES" means the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities.
"SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to
time, or any successor legislation.
7
"SPECIAL EVENT" means a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event.
"SPONSOR" means Dominion Resources, Inc., a Virginia corporation, or any
successor entity in a transaction involving the Sponsor that is permitted by
Article XI of the Indenture and pursuant to which the successor agrees in
writing to perform the Sponsor's obligations hereunder.
"SUCCESSOR DELAWARE TRUSTEE" has the meaning specified in Section 6.6(b).
"SUCCESSOR ENTITY" has the meaning specified in Section 3.15(b)(i).
"SUCCESSOR PROPERTY TRUSTEE" has the meaning specified in Section 6.6(b).
"SUCCESSOR SECURITY" has the meaning specified in Section 3.15(b)(i)b.
"SUPER MAJORITY" has the meaning specified in Section 2.6(a)(ii).
"TAX EVENT" means the receipt by the Trust of an opinion of independent tax
counsel experienced in such matters( "Tax Event Opinion"), to the effect that,
as a result of (a) any amendment to, change in or announced prospective change
in the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any
political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or (b) any
official administrative written decision or pronouncement, or judicial decision
interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is
effective or which, pronouncement, or decision is announced on or after the
Closing Date, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is, or
will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to the United States
federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the Debentures,
(ii) interest payable by the Debenture Issuer on the Debentures is not, or
within 90 days of the date of such opinion will not be, deductible, in whole or
in part, by the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes,
or (iii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion,
subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other
governmental charges.
"10% IN LIQUIDATION AMOUNT" means, except as provided in the terms of the
Preferred Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding
Securities, voting together as a single class, or, as the context may require,
Holders of outstanding Preferred Securities or Holders of outstanding Common
Securities, voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of 10% or
more of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would
be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid
Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of
all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.
"TREASURY REGULATIONS" means the income tax regulations, including
temporary and proposed regulations, promulgated under the Code by the United
States Treasury, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including
corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).
8
"TRUST ENFORCEMENT EVENT" in respect of the Securities means an Indenture
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing in respect of the Debentures.
"TRUST INDENTURE ACT" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended
from time to time, or any successor legislation.
"TRUSTEE" or "TRUSTEES" means each Person who has signed this Trust
Agreement as a trustee, so long as such Person shall continue as a trustee in
accordance with the terms hereof, and all other Persons who may from time to
time be duly appointed, qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the
provisions hereof, and references herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall
refer to such Person or Persons solely in their capacity as trustees hereunder.
ARTICLE 2
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application.
(a) This Trust Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Trust Agreement and shall, to
the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
(b) The Property Trustee shall be the only Trustee which is a Trustee for
the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) If and to the extent that any provision of this Trust Agreement
conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the
Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.
(d) The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Trust Agreement
shall not affect the Trust's classification as a grantor trust for United States
federal income tax purposes and shall not affect the nature of the Securities as
equity securities representing undivided beneficial ownership interests in the
assets of the Trust.
SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities.
(a) Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the
Trust shall provide the Property Trustee at any time when the Property Trustee
is not also acting as Security Registrar for the Securities (i) except while the
Preferred Securities are represented by one or more Global Securities, at least
five Business Days prior to the date for payment of Distributions, a list, in
such form as the Property Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and
addresses of the Holders of the Securities ("List of Holders") as of the record
date relating to the payment of such Distributions, and (ii) at any other time,
within 30 days of receipt by the Trust of a written request from the Property
Trustee for a List of Holders, as of a date no more than 15 days before such
List of Holders is given to the Property Trustee; provided that neither the
Sponsor
9
nor the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall be obligated to
provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ
from the most recent List of Holders given to the Property Trustee by the
Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust. The Property
Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all
information contained in Lists of Holders given to it or which it receives in
the capacity as Paying Agent (if acting in such capacity), provided that the
Property Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on
receipt of a new List of Holders.
(b) The Property Trustee shall comply with its obligations under, and shall
be entitled to the benefits of, Sections 311(a), 311(b) and 312(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Property Trustee.
[Within 60 days after September 15] of each year (commencing with the year
of the first anniversary of the issuance of the Preferred Securities), the
Property Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Preferred Securities such
reports as are required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in
the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act.
The Property Trustee shall also comply with the other requirements of Section
313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Sponsor shall promptly notify the Property
Trustee when the Preferred Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to the Property Trustee.
Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust
shall provide to the Property Trustee such documents, reports and information as
required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act (if any) and the compliance
certificate required by Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act in the
form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust
Indenture Act, provided that such compliance certificate shall be delivered on
or before 120 days after the end of each calendar year of the Sponsor.
SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.
Each of the Sponsor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust
shall provide to the Property Trustee such evidence of compliance with any
conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Trust Agreement that relate
to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to
Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate.
SECTION 2.6 Trust Enforcement Events; Waiver.
(a) The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred
Securities may, by vote or written consent, on behalf of the Holders of all of
the Preferred Securities, waive any past Trust Enforcement Event in respect of
the Preferred Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying
Indenture Event of Default:
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(i) is not waivable under the Indenture, the Trust Enforcement Event
under the Trust Agreement shall also not be waivable; or
(ii) requires the consent or vote of the Holders of greater than a
majority in principal amount of the Debentures (a "Super Majority") to be waived
under the Indenture, the related Trust Enforcement Event under the Trust
Agreement may only be waived by the vote or written consent of the Holders of at
least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities that the
relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the
Debentures outstanding.
The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(a) shall be in lieu of Section
316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the
Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Trust Agreement and
the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Upon such waiver, any
such default shall cease to exist, and any Trust Enforcement Event with respect
to the Preferred Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been
cured, for every purpose of this Trust Agreement and the Preferred Securities,
but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Trust Enforcement
Event with respect to the Preferred Securities or impair any right consequent
thereon. Any waiver by the Holders of the Preferred Securities of a Trust
Enforcement Event with respect to the Preferred Securities shall also be deemed
to constitute a waiver by the Holders of the Common Securities of any such Trust
Enforcement Event with respect to the Common Securities for all purposes of this
Trust Agreement without any further act, vote, or consent of the Holders of the
Common Securities.
(b) The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common
Securities may, by vote or written consent, on behalf of the Holders of all of
the Common Securities, waive any past Trust Enforcement Event in respect of the
Common Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying
Indenture Event of Default:
(i) is not waivable under the Indenture, except where the Holders of
the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Trust Enforcement Event
under the Trust Agreement as provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Trust
Enforcement Event under the Trust Agreement shall also not be waivable; or
(ii) requires the consent or vote of a Super Majority to be waived
under the Indenture, except where the Holders of the Common Securities are
deemed to have waived such Trust Enforcement Event under the Trust Agreement as
provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Trust Enforcement Event under the
Trust Agreement may only be waived by the vote or written consent of the Holders
of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Common Securities that
the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the
Debentures outstanding; provided further, each Holder of Common Securities will
be deemed to have waived any Trust Enforcement Event and all Trust Enforcement
Events with respect to the Common Securities and the consequences thereof until
all Trust Enforcement Events with respect to the Preferred Securities have been
cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, and until such Trust Enforcement Events
with respect to the Preferred Securities have been so cured, waived or otherwise
eliminated, the Property Trustee will be deemed to be acting solely on behalf of
the Holders of the Preferred Securities and only the Holders of the Preferred
Securities
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will have the right to direct the Property Trustee in accordance with the terms
of the Securities. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b) shall be in
lieu of Sections 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and
such Sections 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act are
hereby expressly excluded from this Trust Agreement and the Securities, as
permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to the foregoing provisions of
this Section 2.6(b), upon such cure, waiver or other elimination, any such
default shall cease to exist and any Trust Enforcement Event with respect to the
Common Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every
purpose of this Trust Agreement, but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other Trust Enforcement Event with respect to the Common
Securities or impair any right consequent thereon.
(c) A waiver of an Indenture Event of Default by the Property Trustee at
the direction of the Holders of the Preferred Securities constitutes a waiver of
the corresponding Trust Enforcement Event with respect to the Preferred
Securities under this Trust Agreement. The foregoing provisions of this Section
2.6(c) shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and
such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly
excluded from this Trust Agreement and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust
Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.7 Trust Enforcement Event; Notice.
(a) The Property Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of a
Trust Enforcement Event actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Property
Trustee, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders of the
Securities, notices of all such defaults with respect to the Securities, unless
such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term
"defaults" for the purposes of this Section 2.7(a) and (b) being hereby defined
to be an Indenture Event of Default, not including any periods of grace provided
for therein and irrespective of the giving of any notice provided therein);
provided that, except for a default in the payment of principal of (or premium,
if any) or interest on any of the Debentures, the Property Trustee shall be
protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of
the Property Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such
notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities.
(b) The Property Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any
default except:
(i) a default under Sections 6.1(a) and (b) of the Indenture; or
(ii) any default as to which the Property Trustee shall have received
written notice pursuant to Section 3.10(a)(xiv) or of which a Responsible
Officer of the Property Trustee charged with the administration of this Trust
Agreement shall have actual knowledge.
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ARTICLE 3
ORGANIZATION
SECTION 3.1 Name and Organization.
The Trust hereby continued is named "Dominion Resources Capital Trust __"
as such name may be modified from time to time by the Administrative Trustees
following written notice to the Holders of Securities, the Property Trustee and
the Delaware Trustee. The Trust's activities may be conducted under the name of
the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the Administrative Trustees.
SECTION 3.2 Office.
The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o Dominion Resources,
Inc., 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx , Xxxxxxxx 00000. On 10 Business Days'
written notice to the Holders of Securities, the Property Trustee and the
Delaware Trustee, the Administrative Trustees may designate another principal
office.
SECTION 3.3 Purpose.
The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and sell
Securities and use the gross proceeds from such sale to acquire the Debentures,
and (b) except as otherwise limited herein, to engage in only those other
activities necessary or incidental thereto. The Trust shall not borrow money,
issue debt or reinvest proceeds derived from investments, pledge any of its
assets or otherwise undertake (or permit to be undertaken) any activity that
would cause the Trust not to be classified as a grantor trust for United States
federal income tax purposes.
By the acceptance of this Trust, none of the Trustees, the Sponsor, the
Holders of the Preferred Securities or Common Securities or the Beneficial
Owners will take any position for United States federal income tax purposes
which is contrary to the classification of the Trust as a grantor trust.
SECTION 3.4 Authority.
Subject to the limitations provided in this Trust Agreement and to the
specific duties of the Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees shall have
exclusive authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust. An action taken by
the Administrative Trustees in accordance with their powers shall constitute the
act of and serve to bind the Trust and an action taken by the Property Trustee
on behalf of the Trust in accordance with its powers shall constitute the act of
and serve to bind the Trust. In dealing with the Trustees acting on behalf of
the Trust, no Person shall be required to inquire into the authority of the
Trustees to bind the Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely
conclusively on the power and authority of the Trustees as set forth in this
Trust Agreement.
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(a) Except as expressly set forth in this Trust Agreement and except if a
meeting of the Administrative Trustees is called with respect to any matter over
which the Administrative Trustees have power to act, any power of the
Administrative Trustees may be exercised by, or with the consent of, any one
such Administrative Trustee.
(b) Unless otherwise determined by the Administrative Trustees, and except
as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act or applicable law, any
Administrative Trustee is authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any
documents which the Administrative Trustees have the power and authority to
cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 3.6(b), provided, that the
registration statements referred to in Section 3.6(b)(ii), including any
amendments thereto, shall be signed by or on behalf of a majority of the
Administrative Trustees; and
(c) Any Administrative Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with
applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or
her power for the purposes of signing any documents which the Administrative
Trustees have power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to
Section 3.6.
SECTION 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust.
Except as provided in Section 3.8 with respect to the Debentures and the
Property Account or as otherwise provided in this Trust Agreement, legal title
to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the Trust. The Holders shall not
have legal title to any part of the assets of the Trust, but shall have an
undivided beneficial ownership interest in the assets of the Trust.
SECTION 3.6 Powers and Duties of the Administrative Trustees.
