-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, E0BcbjEmQ88WdaiVmNFjHoAr4lMNo8kiclhGophtv/GKVLm/s2rKplu7iaejkAEm iWTpqK2H1Kd1asCrdb1/ug== 0000950133-06-002126.txt : 20060501 0000950133-06-002126.hdr.sgml : 20060501 20060501065426 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950133-06-002126 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20060501 ITEM INFORMATION: Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20060501 