The Administrative Trustees shall have the exclusive power, duty and
authority to cause the Trust to engage in the following activities:
(a) issue and sell the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities in
accordance with this Trust Agreement; provided, however, that the Trust may
issue no more than one series of Preferred Securities and no more than one
series of Common Securities, and, provided further, that there shall be no
interests in the Trust other than the Securities, and, except as provided in
Section 7.13, the issuance of Securities shall be limited to a one-time,
simultaneous issuance of both Preferred Securities and Common Securities on the
Closing Date;
(b) in connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred Securities, at
the direction of the Sponsor, to:
(i) execute and file an application, prepared by the Sponsor, to the
New York Stock Exchange or any other national stock exchange or automated
quotation system for listing of any Preferred Securities, the Guarantee and the
Debentures;
(ii) execute and file with the Commission one or more registration
statements on the applicable forms prepared by the Sponsor, including any
amendments thereto, pertaining to the Preferred Securities, the Guarantee and
the Debentures;
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(iii) execute and file any documents prepared by the Sponsor, or take
any acts as determined by the Sponsor to be necessary, in order to qualify or
register all or part of the Preferred Securities in any State in which the
Sponsor has determined to qualify or register such Preferred Securities for
sale; and
(iv) negotiate the terms of and execute and enter into an underwriting
agreement and other related agreements providing for the sale of the Preferred
Securities;
(c) to acquire the Debentures with the proceeds of the sale of the
Preferred Securities and the Common Securities; provided, however, that the
Administrative Trustees shall cause legal title to the Debentures to be held of
record in the name of the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the
Preferred Securities and the Holders of the Common Securities;
(d) to give the Sponsor and the Property Trustee prompt written notice of
the occurrence of a Special Event; provided that the Administrative Trustee s
shall consult with the Sponsor before taking or refraining from taking any
action in relation to any such Special Event;
(e) to establish a record date with respect to all actions to be taken
hereunder that require a record date be established, including and with respect
to, for the purposes of Section 316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act,
Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant
notices to the Holders of Preferred Securities and Holders of Common Securities
as to such actions and applicable record dates;
(f) to take all actions and perform such duties as may be required of the
Administrative Trustees pursuant to the terms of this Trust Agreement and the
Securities;
(g) to bring or defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort to
legal action or otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against the Trust
("Legal Action"), unless pursuant to Section 3.8(e), the Property Trustee has
the exclusive power to bring such Legal Action;
(h) to employ or otherwise engage employees and agents (who may be
designated as officers with titles) and managers, contractors, advisors and
consultants to conduct only those services that the Administrative Trustees have
authority to conduct directly, and to and pay reasonable compensation for such
services;
(i) to cause the Trust to comply with the Trust's obligations under the
Trust Indenture Act;
(j) to give the certificate required by Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust
Indenture Act to the Property Trustee, which certificate may be executed by any
Administrative Trustee;
(k) to incur expenses that are necessary or incidental to carry out any of
the purposes of the Trust;
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(l) to act as, or appoint another Person to act as, registrar and transfer
agent for the Securities;
(m) to give prompt written notice to the Holders of the Securities of any
notice received from the Debenture Issuer of its election to defer payments of
interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period under the
Debentures as authorized by the Indenture;
(n) to take all action that may be necessary or appropriate for the
preservation and the continuation of the Trust's valid existence, rights,
franchises and privileges as a statutory business trust under the laws of the
State of Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is
necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the Preferred
Securities and the Holders of the Common Securities or to enable the Trust to
effect the purposes for which the Trust was created;
(o) to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable law, that the
Administrative Trustees determine in their discretion to be necessary or
desirable in carrying out the purposes and functions of the Trust as set out in
Section 3.3 or the activities of the Trust as set out in this Section 3.6,
including, but not limited to:
(i) causing the Trust not to be deemed to be an Investment Company
required to be registered under the Investment Company Act;
(ii) causing the Trust to be classified as a grantor trust for United
States federal income tax purposes; and
(iii) cooperating with the Debenture Issuer to ensure that the
Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Debenture Issuer for United
States federal income tax purposes.
(p) to take all action necessary to cause all applicable tax returns and
tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect to the Trust
to be duly prepared and filed by the Administrative Trustees, on behalf of the
Trust; and
(q) to execute and deliver all documents or instruments, perform all duties
and powers, and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters
necessary or incidental to the foregoing.
The Administrative Trustees shall exercise the powers set forth in this
Section 3.6 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of
the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Administrative Trustees shall have no
power to, and shall not, take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes
and functions of the Trust set forth in Section 3.3.
Subject to this Section 3.6, the Administrative Trustees shall have none of
the powers or the authority of the Property Trustee set forth in Section 3.8.
Any expenses incurred by the Administrative Trustees pursuant to this
Section 3.6 shall be reimbursed by the Debenture Issuer.
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SECTION 3.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees.
(a) The Trust shall not, and none of the Trustees (including the Property
Trustee) shall cause the Trust to, engage in any activity other than as required
or authorized by this Trust Agreement. In particular, the Trust shall not and
none of the Trustees (including the Property Trustee) shall cause the Trust to:
(i) invest any proceeds received by the Trust from holding the
Debentures, but shall distribute all such proceeds to Holders of Securities
pursuant to the terms of this Trust Agreement and of the Securities;
(ii) acquire any assets other than as expressly provided herein;
(iii) possess Trust property for other than a Trust purpose;
(iv) make any loans other than loans represented by the Debentures or
incur any indebtedness;
(v) possess any power or otherwise act in such a way as to vary the
Trust assets;
(vi) possess any power or otherwise act in such a way as to vary the
terms of the Securities in any way whatsoever (except to the extent expressly
authorized in this Trust Agreement or by the terms of the Securities);
(vii) issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial ownership of,
or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the Securities;
(viii) other than as provided in this Trust Agreement or by the terms of
the Securities, (A) direct the time, method and place of exercising any trust or
power conferred upon the Indenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (B)
waive any past default that is waivable under the Indenture, (C) exercise any
right to rescind or annul any declaration that the principal of all the
Debentures shall be due and payable, or (D) consent to any amendment,
modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures where such
consent shall be required unless the Trust shall have received an opinion of
counsel to the effect that such amendment or modification will not cause more
than an insubstantial risk that the Trust will be deemed an Investment Company
required to be registered under the Investment Company Act, or the Trust will
not be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax
purposes;
(ix) take any action inconsistent with the status of the Trust as a
grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes; or
(x) revoke any action previously authorized or approved by vote of the
Holders of the Preferred Securities except pursuant to a subsequent vote of the
Holders of the Preferred Securities.
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SECTION 3.8 Powers and Duties of the Property Trustee.
(a) The legal title to the Debentures shall be owned by and held of record
in the name of the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Trust and the Holders
of the Securities. The right, title and interest of the Property Trustee to the
Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may hereafter be
appointed as Property Trustee in accordance with Section 6.6. Such vesting and
cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents with
regard to the Debentures have been executed and delivered.
(b) The Property Trustee shall not transfer its right, title and interest
in the Debentures to the Administrative Trustees or to the Delaware Trustee (if
the Property Trustee does not also act as Delaware Trustee).
(c) The Property Trustee shall:
(i) establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust
account (the "Property Account") in the name of and under the exclusive control
of the Property Trustee on behalf of the Holders of the Securities and, upon the
receipt of payments of funds made in respect of the Debentures held by the
Property Trustee, deposit such funds into the Property Account and make payments
to the Holders of the Preferred Securities and Holders of the Common Securities
from the Property Account in accordance with Section 7.2. Funds in the Property
Account shall be held uninvested until disbursed in accordance with this Trust
Agreement. The Property Account shall be an account that is maintained with a
banking institution the rating on whose long-term unsecured indebtedness is at
least equal to the rating assigned to the Preferred Securities by a "nationally
recognized statistical rating organization", within the meaning of Rule
436(g)(2) under the Securities Act;
(ii) engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or
appropriate to effect the redemption of the Preferred Securities and the Common
Securities to the extent the Debentures are redeemed or mature; and
(iii) upon written notice of distribution issued by the Administrative
Trustees in accordance with the terms of the Securities, engage in such
ministerial activities as so directed and as shall be necessary or appropriate
to effect the distribution of the Debentures to Holders of Securities upon the
occurrence of a Special Event.
(d) The Property Trustee shall take all actions and perform such duties as
may be specifically required of the Property Trustee pursuant to the terms of
this Trust Agreement and the Securities.
(e) Subject to Section 3.9(a) the Property Trustee may take any Legal
Action which arises out of or in connection with a Trust Enforcement Event of
which a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee has actual knowledge or the
Property Trustee's duties and obligations under this Trust Agreement or the
Trust Indenture Act; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if a Trust Enforcement Event has
occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the
Debenture Issuer to pay interest, principal or other required payments on the
Debentures on
18
the date such interest, principal or other required payments are otherwise
payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), then a Holder of
Preferred Securities may directly institute a proceeding against the Debenture
Issuer for enforcement of payment to such Holder of the principal of or interest
on Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation
amount of the Preferred Securities of such Holder (a "Direct Action") on or
after the respective due date specified in the Debentures. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Trust Agreement or the Indenture, the Debenture
Issuer shall have the right to set-off any payment it is otherwise required to
make under the Indenture in respect of any Preferred Security to the extent the
Debenture Issuer has heretofore made, or is currently on the date of such
payment making, a payment under the Guarantee relating to such Preferred
Security or under Section 6.5 of the Indenture.
(f) The Property Trustee shall continue to serve as a Trustee until either:
(i) the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds of the
liquidation distributed to the Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of
the Securities; or
(ii) a Successor Property Trustee has been appointed and has accepted
that appointment in accordance with Section 6.6.
(g) The Property Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise all of the
rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Debentures under the Indenture and,
if a Trust Enforcement Event actually known to a Responsible Officer of the
Property Trustee occurs and is continuing, the Property Trustee may, for the
benefit of Holders of the Securities, enforce its rights as holder of the
Debentures subject to the rights of the Holders pursuant to this Trust Agreement
and the terms of the Securities.
(h) The Property Trustee may authorize one or more Persons (each, a "Paying
Agent") to pay Distributions, redemption payments or liquidation payments on
behalf of the Trust with respect to all Securities and any such Paying Agent
shall comply with Section 317(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any Paying Agent
may be removed by the Property Trustee at any time and a successor Paying Agent
or additional Paying Agents may be appointed at any time by the Property
Trustee.
(i) Subject to this Section 3.8, the Property Trustee shall have none of
the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Administrative Trustees
set forth in Section 3.6.
The Property Trustee shall exercise the powers set forth in this Section
3.8 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust
set out in Section 3.3, and the Property Trustee shall have no power to, and
shall not, take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions
of the Trust set out in Section 3.3.
SECTION 3.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Property Trustee.
(a) The Property Trustee, before the occurrence of any Trust Enforcement
Event and after the curing of all Trust Enforcement Events that may have
occurred, shall undertake to perform
19
only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Trust Agreement and no
implied covenants shall be read into this Trust Agreement against the Property
Trustee. In case a Trust Enforcement Event has occurred (that has not been cured
or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) of which a Responsible Officer of the
Property Trustee has actual knowledge, the Property Trustee shall exercise such
of the rights and powers vested in it by this Trust Agreement, and use the same
degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise
or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(b) No provision of this Trust Agreement shall be construed to relieve the
Property Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent
failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of a Trust Enforcement Event and after
the curing or waiving of all such Trust Enforcement Events that may have
occurred:
a. the duties and obligations of the Property Trustee shall be determined solely
by the express provisions of this Trust Agreement and the Property Trustee shall
not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are
specifically set forth in this Trust Agreement, and no implied covenants or
obligations shall be read into this Trust Agreement against the Property
Trustee; and
b. in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Property Trustee, the Property
Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions
furnished to the Property Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this
Trust Agreement; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by
any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Property
Trustee, the Property Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to
determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Trust
Agreement;
(ii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee,
unless it shall be proved that the Property Trustee was negligent in
ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(iii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
action taken or omitted to be taken by it without negligence, in good faith in
accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Securities relating to the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Property Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Property Trustee under this
Trust Agreement;
(iv) no provision of this Trust Agreement shall require the Property
Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial
liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of
its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the
repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the
terms of this Trust Agreement or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the
Property Trustee against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it;
20
(v) the Property Trustee's sole duty with respect to the custody,
safe-keeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and the Property
Account shall be to deal with such property in a similar manner as the Property
Trustee deals with similar property for its own account, subject to the
protections and limitations on liability afforded to the Property Trustee under
this Trust Agreement and the Trust Indenture Act;
(vi) the Property Trustee shall have no duty or liability for or with
respect to the value, genuineness, existence or sufficiency of the Debentures or
the payment of any taxes or assessments levied thereon or in connection
therewith;
(vii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on any
money received by it except as it may otherwise agree with the Sponsor. Money
held by the Property Trustee need not be segregated from other funds held by it
except in relation to the Property Account maintained by the Property Trustee
pursuant to Section 3.8(c)(i) and except to the extent otherwise required by
law; and
(viii) the Property Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring the
compliance by the Administrative Trustees or the Sponsor with their respective
duties under this Trust Agreement, nor shall the Property Trustee be liable for
any default or misconduct of the Administrative Trustees or the Sponsor.
SECTION 3.10 Certain Rights of Property Trustee.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9:
(i) the Property Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully
protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent,
order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented
by the proper party or parties;
(ii) any direction or act of the Sponsor or the Administrative
Trustees contemplated by this Trust Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by
an Officers' Certificate;
(iii) whenever in the administration of this Trust Agreement, the
Property Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established
before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Property Trustee
(unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of
bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officers'
Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by
the Sponsor or the Administrative Trustees;
(iv) the Property Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording,
filing or registration of any instrument (including any financing or
continuation statement or any filing under tax or securities laws) or any
rerecording, refiling or registration thereof;
21
(v) the Property Trustee may consult with counsel of its choice or other
experts and the advice or opinion of such counsel and experts with respect to
legal matters or advice within the scope of such experts' area of expertise
shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action
taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with
such advice or opinion, such counsel may be counsel to the Property Trustee or
the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates, and may include any of its employees. The
Property Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions
concerning the administration of this Trust Agreement from any court of
competent jurisdiction;
(vi) the Property Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of
the rights or powers vested in it by this Trust Agreement at the request or
direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Property
Trustee security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Property Trustee,
against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the
expenses of the Property Trustee's agents, nominees or custodians) and
liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or
direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the
Property Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in this Section 3.10(a) shall
be taken to relieve the Property Trustee, upon the occurrence of a Trust
Enforcement Event, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in
it by this Trust Agreement in the manner provided by Section 3.9(a);
(vii) the Property Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation
into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but
the Property Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or
investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit;
(viii) the Property Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers
hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through
agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys and the Property Trustee shall not be
responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or
attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(ix) any action taken by the Property Trustee or its agents hereunder shall
bind the Trust and the Holders of the Securities, and the signature of the
Property Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to
perform any such action and no third party shall be required to inquire as to
the authority of the Property Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any
of the terms and provisions of this Trust Agreement, both of which shall be
conclusively evidenced by the Property Trustee's or its agent's taking such
action;
(x) whenever in the administration of this Trust Agreement the Property
Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to
enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Property
Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of the Securities which
instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same proportion in
liquidation amount of the Securities as would been entitled to direct the
Property Trustee under the terms of the Securities in respect of such remedy,
right or action, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking
such other action until such instructions are
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received, and (iii) shall be protected in conclusively relying on or acting in
or accordance with such instructions;
(xi) except as otherwise expressly provided by this Trust Agreement,
the Property Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that
is discretionary under the provisions of this Trust Agreement;
(xii) the Property Trustee shall not be personally liable for the
payment of any indebtedness or expenses of the Trust or be liable for the breach
or failure of any obligation, representation, warranty or covenant made or
undertaken by the Trust under this Trust Agreement, except if such breach or
failure is due to any gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Delaware
Trustee.;
(xiii) without prejudice to any other rights available to the Property
Trustee under applicable law, when the Property Trustee incurs expenses or
renders services in connection with a bankruptcy, such expenses (including the
fees and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for such services are
intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law or
law relating to creditors rights generally;
(xiv) the Property Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of a
Trust Enforcement Event unless a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee
obtains actual knowledge of such event or the Property Trustee receives written
notice of such event from Holders holding more than a Majority in Liquidation
Amount of the Preferred Securities; and
(b) No provision of this Trust Agreement shall be deemed to impose any duty
or obligation on the Property Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any
right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any jurisdiction
in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Property Trustee shall be
unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any
such act or acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No
permissive power or authority available to the Property Trustee shall be
construed to be a duty.
SECTION 3.11 Delaware Trustee.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Trust Agreement other than
Section 6.2, the Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any powers,
nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities of
the Administrative Trustees or the Property Trustee described in this Trust
Agreement. Except as set forth in Section 6.2, the Delaware Trustee shall be a
Trustee for the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of
Section 3807(a) of the Business Trust Act. In the event the Delaware Trustee
shall at any time be required to take any action or perform any duty hereunder
with respect to the Trust, the Delaware Trustee shall be entitled to all of the
same rights as the Property Trustee listed in Section 3.9(b) and Section 3.10.
No implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Trust Agreement
against the Delaware Trustee. It is expressly understood and agreed by the
parties hereto that in fulfilling its obligations as Delaware Trustee hereunder
on behalf of the Trust (i) any agreements or instruments executed and delivered
by Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware are executed and delivered not in its
individual capacity but solely as Delaware Trustee under this Trust
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Agreement in the exercise of the powers and authority conferred and vested in
it, (ii) each of the representations, undertakings and agreements herein made on
the part of the Trust is made and intended not as representations, warranties,
covenants, undertakings and agreements by Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware in its
individual capacity but is made and intended for the purpose of binding only the
Trust, and (iii) under no circumstances shall Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware in
its individual capacity be personally liable for the payment of any indebtedness
or expenses of the Trust or be liable for the breach or failure of any
obligation, representation, warranty or covenant made or undertaken by the Trust
under this Trust Agreement, except if such breach or failure is due to any gross
negligence or willful misconduct of the Delaware Trustee.
SECTION 3.12 Execution of Documents.
Unless otherwise determined by the Administrative Trustees, and except as
otherwise required by the Business Trust Act or applicable law, any
Administrative Trustee is authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any
documents that the Administrative Trustees have the power and authority to
execute pursuant to Section 3.6; provided that, the registration statements
referred to in Section 3.6(b)(ii), including any amendments thereto, shall be
signed by or on behalf of a majority of the Administrative Trustees.
SECTION 3.13 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained in this Trust Agreement and the Securities shall be
taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustees do not assume any
responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees make no representations as to
the value or condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof. The
Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Trust
Agreement, the Securities, the Debentures or the Indenture.
SECTION 3.14 Duration of Trust.
The Trust shall exist until terminated pursuant to the provisions of
Article 8 hereof.
SECTION 3.15 Mergers.
(a) The Trust may not consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be
replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any Person, except as described in Section
3.15(b) and (c) or Section 8.2.
(b) The Trust may, at the request of the Sponsor and with the consent of
the Administrative Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the
Administrative Trustees and without the consent of the Holders of the
Securities, the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee, consolidate,
amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by or convey, transfer or lease
its properties substantially as an entirety to a trust organized as such under
the laws of any State; provided, that:
(i) if the Trust is not the successor, such successor entity (the
"Successor Entity") either:
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a. expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust with respect to the
Securities; or
b. substitutes for the Preferred Securities other securities having
substantially the same terms as the Preferred Securities (the "Successor
Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank the same as the Preferred
Securities rank in priority with respect to Distributions and payments upon
liquidation, redemption and otherwise;
(ii) if the Trust is not the successor Entity, the Sponsor expressly
appoints a trustee of such Successor Entity that possesses the same powers and
duties as the Property Trustee as the holder of the Debentures;
(iii) the Preferred Securities or any Successor Securities are listed, or
any Successor Securities will be listed upon notification of issuance, on any
national securities exchange or with any other or organization on which the
Preferred Securities are then listed or quoted;
(iv) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance,
transfer or lease does not cause the Preferred Securities (including any
Successor Securities) to be downgraded by any nationally recognized statistical
rating organization;
(v) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance,
transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and
privileges of the Holders of the Preferred Securities (including any Successor
Securities) in any material respect;
(vi) such Successor Entity has a purpose substantially identical to that of
the Trust;
(vii) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease the Sponsor has received an opinion of independent
counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect that:
a. such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer
or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the
Holders of the Preferred Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any
material respect;
b. following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance,
transfer or lease neither the Trust nor the Successor Entity will be required to
register as an Investment Company; and
c. following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Trust
(or the Successor Entity) will continue to be classified as a grantor trust for
United States federal income tax purposes;
(viii) the Sponsor or any permitted successor or assignee owns all of the
common securities and guarantees the obligations of such Successor Entity under
the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the Guarantee; and
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(ix) such Successor Entity expressly assumes all of the obligations of
the Trust with respect to the Trustees.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 3.15(b), the Trust shall not, except with the
consent of Holders of 100% in aggregate liquidation amount of the Securities,
consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by or convey,
transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any
other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with
or into, or replace it, if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease would cause the Trust or Successor
Entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal
income tax purposes and each Holder of the Securities not to be treated as
owning an undivided interest in the Debentures.
SECTION 3.16 Property Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation,
bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other
similar judicial proceeding relative to the Trust or any other obligor upon the
Securities or the property of the Trust or of such other obligor or their
creditors, the Property Trustee (irrespective of whether any Distributions on
the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by
declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Property Trustee shall
have made any demand on the Trust for the payment of any past due Distributions)
shall be entitled and empowered, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by
intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of any Distributions
owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities (or, if the Securities are
original issue discount Securities, such portion of the liquidation amount as
may be specified in the terms of such Securities) and to file such other papers
or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the
Property Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Property Trustee, its agents and counsel) and
of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
(b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or
other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by
each Holder to make such payments to the Property Trustee and, in the event the
Property Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the
Holders, to pay to the Property Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Property Trustee, its
agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Property Trustee.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Property Trustee
to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan
of reorganization, arrangement adjustment or compensation affecting the
Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to
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authorize the Property Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in
any such proceeding.
ARTICLE 4
SPONSOR
SECTION 4.1 Responsibilities of the Sponsor.
In connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred Securities, the
Sponsor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to engage in the
following activities:
(a) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission under the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act one or more registration statements on the
applicable forms, including any amendments thereto, pertaining to the Preferred
Securities, the Guarantee and the Debentures;
(b) to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to qualify
or register for sale all or part of the Preferred Securities and to do any and
all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by the Trust, and advise
the Trust of actions it must take, and prepare for execution and filing any
documents to be executed and filed by the Trust, as the Sponsor deems necessary
or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such States;
(c) to prepare for filing by the Trust an application to the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc. or any other national stock exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market
for listing upon notice of issuance of any Preferred Securities, the Guarantee
and the Debentures; and
(d) to negotiate the terms of and to execute on behalf of the Trust an
underwriting agreement and other related agreements providing for the sale of
the Preferred Securities.
SECTION 4.2 Indemnification and Fees and Expenses of the Trustees.
The Sponsor, in its capacity as Debenture Issuer, agrees (a) to pay to the
Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee from time to time such compensation as
shall be agreed in writing with the Sponsor for all services rendered by them
hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in
regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(b) to reimburse the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee upon request
for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by such
Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Trust Agreement (including the
reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of their
duly authorized agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or
advance as may be attributable to their negligence or bad faith; and to
indemnify the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee for, and to hold each of
them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without
negligence or bad faith on the part of the Property Trustee or the Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance
or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the
27
costs and expenses of defending either of them against any claim or liability in
connection with the exercise or performance of any of their respective powers or
duties hereunder; the provisions of this Section 4.2 shall survive the
resignation or removal of the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee or the
termination of this Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE 5
TRUST COMMON SECURITIES HOLDER
SECTION 5.1 Debenture Issuer's Purchase of Common Securities.
On the applicable Closing Date, the Debenture Issuer will purchase all of
the Common Securities issued by the Trust on such Closing Date, for an amount at
least equal to 3% of the capital of the Trust at such time, at the same time as
Preferred Securities are sold; PROVIDED that, if the Option set forth in Section
7.13(a) is exercised, then the Debenture Issuer will purchase such additional
Common Securities from the Trust on such second Closing Date such that it will
then hold at least 3% of the capital of the Trust.
The aggregate stated liquidation amount of Common Securities outstanding at
any time shall not be less than 3% of the capital of the Trust.
SECTION 5.2 Covenants of the Common Securities Holder.
For so long as the Preferred Securities remain outstanding, the Common
Securities Holder will covenant (i) to maintain, directly or indirectly, 100%
ownership of the Common Securities, (ii) to cause the Trust to remain a
statutory business trust and not to voluntarily dissolve, wind up, liquidate or
be terminated, except as permitted by this Trust Agreement, (iii) to use its
commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the Trust will not be an
investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, and (iv) to take
no action which would be reasonably likely to cause the Trust to be classified
as an association or a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for
United States federal income tax purposes.
ARTICLE 6
TRUSTEES
SECTION 6.1 Number of Trustees.
The number of Trustees initially shall be five, and:
(a) at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the Sponsor may, by
written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees; and
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(b) after the issuance of any Securities, the number of Trustees may be
increased or decreased by vote of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation
Amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of
the Common Securities or by written consent in lieu of such meeting; provided
that the number of Trustees shall be at least three; and provided further that
(i) the Delaware Trustee, in the case of a natural person, shall be a person who
is a resident of the State of Delaware or that, if not a natural person, is an
entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and
otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law; (ii) at least one
Administrative Trustee is an employee or officer of, or is affiliated with, the
Sponsor; and (iii) one Trustee shall be the Property Trustee for so long as this
Trust Agreement is required to qualify as an indenture under the Trust Indenture
Act, and such Trustee may also serve as Delaware Trustee if it meets the
applicable requirements.
SECTION 6.2 Delaware Trustee; Eligibility.
If required by the Business Trust Act, one Trustee (which may be the
Property Trustee) (the "Delaware Trustee") shall be:
(a) a natural person who is a resident of the State of Delaware; or
(b) if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal place of
business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of
applicable law, provided that, if the Property Trustee has its principal place
of business in the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of
applicable law, then the Property Trustee shall also be the Delaware Trustee and
Section 3.11 shall have no application.
SECTION 6.3 Property Trustee; Eligibility.
(a) There shall at all times be one Trustee (which may be the Delaware
Trustee) which shall act as Property Trustee which shall:
(i) not be an Affiliate of the Sponsor; and
(ii) be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of
the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the
District of Columbia, or a corporation or other Person permitted by the
Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture Act,
authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust owners, having a combined
capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and
subject to supervision or examination by federal, State, Territorial or District
of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at
least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or
examining authority referred to above, then for the purposes of this Section
6.3(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed
to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of
condition so published.
29
(b) If at any time the Property Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so
act under Section 6.3(a), the Property Trustee shall immediately resign in the
manner and with the effect set forth in Section 6.6(c).
(c) If the Property Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest"
within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Property
Trustee and the Holder of the Common Securities (as if it were the obligor
referred to in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall in all respects
comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, subject
to the penultimate paragraph thereof.
(d) The Guarantee, the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of Dominion
Resources Capital Trust I dated as of December 8, 1997 among the Sponsor, The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as Property Trustee, Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware, as
Delaware Trustee and the Administrators named therein, and the Capital
Securities Guarantee Agreement dated as of December 8, 1997, between the Sponsor
and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Guarantee Trustee shall be deemed to be
specifically described in this Trust Agreement for purposes of clause (i) of the
first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 6.4 Qualifications of Administrative Trustees and Delaware Trustee
Generally.
Each Administrative Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (unless the Property
Trustee also acts as Delaware Trustee) shall be either a natural person who is
at least 21 years of age or a legal entity that shall act through one or more
Authorized Officers.
SECTION 6.5 Initial Administrative Trustees.
The initial Administrative Trustees shall be: __________, ___________ and
__________, the business address of all of whom is c/o Dominion Resources, Inc.,
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000.
SECTION 6.6 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees.
(a) Subject to Section 6.6(b), Trustees may be appointed or removed without
cause at any time:
(i) until the issuance of any Securities, by written instrument
executed by the Sponsor;
(ii) after the issuance of any Securities (but prior to the occurrence
of an Indenture Event of Default), by vote of the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of
the Holders of the Common Securities; and;
(iii) after the issuance of the Preferred Securities and the occurrence
of an Indenture Event of Default, by vote of the Holders of a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities; provided, however, that the
Administrative Trustees may still be appointed or
30
removed without cause in such circumstance, by vote of the Holders of a Majority
in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of
the Holders of the Common Securities; and;
(b) The Trustee that acts as Property Trustee shall not be removed in
accordance with Section 6.6(a) until a successor Trustee possessing the
qualifications to act as Property Trustee under Section 6.3(a) (a "Successor
Property Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by
written instrument executed by such Successor Property Trustee and delivered to
the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor. The Trustee that acts as Delaware
Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 6.6(a) until a successor
Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Delaware Trustee under Sections
6.2 and 6.4 (a "Successor Delaware Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted
such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Delaware
Trustee and delivered to the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor.
(c) A Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until his or its
successor shall have been appointed, until his death or its dissolution or until
his or its removal or resignation. Any Trustee may resign from office (without
need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing signed by
the Trustee and delivered to the Sponsor and the Trust, which resignation shall
take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein;
provided, however, that:
(i) No such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Property
Trustee shall be effective:
a. until a Successor Property Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such
appointment by instrument executed by such Successor Property Trustee and
delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the resigning Property Trustee; or
b. until the assets of the Trust have been completely liquidated and the
proceeds thereof distributed to the holders of the Securities; and
(ii) no such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Delaware
Trustee shall be effective until a Successor Delaware Trustee has been appointed
and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such Successor
Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the resigning
Delaware Trustee.
(d) The Holders of the Common Securities shall use their best efforts to
promptly appoint a Successor Delaware Trustee or Successor Property Trustee, as
the case may be, if the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee delivers an
instrument of resignation in accordance with this Section 6.6.
(e) If no Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee, as the
case may be, shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in
this Section 6.6 within 60 days after delivery to the Sponsor and the Trust of
an instrument of resignation or removal, the resigning or removed Property
Trustee or Delaware Trustee, as applicable, may petition any
31
court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Property Trustee
or Successor Delaware Trustee, as applicable. Such court may thereupon, after
prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor
Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee, as the case may be.
(f) No Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee shall be liable for the acts or
omissions to act of any Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be.
SECTION 6.7 Vacancies among Trustees.
If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of
Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 6.1, or if the number of Trustees is
increased pursuant to Section 6.1, a vacancy shall occur. A resolution
certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Administrative Trustees or, if
there are more than two, a majority of the Administrative Trustees shall be
conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The vacancy shall be
filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 6.6.
SECTION 6.8 Effect of Vacancies.
The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, dissolution,
liquidation, incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of a Trustee shall
not operate to annul, dissolve or terminate the Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the
number of Administrative Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by
the appointment of an Administrative Trustee in accordance with Section 6.6, the
Administrative Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all
the powers granted to the Administrative Trustees and shall discharge all the
duties imposed upon the Administrative Trustees by this Trust Agreement.
SECTION 6.9 Meetings.
If there is more than one Administrative Trustee, meetings of the
Administrative Trustees shall be held from time to time upon the call of any
Administrative Trustee. Regular meetings of the Administrative Trustees may be
held at a time and place fixed by resolution of the Administrative Trustees.
Notice of any in-person meetings of the Administrative Trustees shall be hand
delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard
copy by overnight courier) not less than 48 hours before such meeting. Notice of
any telephonic meetings of the Administrative Trustees shall be hand delivered
or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by
overnight courier) not less than 24 hours before a meeting. Notices shall
contain a brief statement of the time, place and anticipated purposes of the
meeting. The presence (whether in person or by telephone) of an Administrative
Trustee at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except
where an Administrative Trustee attends a meeting for the express purpose of
objecting to the transaction of any activity on the ground that the meeting has
not been lawfully called or convened. Unless provided otherwise in this Trust
Agreement, any action of the Administrative Trustees may be taken at a meeting
by vote of a majority of the Administrative Trustees present (whether in person
or by telephone) and eligible to vote with respect to such matter, provided that
a Quorum is present, or without a meeting by the unanimous written consent of
the Administrative Trustees. In the event
32
there is only one Administrative Trustee, any and all action of such
Administrative Trustee shall be evidenced by a written consent of such
Administrative Trustee.
SECTION 6.10 Delegation of Power.
(a) Any Administrative Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with
applicable law, delegate to any natural person over the age of 21 his, her or
its power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section
3.6, including any registration statement or amendment thereto filed with the
Commission, or making any other governmental filing.
(b) The Administrative Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to
time to such of their number or to officers of the Trust the doing of such
things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or
the names of the Administrative Trustees or otherwise as the Administrative
Trustees may deem expedient, to the extent such delegation is not prohibited by
applicable law or contrary to the provisions of the Trust, as set forth herein.
SECTION 6.11 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or
any Administrative Trustee that is not a natural person may be merged or
converted or with such Trustee may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Trustee shall be a
party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate
trust business of such Trustee shall be the successor of such Trustee hereunder,
provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this
Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the
part of any of the parties hereto.
ARTICLE 7
TERMS OF SECURITIES
SECTION 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities.
(a) The Administrative Trustees shall on behalf of the Trust shall issue
one class of preferred securities representing undivided beneficial ownership
interests in the assets of the Trust and one class of common securities
representing undivided beneficial ownership interests in the assets of the
Trust.
(i) Preferred Securities. The Preferred Securities of the Trust have
an aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of
__________________________________ dollars ($__________________________) with
respect to the initial closing of the sale of Preferred Securities [and, if the
Option set forth in Section 7.13(a) is exercised, an additional aggregate
liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of __________ dollars
($__________) with respect to the second closing of the sale of Preferred
Securities; PROVIDED that the maximum aggregate liquidation amount of Preferred
Securities of the Trust shall not exceed ____________ dollars ($_________).] The
33
Preferred Securities are hereby designated for identification purposes only as
"_____% Preferred Securities" (the "Preferred Securities"). The Preferred
Security Certificates evidencing the Preferred Securities shall be substantially
in the form of Exhibit A to this Trust Agreement, with such changes and
additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage,
custom or practice or to conform to the rules of any stock exchange on which the
Preferred Securities are listed or quoted subject to [Section 7.13(b).]
(ii) Common Securities. The Common Securities of the Trust shall have
an aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of
____________________________ dollars ($_______________) with respect to the
initial closing of the sale of Common Securities [and, if the Option set forth
in Section 7.13(a) is exercised, an additional aggregate liquidation amount with
respect to the assets of the Trust of __________ dollars ($__________)] with
respect to the second closing of the sale of Common Securities; PROVIDED that
the maximum aggregate liquidation amount of common securities issued by the
Trust shall not exceed __________ dollars ($___________). The Common Securities
are hereby designated for identification purposes only as "____% Common
Securities" (the "Common Securities" and, together with the Preferred
Securities, the "Securities"). The Common Security Certificates evidencing the
Common Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B to this Trust
Agreement, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may
be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice subject to [section 7.13(b).]
(b) Payment of Distributions on, and payment of the Redemption Price upon a
redemption of, the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities, as
applicable, shall be made Pro Rata based on the liquidation amount of such
Preferred Securities and Common Securities; provided, however, that if on any
date on which amounts payable on distribution or redemption, an Indenture Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, no payment of any Distribution
on, or Redemption Price of, any of the Common Securities, and no other payment
on account of the redemption, liquidation or other acquisition of such Common
Securities, shall be made unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated and
unpaid Distributions on all of the outstanding Preferred Securities for all
Distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto, or, in the case of amounts
payable on redemption, the full amount of the Redemption Price for all of the
outstanding Preferred Securities then called for redemption, shall have been
made or provided for, and all funds available to the Property Trustee shall
first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all Distributions on, or the
Redemption Price of, the Preferred Securities then due and payable. The Trust
shall issue no securities or other interests in the assets of the Trust other
than the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities.
(c) The Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by an
Administrative Trustee. Such signature shall be the manual or facsimile
signature of any present or any future Administrative Trustee. In case an
Administrative Trustee of the Trust who shall have signed any of the
Certificates shall cease to be such an Administrative Trustee before the
Certificates so signed shall be delivered by the Trust, such Certificates
nevertheless may be delivered as though the person who signed such Certificates
had not ceased to be such an Administrative Trustee; and any Certificate may be
signed on behalf of the Trust by such persons who, at the actual date of
execution of such Certificate, shall be the Administrative Trustees of the
Trust, although at the date of the execution and delivery of the Trust Agreement
any such person was not such an
34
Administrative Trustee. Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or engraved
or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Trustees, as evidenced by their execution thereof, and may have
such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such
legends or endorsements as the Administrative Trustees may deem appropriate, or
as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation of any
stock exchange on which Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.
A Certificate representing Preferred Securities shall not be valid until
authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized officer of the Property
Trustee. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that such Certificate has
been authenticated under this Trust Agreement. The Preferred Security
Certificates shall be dated their date of authentication.
Upon a written order of the Trust signed by one Administrative Trustee, the
Property Trustee shall authenticate the Certificates representing Preferred
Securities for original issue. The aggregate number of Preferred Securities
outstanding at any time shall not exceed the liquidation amount set forth in
Section 7.1(a)(i).
The Property Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the
Trust to authenticate Certificates. An authenticating agent may authenticate
Certificates whenever the Property Trustee may do so. Each reference in this
Trust Agreement to authentication by the Property Trustee includes
authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as the
Property Trustee to deal with the Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Sponsor.
(d) The consideration received by the Trust for the issuance of the
Securities shall constitute a contribution to the capital of the Trust and shall
not constitute a loan to the Trust.
(e) Except to the extent set forth in Section 9.1(b), upon issuance of the
Securities as provided in this Trust Agreement, the Securities so issued shall
be deemed to be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable undivided
beneficial ownership interests in the assets of the Trust.
(f) Every Person, by virtue of having become a Holder or a Preferred
Security Beneficial Owner in accordance with the terms of this Trust Agreement,
shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and shall
be bound by, this Trust Agreement and the terms of the Securities, the
Guarantee, the Indenture and the Debentures.
(g) The holders of the Securities shall have no preemptive or similar
rights.
SECTION 7.2 Distributions.
(a) Holders of Securities shall be entitled to receive cumulative cash
Distributions at the rate per annum of __% of the stated liquidation amount of
$__ per Security. The amount of Distributions payable for any period shall be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of
distributions payable for any period shorter than a full quarterly distribution
period shall be computed on the basis of a 30-day month and for periods of less
than a month, the actual number of days elapsed per 30-day month. Subject to
Section 7.1(b), Distributions shall be made on the Preferred Securities and the
Common Securities on a Pro Rata
35
basis. Distributions on the Securities shall, from the date of original issue,
accrue and be cumulative and shall be payable [quarterly][semi-annually], in
arrears, on each __________ [, __________, _________] and _________, commencing
_________ __, ____, when, as and if available for payment, by the Property
Trustee, except as otherwise described below. Distributions are payable only to
the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the
Property Trustee and to the extent that the Trust has funds available for the
payment of such Distributions in the Property Account.
(b) Distributions not paid on the scheduled payment date will accumulate
and compound [quarterly][semi-annually] at the rate of __% per annum
("Compounded Distributions"). "Distributions" shall mean ordinary cumulative
distributions together with any Compounded Distributions.
(c) If and to the extent that the Debenture Issuer makes a payment of
interest, premium and/or principal on the Debentures held by the Property
Trustee (the amount of any such payment being a "Payment Amount"), the Property
Trustee shall and is directed, to the extent funds are available for that
purpose, to make a Pro Rata distribution of the Payment Amount to Holders,
subject to Section 7.1(b).
(d) Distributions on the Securities shall be payable to the Holders thereof
as they appear on the register of the Trust as of the close of business on the
relevant record dates. While the Preferred Securities are represented by one or
more Global Securities, the relevant record dates shall be the close of business
on the Business Day next preceding such Distribution payment date, unless a
different regular record date is established or provided for the corresponding
interest payment date on the Debentures. The relevant record dates for the
Common Securities shall be the same as for the Preferred Securities. If the
Preferred Securities shall not continue to remain represented by one or more
Global Securities, the relevant record dates for the Preferred Securities shall
be selected by the Administrative Trustees and shall be at least 16 days prior
to the relevant payment dates. At all times, the Distribution payment dates
shall correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures. Distributions
payable on any Securities that are not punctually paid on any Distribution
payment date, as a result of the Debenture Issuer having failed to make a
payment under the Debentures, shall cease to be payable to the Person in whose
name such Securities are registered on the relevant record date, and such
defaulted Distribution will instead be payable to the Person in whose name such
Securities are registered on the special record date or other specified date
determined with respect to the related interest payment date pursuant to the
Indenture. If any date on which Distributions are payable on the Securities is
not a Business Day, then payment of the Distribution payable on such date will
be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any
interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such
Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made
on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day, with the same force and
effect as if made on such payment date.
(e) In the event that there is any money or other property held by or for
the Trust that is not accounted for hereunder, such property shall be
distributed Pro Rata among the Holders of the Securities.
36
SECTION 7.3 Redemption of Securities.
(a) Upon the repayment or redemption, in whole or in part, of the
Debentures held by the Trust, whether at the stated maturity of the Debentures
or upon earlier redemption as provided in the Indenture, the proceeds from such
repayment or redemption shall be simultaneously applied Pro Rata (subject to
Section 7.1(b)) to redeem Securities having an aggregate liquidation amount
equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so repaid or redeemed
at the Redemption Price. Holders shall be given not less than 20 nor more than
60 days notice of such redemption in accordance with Section 7.4.
(b) On the date fixed for any distribution of Debentures, upon dissolution
of the Trust, (i) the Securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and
(ii) certificates representing Securities will be deemed to represent the
Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to the stated liquidation
amount of, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid
distributions on, such Securities until such certificates are presented to the
Sponsor or its agent for transfer or reissuance.
(c) Certificates called for redemption in whole must be surrendered to the
Paying Agent in order to receive payment of the Redemption Price.
SECTION 7.4 Redemption Procedures.
(a) Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of Debentures in
exchange for, the Securities (a "Redemption/Distribution Notice"), which notice
shall be irrevocable, will be given by the Trust by mail to each Holder of
Securities to be redeemed or exchanged not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days
before the date fixed for redemption or exchange thereof which, in the case of a
redemption, will be the date fixed for redemption of or the date of final
maturity of the Debentures. For purposes of the calculation of the date of
redemption or exchange and the dates on which notices are given pursuant to this
Section 7.4(a), a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be deemed to be given on
the day such notice is first mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to
Holders of Securities. Each Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be addressed to
the Holders of Securities at the address of each such Holder appearing in the
register of the Trust. No defect in the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the
mailing of either thereof with respect to any Holder shall affect the validity
of the redemption or exchange proceedings with respect to any other Holder.
(b) If fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be so redeemed, the
Common Securities and the Preferred Securities will be redeemed Pro Rata
(subject to Section 7.1(b)) and the Preferred Securities to be redeemed will be
redeemed as described in Section 7.4(c) below. The Trust may not redeem the
Securities in part unless all accumulated and unpaid Distributions to the date
of redemption have been paid in full on all Securities then outstanding. For all
purposes of this Trust Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, all
provisions relating to the redemption of Preferred Securities shall relate, in
the case of any Preferred Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to
the portion of the aggregate liquidation amount of Preferred Securities which
has been or is to be redeemed.
37
(c) Subject to the Trust's fulfillment of the notice requirements set forth
in Section 7.4(a) above, if Securities are to be redeemed, then (i) with respect
to Preferred Securities represented by one or more Global Securities, by 12:00
noon, New York City time, on the redemption date (provided that the Debenture
Issuer has paid the Property Trustee a sufficient amount of immediately
available funds in connection with the related redemption or maturity of the
Debentures), the Property Trustee will deposit irrevocably with the Depositary
or its nominee (or successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) funds sufficient to
pay the applicable Redemption Price with respect to the Preferred Securities and
will give the Depositary irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the
Redemption Price to the Holders of the Preferred Securities and (ii) with
respect to Securities not represented by one or more Global Securities (provided
that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Property Trustee a sufficient amount of
immediately available funds in connection with the related redemption or
maturity of the Debentures), the Paying Agent will pay the relevant Redemption
Price to the Holders of such Securities by check mailed to the address of the
relevant Holder appearing on the register of the Trust on the redemption date.
If any date fixed for redemption of Securities is not a Business Day, then
payment of the Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on the next
succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment
in respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day is in the next
succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding day
which is a Business Day. If payment of the Redemption Price in respect of any
Securities is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the Property
Trustee or by the Sponsor as guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee, Distributions
on such Securities will continue to accrue at the then applicable rate from the
original redemption date to the actual date of payment, in which case the actual
payment date will be considered the date fixed for redemption for purposes of
calculating the Redemption Price. For these purposes, the applicable Redemption
Price shall not include Distributions which are being paid to Holders who were
Holders on a relevant record date. If a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall
have been given and funds deposited or paid as required, then immediately prior
to the close of business on the date of such deposit or payment, Distributions
will cease to accrue on the Securities called for redemption and all rights of
Holders of such Securities so called for redemption will cease, except the right
of the Holders to receive the Redemption Price, but without interest on such
Redemption Price, and from and after the date fixed for redemption, such
Securities will cease to be outstanding.
Neither the Administrative Trustees nor the Trust shall be required to
register or cause to be registered the transfer of any Securities that have been
called for redemption, except in the case of any Securities being redeemed in
part, any portion thereof not to be redeemed.
(d) Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including, without
limitation, United States federal securities laws), the Debenture Issuer or its
subsidiaries may at any time and from time to time purchase outstanding
Preferred Securities by tender, in the open market or by private agreement.
SECTION 7.5 Voting Rights of Preferred Securities.
38
(a) Except as provided under Section 11.1 and this Article 7 and as
otherwise required by the Business Trust Act, the Trust Indenture Act and other
applicable law, the Holders of the Preferred Securities shall have no voting
rights.
(b) Subject to the requirement of the Property Trustee obtaining a tax
opinion in certain circumstances set forth in Section 7.5(d) below, the Holders
of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities voting
separately as a class have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Property Trustee, or
to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Property Trustee
under the Trust Agreement, including the right to direct the Property Trustee,
as Holder of the Debentures, to (i) exercise the remedies available to it under
the Indenture as a Holder of the Debentures; (ii) consent to any amendment or
modification of the Indenture or the Debentures where such consent shall be
required or (iii) waive any past default and its consequences that is waivable
under Section 6.6 of the Indenture; provided, however, that if an Indenture
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, then the Holders of 25% of the
aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities may direct the Property
Trustee to declare the principal of and interest on the Debentures due and
payable; provided, further, that where a consent or action under the Indenture
would require the consent or act of the Holders of more than a majority of the
aggregate principal amount of Debentures affected thereby, only the Holders of
the percentage of the aggregate stated liquidation amount of the Preferred
Securities which is at least equal to the percentage required under the
Indenture may direct the Property Trustee to give such consent to take such
action provided, further, that (subject to the provisions of Section 3.9) the
Property Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if
the Property Trustee shall determine that the action so directed would be
unjustly prejudicial to the Holders of Preferred Securities not taking part in
such direction or if the Property Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines
that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the
Property Trustee, in good faith, by its board of directors or trustees,
executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or trustees, and/or
Responsible Officers, shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed
would involve the Property Trustee in personal liability.
(c) If the Property Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the
Debentures after a Holder of Preferred Securities has made a written request,
such Holder of Preferred Securities may, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, institute a legal proceeding directly against the Debenture Issuer to
enforce the Property Trustee's rights under the Indenture without first
instituting any legal proceeding against the Property Trustee or any other
Person. In addition, if a Trust Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing
and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to make
any interest, principal or other required payments when due under the Indenture,
then a Holder of Preferred Securities may directly institute a Direct Action
against the Debenture Issuer on or after the respective due date specified in
the Debentures.
(d) Subject to section 2.7 the Property Trustee shall notify all Holders of
the Preferred Securities of any notice of any Indenture Event of Default
received from the Debenture Issuer with respect to the Debentures. Such notice
shall state that such Indenture Event of Default also constitutes a Trust
Enforcement Event. Except with respect to directing the time, method, and place
of conducting a proceeding for a remedy, the Property Trustee shall be under no
obligation to take any of the actions described in clause 7.5(b)(i) and (ii)
above unless the Property Trustee
39
has obtained an opinion of independent tax counsel to the effect that the Trust
will not fail to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal
income tax purposes as a result of such action, and each Holder will be treated
as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the Debentures.
(e) In the event the consent of the Property Trustee, as the Holder of the
Debentures, is required under the Indenture with respect to any amendment or
modification of the Indenture, the Property Trustee shall request the direction
of the Holders of the Securities with respect to such amendment or modification
and shall vote with respect to such amendment or modification as directed by not
less than a majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together as
a single class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture
would require the consent of the Holders of more than a majority of the
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures, the Property Trustee may only give
such consent at the direction of the Holders of at least the same proportion in
aggregate stated liquidation amount of the Securities. The Property Trustee
shall not take any such action in accordance with the directions of the Holders
of the Securities unless the Property Trustee has obtained an opinion of
independent tax counsel to the effect that the Trust will not be classified as
other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes as a
result of such action, and each Holder will be treated as owning an undivided
beneficial ownership interest in the Debentures.
(f) A waiver of an Indenture Event of Default with respect to the
Debentures will constitute a waiver of the corresponding Trust Enforcement
Event.
(g) Any required approval or direction of Holders of Preferred Securities
may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Preferred Securities convened
for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities or pursuant
to written consent. The Administrative Trustees will cause a notice of any
meeting at which Holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to vote to be
mailed to each Holder of record of Preferred Securities. Each such notice will
include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting, (ii) a
description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on which
such Holders are entitled to vote and (iii) instructions for the delivery of
proxies.
(h) No vote or consent of the Holders of Preferred Securities shall be
required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Preferred Securities or distribute
Debentures in accordance with this Trust Agreement and the terms of the
Securities.
(i) Notwithstanding that Holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to
vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the
Securities that are owned at such time by the Debenture Issuer, any
Administrative Trustee or any entity directly or indirectly controlled by, or
under direct or indirect common control with, the Debenture Issuer or any
Administrative Trustee, shall not be entitled to vote or consent and shall, for
purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if such Securities were not
outstanding; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that persons otherwise eligible to vote to whom
the Debenture Issuer or any of its subsidiaries have pledged Preferred
Securities may vote or consent with respect to such pledged Preferred Securities
under any of the circumstances described herein.
40
(j) Subject to Sections 6.6(a) and 7.5(k), Holders of the Preferred
Securities shall have no rights to appoint or remove the Trustees, who may be
appointed, removed or replaced solely by the Common Securities Holder.
(k) Subject to the rights of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidated Amount
of the Common Securities to appoint or remove Administrative Trustees as
provided in Section 6.6(a)(iii), an Indenture Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing, the Trustees may be removed at such time only by a Majority in
Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities.
SECTION 7.6 Voting Rights of Common Securities.
(a) Except as provided under Section 6.1(b), this Section 7.6 or Section
11.1 or as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act, the Trust Indenture Act
or other applicable law or provided by the Trust Agreement, the Holders of the
Common Securities will have no voting rights.
(b) Subject to Sections 6.6(a) and 7.5(k), the Holders of the Common
Securities shall be entitled, in accordance with Article 6 of this Trust
Agreement, to vote to appoint, remove or replace any Trustee or to increase or
decrease the number of Trustees.
(c) Subject to Section 2.6 and only after all Trust Enforcement Events with
respect to the Preferred Securities have been cured, waived, or otherwise
eliminated and subject to the requirement of the Property Trustee obtaining a
tax opinion in certain circumstances set forth in this paragraph (c), the
Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities have the
right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the Property Trustee, or direct the exercise of any trust or
power conferred upon the Property Trustee under this Trust Agreement, including
the right to direct the Property Trustee, as Holder of the Debentures, to (i)
exercise the remedies available to it under the Indenture as a Holder of the
Debentures, (ii) consent to any amendment or modification of the Indenture or
the Debentures where such consent shall be required or (iii) waive any past
default and its consequences that is waivable under Section 6.6 of the
Indenture; provided, however, that where a consent or action under the Indenture
would require the consent or act of the Holders of more than a majority of the
aggregate principal amount of Debentures affected thereby, only the Holders of
the percentage of the aggregate stated liquidation amount of the Common
Securities which is at least equal to the percentage required under the
Indenture may direct the Property Trustee to have such consent or take such
action, provided, further, that (subject to the provisions of Section 3.9) the
Property Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if
the Property Trustee shall determine that the action so directed would be
unjustly prejudicial to the Holders of Common Securities not taking part in such
direction or if the Property Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that
the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the
Property Trustee, in good faith, by its board of directors or trustees,
executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or trustees, and/or
Responsible officers, shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed
would involve the Property Trustee in personal liability.. Except with respect
to directing the time, method, and place of conducting a proceeding for a
remedy, the Property Trustee shall be under no obligation to take any of the
actions described in clause 7.6(c)(i) and (ii) above unless the Property Trustee
has obtained an
41
opinion of independent tax counsel to the effect that, as a result of such
action, for United States federal income tax purposes the Trust will not fail to
be classified as a grantor trust and [each Holder will be treated as owning an
undivided beneficial ownership interest in the Debentures.]
(d) If the Property Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the
Debentures after a Holder of Common Securities has made a written request, such
Holder of Common Securities may, to the extent permitted by applicable law,
directly institute a legal proceeding directly against the Debenture Issuer to
enforce the Property Trustee's rights under the Debentures without first
instituting any legal proceeding against the Property Trustee or any other
Person.
(e) A waiver of an Indenture Event of Default with respect to the
Debentures will constitute a waiver of the corresponding Trust Enforcement
Event.
(f) Any required approval or direction of Holders of Common Securities may
be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Common Securities convened for such
purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities or pursuant to written
consent. The Administrative Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at which
Holders of Common Securities are entitled to vote to be mailed to each Holder of
record of Common Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting
forth (i) the date of such meeting, (ii) a description of any resolution
proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote
and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies.
(g) No vote or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities will be
required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Common Securities or to distribute
Debentures in accordance with the Trust Agreement and the terms of the
Securities.
SECTION 7.7 Paying Agent.
[(Compare to 3.8(h)) The Trust shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan,
City of New York, State of New York, an office or agency where the Preferred
Securities may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent"). The Trust may appoint
the paying agent and may appoint one or more additional paying agents in such
other locations as it shall determine. The term "Paying Agent" includes any
additional paying agent. The Trust may change any Paying Agent without prior
notice to the Holders. The Trust shall notify the Property Trustee of the name
and address of any Paying Agent not a party to this Trust Agreement. If the
Trust fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Paying Agent, the Property
Trustee shall act as such. The Trust or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying
Agent. The Property Trustee shall initially act as Paying Agent for the
Securities. In the event the Property Trustee shall no longer be the Paying
Agent, the Administrative Trustees shall appoint a successor (which shall be a
bank or trust company acceptable to the Debenture Issuer) to act as Paying
Agent. The Paying Agent shall be permitted to resign as Paying Agent upon 30
days' written notice to the Property Trustee and the Debenture Issuer.]
[SECTION 7.8 Listing
42
[The Sponsor shall use its best efforts to cause the Preferred Securities
to be listed for quotation on the New York Stock Exchange.]
SECTION 7.9 Transfer of Securities.
(a) Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance
with the terms and conditions set forth in this Trust Agreement and in the terms
of the Securities. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any transfer or
purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance with this Trust
Agreement shall be null and void.
(b) (i) Subject to this Article 7, Preferred Securities shall be freely
transferable.
(ii) The Holder of the Common Securities may not transfer the Common
Securities except (A) in compliance with a consolidation, merger, sale,
conveyance or lease of the Sponsor in compliance with Article XI of the
Indenture or (B) to the Sponsor or an Affiliate thereof in compliance with
applicable law, including the Securities Act and applicable state securities and
blue sky laws. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any attempted transfer of
the Common Securities other than as set forth in the immediately preceding
sentence shall be null and void.
(c) The Trust shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Property Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office being herein
sometimes referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject to such
reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Trust shall provide for the
registration of Preferred Securities and of transfers of Preferred Securities.
The Property Trustee is hereby appointed "Security Registrar" for the purpose of
registering Preferred Securities and transfers of Preferred Securities as herein
provided.
(d) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security at an
office or agency of the Trust designated for such purpose, the Trust shall
execute, and in the case of Preferred Securities the Property Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or
transferees, one or more new Securities of any authorized denominations and of a
like aggregate principal amount.
(e) At the option of the Holder, Securities may be exchanged for other
Securities of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal
amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or
agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Trust shall
execute, and in the case of Preferred Securities the Property Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is
entitled to receive.
(f) Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or
for exchange shall (if so required by the Trust or the Property Trustee) be duly
endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Trust and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the
Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
(g) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Securities, but the Trust may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other
43
governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of
transfer or exchange of Securities.
(h) If the Securities are to be redeemed in part, the Trust shall not be
required (A) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities
during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of
the mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Securities selected for
redemption under Section 7.4 and ending at the close of business on the day of
such mailing, or (B) to register the transfer or exchange of any Security so
selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of
any Security being redeemed in part.
SECTION 7.10 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.
If:
(a) any mutilated Certificates should be surrendered to the Administrative
Trustees or the Property Trustee, or if the Administrative Trustees and the
Property Trustee shall receive evidence to their satisfaction of the
destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate; and
(b) there shall be delivered to the Administrative Trustees and the
Property Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to keep
each of the Trustees, the Sponsor and the Trust harmless, then, in the absence
of notice that such Certificate shall have been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser, any Administrative Trustee on behalf of the Trust shall execute and
deliver and, with respect to Preferred Securities Certificates, the Property
Trustee shall authenticate, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Certificate, a new Certificate of like denomination.
In connection with the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 7.10,
the Administrative Trustees may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
therewith. Any duplicate Certificate issued pursuant to this Section shall
constitute conclusive evidence of an ownership interest in the relevant
Securities, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or
destroyed Certificate shall be found at any time. The provisions of this Section
are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and
remedies with respect to the replacement of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
Certificates.
SECTION 7.11 Deemed Security Holders.
The Trustees may treat the Person in whose name any Certificate shall be
registered on the register of the Trust as the sole holder of such Certificate
and of the Securities represented by such Certificate for purposes of receiving
Distributions subject to Section 7.2(d) and for all other purposes whatsoever
and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim
to or interest in such Certificate or in the Securities represented by such
Certificate on the part of any Person, whether or not the Trust shall have
actual or other notice thereof.
SECTION 7.12 Global Securities.
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The Preferred Securities may be issued in the form of one or more Global
Securities. If the Preferred Securities are to be issued in the form of one or
more Global Securities, then an Administrative Trustee on behalf of the Trust
shall execute and the Property Trustee shall authenticate and deliver one or
more Global Securities that (i) shall represent and shall be denominated in an
amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of all of the Preferred
Securities to be issued in the form of Global Securities and not yet cancelled,
(ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security
or the nominee of such Depositary, and (iii) shall be delivered by the Property
Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary's instructions. Global
Securities shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:
"This Preferred Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the
Trust Agreement hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of The
Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (the "Depositary"), or a
nominee of the Depositary. This Preferred Security is exchangeable for Preferred
Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depositary or its
nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Trust Agreement and
no transfer of this Preferred Security (other than a transfer of this Preferred
Security as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a
nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the
Depositary) may be registered except in limited circumstances.
Unless this Preferred Security Certificate is presented by an authorized
representative of the Depositary to Dominion Resources Capital Trust __ or its
agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any Preferred
Security Certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such
other name as requested by an authorized representative of the Depositary (and
any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested
by an authorized representative of the Depositary), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR
OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch
as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein."
Preferred Securities not represented by a Global Security issued in
exchange for all or a part of a Global Security pursuant to this Section 7.12
shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the
Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or
otherwise, shall instruct the Property Trustee. Upon execution and
authentication, the Property Trustee shall deliver such Preferred Securities not
represented by a Global Security to the Persons in whose names such definitive
Preferred Securities are so registered.
At such time as all interests in Global Securities have been redeemed,
repurchased or cancelled, such Global Securities shall be, upon receipt thereof,
cancelled by the Property Trustee in accordance with standing procedures of
the Depositary. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any interest in
Global Securities is exchanged for Preferred Securities not represented by a
Global Security, redeemed, cancelled or transferred to a transferee who receives
Preferred Securities not represented by a Global Security therefor or any
Preferred Security not represented by a Global Security is exchanged or
transferred for part of Global Securities, the principal amount of such Global
Securities shall, in accordance with the standing procedures of
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the Depositary, be reduced or increased, as the case may be, and an endorsement
shall be made on such Global Securities by the Property Trustee to reflect such
reduction or increase.
The Trust and the Property Trustee may for all purposes, including the
making of payments due on the Preferred Securities, deal with the Depositary as
the authorized representative of the Holders for the purposes of exercising the
rights of Holders hereunder. The rights of the owner of any beneficial interest
in a Global Security shall be limited to those established by law and agreements
between such owners and depository participants provided, that no such agreement
shall give any rights to any Person against the Trust or the Property Trustee
without the written consent of the parties so affected. Multiple requests and
directions from and votes of the Depositary as holder of Preferred Securities in
global form with respect to any particular matter shall not be deemed
inconsistent to the extent they do not represent an amount of Preferred
Securities in excess of those held in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.
If at any time the Depositary for any Preferred Securities represented by
one or more Global Securities notifies the Trust that it is unwilling or unable
to continue as Depositary for such Preferred Securities or if at any time the
Depositary for such Preferred Securities shall no longer be eligible, the Trust
shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Preferred Securities.
If a successor Depositary for such Preferred Securities is not appointed by the
Trust within 90 days after the Trust receives such notice or becomes aware of
such ineligibility, the Trust's election that such Preferred Securities be
represented by one or more Global Securities shall no longer be effective and
the Trust shall execute, and the Property Trustee will authenticate and deliver,
Preferred Securities in definitive registered form, in any authorized
denominations, in an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the principal amount
of the Global Security or Preferred Securities representing such Preferred
Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Preferred Securities.
The Trust may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the
Preferred Securities issued in the form of one or more Global Securities shall
no longer be represented by a Global Security or Preferred Securities. In such
event the Trust shall execute, and the Property Trustee, shall authenticate and
deliver, Preferred Securities in definitive registered form, in any authorized
denominations, in an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the principal amount
of the Global Security or Preferred Securities representing such Preferred
Securities, in exchange for such Global Security or Preferred Securities.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Trust Agreement (other than
the provisions set forth in Section 7.9), Global Securities may not be
transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary
or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the
Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or
a nominee of such successor Depositary.
Subject to the third preceding paragraph, interests of beneficial owners in
a Global Security may be transferred or exchanged for Preferred Securities not
represented by a Global Security and Preferred Securities not represented by a
Global Security may be transferred or
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exchange for Global Securities in accordance with rules of the Depositary and
the provisions of Section 7.9.
[SECTION 7.13 Over-Allotment Option.
(a) The Administrative Trustees, on behalf of the Trust, and the Sponsor
may grant to the underwriters or initial purchasers who are underwriting or
purchasing, as the case may be, any series of Preferred Securities, an option
(the "Option") to purchase an additional liquidation amount of such series of
Preferred Securities on the terms and conditions specified in the underwriting
agreement or purchase agreement, as the case may be, relating to such Preferred
Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, the Option may only be granted if the following
conditions are satisfied:
(i) the Option, if exercised, may not result in the issue and sale of an
aggregate liquidation amount of Preferred Securities greater than that
registered by the Sponsor and the Trust on the applicable registration statement
or registration statements (including by a registration statement filed under
Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, if any), as the case may be, with the
Commission under the Securities Act;
(ii) the Option must result, if exercised, in the issuance and sale of
Preferred Securities to such underwriters or initial purchasers, as he case may
be, and the issuance and sale of Common Securities to the Sponsor on a Pro Rata
basis and not in contravention of any other provision of this Agreement or the
Business Trust Act, consistent with Section 5.1; and
(iii) the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities issued and sold
subject to the exercise of the Option, if any, must be of the same series and
must bear the same CUSIP numbers as the series of Preferred Securities and the
Common Securities,
respectively, which were initially issued and sold by the Trust and the
Sponsor, respectively.
(b) With respect to any issuance of Preferred Securities and Common
Securities following the exercise of the Option,
(i) the designation the "__% Preferred Securities" and, for all purposes
under this Trust Agreement, the defined terms the "Preferred Securities" shall
mean both the Preferred Securities issued initially hereunder and any Preferred
Securities issued pursuant to the exercise of the Option; and
(ii) the designation the "__% Common Securities" and, for all purposes
under this Trust Agreement, the defined term the "Common Securities" shall mean
both the Common Securities issued initially hereunder and any Common Securities
issued pursuant to the requirement of Section 7.13(a)(ii) regarding the
additional issuance of Common Securities on a Pro Rata basis if the Option is
exercised.
47
(c) If the Option set forth in Section 7.13(a) is exercised on a date other
than the initial Closing Date, then the parties to the Trust Agreement shall
cause there to occur a second closing for the consummation of the sale of the
Preferred Securities and Common Securities under substantially the same
conditions that applied to the initial closing of the sale of such securities,
including the following:
(i) the execution and delivery of a second Preferred Security Certificate,
or such additional Preferred Security Certificates, as appropriate, which is, or
are, as the case may be, substantially identical in all respects to the
Preferred Security Certificate issued initially; and
(ii) the execution and delivery of a second Common Security Certificate, or
such additional Common Security Certificate, as appropriate, which is, or are,
as the case may be, substantially identical in all relevant respects to the
Common Security Certificate issued initially.]
Section 7.14 Cancellation.
All Certificates surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of
transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Property
Trustee, be delivered to the Property Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by
it. No Certificates shall be executed or authenticated in lieu of or in exchange
for any Certificates cancelled as provided in this Section, except as permitted
by this Trust Agreement. All cancelled Certificates held by the Property Trustee
shall be disposed of by it in accordance with its customary procedures.
ARTICLE 8
DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION OF TRUST
SECTION 8.1 Dissolution and Termination of Trust.
(a) The Trust shall dissolve upon the earliest of:
(i) the Bankruptcy Event of the Holder of the Common Securities or
the Sponsor;
(ii) the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent with
respect to the Sponsor; the dissolution of the Trust after obtaining the consent
of the Holders of at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Securities to
dissolve the Trust; or the revocation of the Sponsor's charter and the
expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without a reinstatement
thereof;
(iii) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Sponsor or
the Trust;
(iv) the time when all of the Securities shall have been called for
redemption and the amounts then due shall have been paid to the Holders in
accordance with the terms of the Securities;
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(v) at the Sponsor's election by notice and direction to the Property
Trustee to distribute the Debentures to the Holders of the Securities in
exchange for all of the Securities; PROVIDED that the Sponsor will be required
to obtain an opinion of an independent counsel that the distribution of the
Debentures will not be taxable to the Holders of the Preferred Securities for
United States federal income tax purposes; or
(vi) the time when all of the Administrative Trustees and the Sponsor
shall have consented to dissolution of the Trust provided such action is taken
before the issuance of any Securities.
(b) As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred to
in Section 8.1(a) and upon completion of the winding up and liquidation of the
Trust, the Trustees shall terminate the Trust by filing a certificate of
cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
(c) The provisions of Section 4.2 and Article 9 shall survive the
termination of the Trust.
SECTION 8.2 Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution of the Trust.
(a) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution,
or winding-up of the Trust (each a "Liquidation"), the Holders of the Securities
on the date of the Liquidation will be entitled to receive, out of the assets of
the Trust available for distribution to Holders of Securities after satisfaction
of the Trusts' liabilities to creditors, if any, distributions in cash or other
immediately available funds in an amount equal to the aggregate of the stated
liquidation amount of $__ per Security plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions
thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation
Distribution"), unless, in connection with such Liquidation, Debentures in an
aggregate stated principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation
amount of, with an interest rate identical to the distribution rate of, and
accrued and unpaid interest equal to accumulated and unpaid Distributions on,
such Securities shall be distributed on a Pro Rata basis to the Holders of the
Securities in exchange for such Securities.
(b) If, upon any such Liquidation, the Liquidation Distribution can be paid
only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full
the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the amounts payable directly by the
Trust on the Securities shall be paid on a Pro Rata basis. The Holders of the
Common Securities will be entitled to receive distributions upon any such
Liquidation Pro Rata with the Holders of the Preferred Securities except that if
an Indenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Preferred
Securities shall have a preference over the Common Securities with regard to
such distributions.
ARTICLE 9
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF
HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, DELAWARE TRUSTEES OR OTHERS
SECTION 9.1 Liability.
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(a) Except as expressly set forth in this Trust Agreement, the Guarantee
and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor:
(i) shall not be personally liable for the return of any portion of
the capital contributions (or any return thereon) of the Holders of the
Securities which shall be made solely from assets of the Trust; and
(ii) shall not be required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder of
Securities any deficit upon dissolution of the Trust or otherwise.
(b) Pursuant to Section 3803(a) of the Business Trust Act, the Holder of
the Common Securities shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal
liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; provided, however,
the Holders of the Common Securities shall be liable for all of the debts and
obligations of the Trust (other than with respect to the Securities) to the
extent not satisfied out of the Trust's assets.
(c) Pursuant to Section 3803(a) of the Business Trust Act, the Holders of
the Preferred Securities shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal
liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
SECTION 9.2 Exculpation.
(a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in
damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or
claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such
Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such
Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority
conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Trust Agreement or by law, except
that, subject to section 3.11, an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any
such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's
negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.
(b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith
upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports or
statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified
Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert
competence and who has if selected by such Indemnified Person, been selected by
such Indemnified Person with reasonable care on behalf of the Trust, including
information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the
assets, liabilities, profits, losses or any other facts pertinent to the
existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of Securities
might properly be paid.
SECTION 9.3 Fiduciary Duty.
(a) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified Person has
duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the
Trust or to any other Covered Person, an
50
Indemnified Person acting under this Trust Agreement shall not be liable to the
Trust or to another Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the provisions
of this Trust Agreement. The provisions of this Trust Agreement, to the extent
that they restrict the duties and liabilities of an Indemnified Person otherwise
existing at law or in equity (other than the duties imposed on the Property
Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act), are agreed by the parties hereto to
replace such other duties and liabilities of such Indemnified Person.
(b) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein:
(i) whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between any
Covered Person and any Indemnified Person; or
(ii) whenever this Trust Agreement or any other agreement contemplated
herein or therein provides that an Indemnified Person shall act in a manner that
is, or provides terms that are, fair and reasonable to the Trust or any Holder
of Securities,
the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action
or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each
party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or
situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary
or accepted industry practices and any applicable generally accepted accounting
practices or principles. In the absence of bad faith by the Indemnified Person,
the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by the Indemnified
Person shall not constitute a breach of this Trust Agreement or any other
agreement contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the Indemnified
Person at law or in equity or otherwise.
(c) Whenever in this Trust Agreement an Indemnified Person is permitted or
required to make a decision:
(i) in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar authority, the
Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as
it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to
give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Trust or any
other Person; or
(ii) in its "good faith" or under another express standard, the
Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be
subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Trust Agreement or by
applicable law.
SECTION 9.4 Indemnification.
(a)(i) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted
by law, any Debenture Issuer Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact
that he is or was a Debentures Issuer Indemnified Person against expenses
(including attorney fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a
51
manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any
action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a
plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a
presumption that the Debentures Issuer Indemnified Person did not act in good
faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
(ii) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by
law, any Debentures Issuer Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or
suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason of the fact that he is or was a Debentures Issuer Indemnified Person
against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by
him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Trust and except that no such
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such Debentures Issuer Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be
liable to the Trust unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of
Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine
upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all
the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses which such Court of Chancery or such other court
shall deem proper.
(iii) Any indemnification under paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section
9.4(a) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Debenture Issuer only as
authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the
Debentures Issuer Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances because he
has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii).
Such determination shall be made (1) by the Administrative Trustees by a
majority vote of a quorum consisting of such Administrative Trustees who were
not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, (2) if such a quorum is not
obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Administrative
Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3)
by the Holders of the Common Securities of the Trust.
(iv) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by a Debentures Issuer
Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii)
of this Section 9.4(a) shall be paid by the Debenture Issuer in advance of the
final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of such Junior Subordinated Debt- Securities Issuer
Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined
that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Debenture Issuer as authorized
in this Section 9.4(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made
by the Debenture Issuer if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i)
by the Administrative Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested
Administrative Trustees, (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if
obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Administrative Trustees so directs, by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iii) the Common Security
Holder of the Trust,
52
that, based upon the facts known to the Administrative Trustees, counsel or the
Common Security Holder at the time such determination is made, such Debentures
Issuer Indemnified Person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did
not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, or, with
respect to any criminal proceeding, that such Debentures Issuer Indemnified
Person believed or had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In
no event shall any advance be made in instances where the Administrative
Trustees, independent legal counsel or Common Security Holder reasonably
determine that such person deliberately breached his duty to the Trust or its
Common or Preferred Security Holders.
(v) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section 9.4(a) shall not be
deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification and
advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors of the Debenture Issuer or Preferred
Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to action in his official
capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. All
rights to indemnification under this Section 9.4(a) shall be deemed to be
provided by a contract between the Debenture Issuer and each Debentures Issuer
Indemnified Person who serves in such capacity at any time while this Section
9.4(a) is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this Section 9.4(a) shall not
affect any rights or obligations then existing.
(vi) The Debenture Issuer or the Trust may purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Debentures Issuer Indemnified
Person against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any
such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the
Debenture Issuer would have the power to indemnify him against such liability
under the provisions of this Section 9.4(a).
(vii) For purposes of this Section 9.4(a), references to "the Trust"
shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity, any constituent
entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation
or merger, so that any person who is or was a director, trustee, officer or
employee of such constituent entity, or is or was serving at the request of such
constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another
entity, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section
9.4(a) with respect to the resulting or surviving entity as he would have with
respect to such constituent entity if its separate existence had continued.
(viii) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, this Section 9.4(a) shall, unless otherwise provided when
authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a
Debentures Issuer Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the
heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. The obligation to
indemnify as set forth in this Section 9.4(a) shall survive the resignation or
removal of the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee or the termination of
this Trust Agreement.
(b) The Debenture Issuer agrees to indemnify the (i) Property Trustee, (ii)
the Delaware Trustee, (iii) any Affiliate of the Property Trustee or the
Delaware Trustee, and (iv) any officers, directors, shareholders, members,
partners, employees, representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the
Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee (each of the Persons in (i) through
(iv)
53
being referred to as a "Fiduciary Indemnified Person") for, and to hold
each Fiduciary Indemnified Person harmless against, any loss, liability or
expense incurred without gross negligence or willful misconduct on its part,
arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the
trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including
reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending itself against or investigating
any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of
its powers or duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this
Section 9.4(b) shall survive the resignation and removal of the Delaware Trustee
or the Property Trustee and the dissolution of the Trust and the termination of
this Trust Agreement. In addition, the Debenture Issuer has agreed in the
Indenture to pay the fees and expenses of the Delaware Trustee and the Property
Trustee.
SECTION 9.5 Outside Businesses.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.3, any Covered Person, the Sponsor,
the Delaware Trustee and the Property Trustee may engage in or possess an
interest in other business ventures of any nature or description, independently
or with others, similar or dissimilar to the activities of the Trust, and the
Trust and the Holders of Securities shall have no rights by virtue of this Trust
Agreement in and to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived
therefrom, and the pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the
activities of the Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper. No Covered
Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee shall be
obligated to present any particular investment or other opportunity to the Trust
even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Trust,
could be taken by the Trust, and any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware
Trustee and the Property Trustee shall have the right to take for its own
account (individually or as a partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others
any such particular investment or other opportunity. Any Covered Person, the
Delaware Trustee and the Property Trustee may engage or be interested in any
financial or other transaction with the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor,
or may act as depositary for, trustee or agent for, or act on any committee or
body of holders of, securities or other obligations of the Sponsor or its
Affiliates.
ARTICLE 10
ACCOUNTING
SECTION 10.1 Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year ("Fiscal Year") of the Trust shall be the calendar year, or
such other year as is required by the Code.
SECTION 10.2 Certain Accounting Matters.
(a) At all times during the existence of the Trust, the Administrative
Trustees shall keep, or cause to be kept, full books of account, records and
supporting documents, which shall reflect in reasonable detail, each transaction
of the Trust. The books of account shall be maintained on the accrual method of
accounting, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied. The Trust shall use the accrual method of accounting for
United States
54
federal income tax purposes. The books of account and the records of the Trust
shall be examined by and reported upon as of the end of each Fiscal Year of the
Trust by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected by the
Administrative Trustees.
(b) The Administrative Trustees shall cause to be prepared and delivered to
each of the Holders of Securities, within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal
Year of the Trust, annual financial statements of the Trust, including a balance
sheet of the Trust as of the end of such Fiscal Year, and the related statements
of income or loss.
(c) The Administrative Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and
delivered to each of the Holders of Securities, an annual United States federal
income tax information statement, required by the Code, containing such
information with regard to the Securities held by each Holder as is required by
the Code and the Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding any right under the Code
to deliver any such statement at a later date, the Administrative Trustees shall
endeavor to deliver all such statements within 30 days after the end of each
Fiscal Year of the Trust.
(d) The Administrative Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and filed
with the appropriate taxing authority, an annual United States federal income
tax return, on a Form 1041 or such other form required by United States federal
income tax law, and any other annual income tax returns required to be filed by
the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust with any state or local
taxing authority.
SECTION 10.3 Banking.
The Trust shall maintain one or more bank accounts in the name and for the
sole benefit of the Trust; provided, however, that all payments of funds in
respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee shall be made directly to
the Property Account and no other funds of the Trust shall be deposited in the
Property Account. The sole signatories for such accounts shall be designated by
the Administrative Trustees; provided, however, that the Property Trustee shall
designate the signatories for the Property Account.
SECTION 10.4 Withholding.
The Trust and the Administrative Trustees shall comply with all withholding
requirements under United States federal, state and local law. The Trust shall
request, and the Holders shall provide to the Trust, such forms or certificates
as are necessary to establish an exemption from withholding with respect to each
Holder, and any representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by
the Trust to assist it in determining the extent of, and in fulfilling, its
withholding obligations. The Administrative Trustees shall file required forms
with applicable jurisdictions and, unless an exemption from withholding is
properly established by a Holder, shall remit amounts withheld with respect to
the Holder to applicable jurisdictions. To the extent that the Trust is required
to withhold and pay over any amounts to any authority with respect to
distributions or allocations to any Holder, the amount withheld shall be deemed
to be a distribution in the amount of the withholding to the Holder. In the
event of any claimed over withholding, Holders shall be limited to an action
against the applicable jurisdiction. If the
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amount required to be withheld was not withheld from actual Distributions made,
the Trust may reduce subsequent Distributions by the amount of such withholding.
ARTICLE 11
AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS
SECTION 11.1 Amendments.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Trust Agreement or by any
applicable terms of the Securities, this Trust Agreement may only be amended by
a written instrument approved and executed by the Sponsor and (i) the
Administrative Trustees (or, if there are more than two Administrative Trustees,
a majority of the Administrative Trustees), (ii) the Property Trustee; and (iii)
the Delaware Trustee if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties,
obligations or immunities of the Delaware Trustee.
(b) No amendment shall be made, and any such purported amendment shall be
void and ineffective:
(i) unless, the Property Trustee shall have first received:
a. an Officers' Certificate from each of the Trust and the Sponsor
that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Trust
Agreement (including the terms of the Securities) and that all conditions
precedent to the execution and delivery of such amendment have been satisfied;
and
b. an opinion of counsel (who may be counsel to the Sponsor or the
Trust) that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this
Trust Agreement (including the terms of the Securities) and that all conditions
precedent to the execution and delivery of such amendment have been satisfied;
and
(ii) to the extent the result of such amendment would be to:
a. cause the Trust to be classified other than as a grantor trust
for United States federal income tax purposes;
b. reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the Property
Trustee in contravention of the Trust Indenture Act; or
c. cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment Company
required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.
(c) If the Trust has issued any Securities that remain outstanding:
56
(i) any amendment that would (a) change the amount or timing of any
distribution of the Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of any
distribution required to be made in respect of the Securities as of a specified
date or (b) restrict the right of a Holder of Securities to institute suit for
the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date, will entitle the
Holders of such Securities, voting together as a single class, to vote on such
amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective
except with the approval of each of the Holders of the Securities affected
thereby; and
(ii) any amendment that would (a) adversely affect the powers,
preferences or special rights of the Securities, whether by way of amendment to
this Trust Agreement or otherwise or (b) result in the dissolution, winding-up
or termination of the Trust other than pursuant to the terms of this Trust
Agreement, will entitle the holders of the Securities voting together as a
single class to vote on such amendment or proposal and such amendment or
proposal shall not be effective except with the approval of 66 2/3% of the
Securities affected thereby; provided that, if any amendment or proposal
referred to in clause (a) above would adversely affect only the Preferred
Securities or the Common Securities, then only the affected class will be
entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal.
(d) This Section 11.1 shall not be amended without the consent of all
of the Holders of the Securities.
(e) Article 4 shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders
of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Common Securities.
(f) The rights of the Holders of the Common Securities under Article
6 to increase or decrease the number of, and appoint and remove Trustees shall
not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation
Amount of the Common Securities.
(g) Notwithstanding Section 11.1(c), this Trust Agreement may be
amended without the consent of the Holders of the Securities, if such amendment
does not adversely affect in any material respect the rights of the holders of
the Securities, to:
(i) cure any ambiguity;
(ii) correct or supplement any provision in this Trust Agreement that
may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision of this Trust
Agreement or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions
arising under this Trust Agreement that shall not be inconsistent with the other
provisions of this Trust Agreement;
(iii) add to the covenants, restrictions or obligations of the Sponsor;
(iv) to conform to any change in Rule 3a-5 of the Investment Company
Act or written change in interpretation or application of Rule 3a-5 of the
Investment Company Act by any legislative body, court, government agency or
regulatory authority; or
57
(v) to modify, eliminate and add to any provision of this Trust
Agreement to ensure that the Trust will be classified as a grantor trust for
United States federal income tax purposes at all times that any Securities are
outstanding or to ensure that the Trust will not be required to register as an
Investment Company under the Investment Company Act.
(h) Neither the Property Trustee nor the Delaware Trustee shall be
required to sign any amendment that affects its rights, duties, obligations or
immunities under this Declaration or otherwise.
SECTION 11.2 Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written
Consent.
(a) Meetings of the Holders of any class of Securities may be called
at any time by the Administrative Trustees (or as provided in the terms of the
Securities) to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such class of
Securities are entitled to act under the terms of this Trust Agreement, the
terms of the Securities or the rules of any stock exchange on which the
Preferred Securities are listed or admitted for trading. The Administrative
Trustees shall call a meeting of the Holders of such class if directed to do so
by the Holders of at least 10% in Liquidation Amount of such class of
Securities. Such direction shall be given by delivering to the Administrative
Trustees one or more calls in a writing stating that the signing Holders of
Securities wish to call a meeting and indicating the general or specific purpose
for which the meeting is to be called. Any Holders of Securities calling a
meeting shall specify in writing the Certificates held by the Holders of
Securities exercising the right to call a meeting and only those Securities
specified shall be counted for purposes of determining whether the required
percentage set forth in the second sentence of this paragraph has been met.
(b) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the
Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders of
Securities:
(i) notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the
Holders of Securities having a right to vote thereat at least 7 days and not
more than 60 days before the date of such meeting. Whenever a vote, consent or
approval of the Holders of Securities is permitted or required under this Trust
Agreement or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Preferred Securities
are listed or admitted for trading, such vote, consent or approval may be given
at a meeting of the Holders of Securities. Any action that may be taken at a
meeting of the Holders of Securities may be taken without a meeting and without
prior notice if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed
by the Holders of Securities owning not less than the minimum amount of
Securities in liquidation amount that would be necessary to authorize or take
such action at a meeting at which all Holders of Securities having a right to
vote thereon were present and voting. Prompt notice of the taking of action
without a meeting shall be given to the Holders of Securities entitled to vote
who have not consented in writing. The Administrative Trustees may specify that
any written ballot submitted to the Security Holders for the purpose of taking
any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Trust within the time
specified by the Administrative Trustees;
(ii) each Holder of a Security may authorize any Person to act
for it by proxy on all matters in which a Holder of Securities is entitled to
participate, including waiving notice of any
58
meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. No proxy shall be valid after
the expiration of 11 months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in
the proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Holder of
Securities executing such proxy. Except as otherwise provided herein, all
matters relating to the giving, voting or validity of proxies shall be governed
by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to proxies, and
judicial interpretations thereunder, as if the Trust were a Delaware corporation
and the Holders of the Securities were stockholders of a Delaware corporation;
(iii) each meeting of the Holders of the Securities shall be
conducted by the Administrative Trustees or by such other Person that the
Administrative Trustees may designate; and
(iv) unless the Business Trust Act, this Trust Agreement, the
terms of the Securities, the Trust Indenture Act or the listing rules of any
stock exchange on which the Preferred Securities are then listed for trading,
otherwise provides, the Administrative Trustees, in their sole discretion, shall
establish all other provisions relating to meetings of Holders of Securities,
including notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting at which any
matter is to be voted on by any Holders of Securities, waiver of any such
notice, action by consent without a meeting, the establishment of a record date,
quorum requirements, voting in person or by proxy or any other matter with
respect to the exercise of any such right to vote.
ARTICLE 12
REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE
AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE
SECTION 12.1 Representations and Warranties of the Property Trustee.
The Trustee that acts as initial Property Trustee represents and
warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Trust Agreement,
and each Successor Property Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the
Sponsor at the time of the Successor Property Trustee's acceptance of its
appointment as Property Trustee that:
(a) the Property Trustee is a banking corporation, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or
organization, with trust power and authority to execute and deliver, and to
carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, this Trust Agreement;
(b) the Property Trustee satisfies the requirements set forth in
Section 6.3(a);
(c) the execution, delivery and performance by the Property Trustee
of this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action on the part of the Property Trustee. This Trust Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by the Property Trustee, and it constitutes a legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Property Trustee, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization,
59
moratorium, insolvency and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally and to general principles of equity and the discretion of the court
(regardless of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law);
(d) the execution, delivery and performance of this Trust Agreement
by the Property Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the
articles of association or incorporation, as the case may be, or the by-laws (or
other similar organizational documents) of the Property Trustee; and
(e) no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with
or notice to, any State (which term, in the case of the initial Property
Trustee, shall mean the State of New York) or federal banking authority having
jurisdiction over the trust powers of the Property Trustee is required for the
execution, delivery or performance by the Property Trustee of this Trust
Agreement.
SECTION 12.2 Representations and Warranties of the Delaware Trustee.
The Trustee that acts as initial Delaware Trustee represents and
warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Trust Agreement,
and each Successor Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the
Sponsor at the time of the Successor Delaware Trustee's acceptance of its
appointment as Delaware Trustee that:
(a) the Delaware Trustee satisfies the requirements set forth in
Section 6.2, satisfies Trust Section 3807 of the Business Trust Act and has the
power and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its
obligations under the terms of, this Trust Agreement and, if it is not a natural
person, is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization;
(b) the Delaware Trustee has been authorized to perform its
obligations under the Certificate of Trust and this Trust Agreement. This Trust
Agreement under Delaware law constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation
of the Delaware Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms,
subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency and
other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to general
principles of equity and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether the
enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);
and
(c) no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with
or notice to, the State of Delaware or federal banking authority is required for
the execution, delivery or performance by the Delaware Trustee of this Trust
Agreement
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 13.1 Notices.
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All notices provided for in this Trust Agreement shall be in writing,
duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied
or mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows:
(a) if given to the Trust, in care of the Administrative Trustees at
the Trust's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Trust
may give notice of to the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and the Holders
of the Securities):
c/o Dominion Resources, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
(b) if given to the Delaware Trustee, at the mailing address set
forth below (or such other address as the Delaware Trustee may give notice of to
the Administrative Trustees, the Property Trustee and the Holders of the
Securities):
Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Corporate Trust
Administration
(c) if given to the Property Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office
(or such other address as the Property Trustee may give notice of to the
Administrative Trustees, the Delaware Trustee and the Holders of the
Securities).
(d) if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the mailing
address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the Holder of
the Common Securities may give notice of to the Property Trustee, the Delaware
Trustee and the Trust):
(e) if given to any other Holder, at the address set forth on the
Security Register.
All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person,
telecopied with receipt confirmed or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid
except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be
delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice
or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such
refusal or inability to deliver.
SECTION 13.2 Governing Law.
This Trust Agreement and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed
by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware,
provided that the immunities and standard of care of the Property Trustee in
connection with the administration of its trusts hereunder shall be governed by
and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation.
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SECTION 13.3 Intention of the Parties.
It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Trust be classified
for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust. The provisions
of this Trust Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with such
classification.
SECTION 13.4 Headings.
Headings contained in this Trust Agreement are inserted for convenience
of reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this Trust Agreement
or any provision hereof.
SECTION 13.5 Successors and Assigns.
Whenever in this Trust Agreement any of the parties hereto is named or
referred to, the successors and assigns of such party shall be deemed to be
included, and all covenants and agreements in this Trust Agreement by the
Sponsor and the Trustees shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective
successors and assigns, whether so expressed.
SECTION 13.6 Partial Enforceability.
If any provision of this Trust Agreement, or the application of such
provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of
this Trust Agreement, or the application of such provision to persons or
circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be
affected thereby.
SECTION 13.7 Counterparts.
This Trust Agreement may contain more than one counterpart of the
signature page and this Trust Agreement may be executed by the affixing of the
signature of each of the Trustees and the Sponsor to one of such counterpart
signature pages. All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though
one, and they shall have the same force and effect as though all of the signers
had signed a single signature page.
[THE REST OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY; THE SIGNATURE
PAGE FOLLOWS.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused these presents to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
DOMINION RESOURCES, INC.,
as Sponsor, as Common Securities Holder
and as Debenture Issuer
By:
----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
as Property Trustee
By:
----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK-DELAWARE,
as Delaware Trustee
By:
----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Xxxxxx X.Xxxxxxxx, as Administrative
Trustee
By:
----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
G. Xxxxx Xxxxxx, as Administrative Trustee
By:
----------------------------------------
Name: G. Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Administrative Trustee
63
EXHIBIT A
[IF THE CAPITAL SECURITY IS TO BE A GLOBAL CAPITAL SECURITY, INSERT
THE FOLLOWING: THIS PREFERRED SECURITY IS A GLOBAL PREFERRED SECURITY WITHIN THE
MEANING OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE
NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (THE "DEPOSITARY"),
OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY. THIS PREFERRED SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR
PREFERRED SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE
DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE
TRUST AGREEMENT AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS PREFERRED SECURITY (OTHER THAN A
TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
UNLESS THIS PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEBENTURE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY PREFERRED SECURITY
CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS
REGISTERED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT
HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE
HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE
REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]
CERTIFICATE NO.___________ NUMBER OF PREFERRED SECURITIES:___________
CUSIP NO._________________
CERTIFICATE EVIDENCING __% PREFERRED SECURITIES
OF
DOMINION RESOURCES CAPITAL TRUST [ ]
% PREFERRED SECURITIES
(LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $__ PER PREFERRED SECURITY)
FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY
GUARANTEED BY DOMINION RESOURCES, INC.
DOMINION RESOURCES CAPITAL TRUST [ ], a statutory business trust
created under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies
that (the "Holder") is the registered owner of _____ preferred securities of the
Trust representing undivided beneficial ownership interests in the assets of the
Trust designated the "__% Preferred Security" (liquidation amount $__ per
Preferred Security) (the "Preferred Securities"). The Preferred Securities are
transferable on the register of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized
attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form
for transfer as provided in the
64
Trust Agreement (as defined below). The designation, rights, privileges,
restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Preferred
Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to
the provisions of the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust, dated
as of , ____, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Trust
Agreement"), by and among DOMINION RESOURCES, INC., _____________,
________________, and ________________, as Administrative Trustees, The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Property Trustee, Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware, as Delaware
Trustee and the Holders. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall
have the meaning given them in the Trust Agreement. The Holder is entitled to
the benefits of the Guarantee to the extent described therein. The Sponsor will
provide a copy of the Trust Agreement, the Guarantee and the Indenture to a
Holder without charge upon written request to the Sponsor at its principal place
of business. Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust
Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder. By acceptance, the Holder
agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures
as indebtedness and the Preferred Securities as evidence of undivided indirect
beneficial ownership interests in the Debentures.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this
______ day of , ____.
DOMINION RESOURCES CAPITAL TRUST [ ]
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title: Administrative Trustee
This is one of the Preferred Securities referred to in the within-mentioned
Trust Agreement.
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
as Property Trustee
By:
------------------------------------
Authorized Officer
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EXHIBIT B
TRANSFER OF THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT TO THE
CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE TRUST AGREEMENT
REFERRED TO BELOW.
CERTIFICATE NO.______ NUMBER OF COMMON SECURITIES:______________
CERTIFICATE EVIDENCING COMMON SECURITIES
OF
DOMINION RESOURCES CAPITAL TRUST [ ]
% COMMON SECURITIES
(LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $__ PER COMMON SECURITY)
DOMINION RESOURCES CAPITAL TRUST [ ], a statutory business trust
created under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies
that DOMINION RESOURCES, INC. (the "Holder") is the registered owner of common
securities of the Trust representing an undivided beneficial ownership interest
in the assets of the Trust designated the "_____% Common Securities"
(liquidation amount $__ per Common Security) (the "Common Securities"). The
Common Securities are not transferable and any attempted transfer thereof shall
be void except as permitted by applicable law and by Section 7.9(b)(ii) of the
Trust Agreement (as defined below). The designation, rights, privileges,
restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Common
Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to
the provisions of the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust, dated
as of ____________ ___, ____ (as the same may be amended from time to time, the
"Trust Agreement"), by and among DOMINION RESOURCES, INC., as Sponsor,
______________, _______________ and _______________, as Administrative Trustees,
and, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Property Trustee, Chase Manhattan Bank
Delaware, as Delaware Trustee. and the Holders. The Holder is entitled to the
benefits of the Guarantee to the extent described therein. Capitalized terms
used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Trust
Agreement. The Sponsor will provide a copy of the Trust Agreement, the Guarantee
and the Indenture to the Holder without charge upon written request to the
Sponsor at its principal place of business. Upon receipt of this certificate,
the Holder is bound by the Trust Agreement and is entitled to the benefits
thereunder. By acceptance, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal
income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Common Securities as
evidence of an undivided indirect beneficial ownership interest in the
Debentures.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this
____ day of , ____.
DOMINION RESOURCES CAPITAL TRUST [ ]
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title: Administrative Trustee
66
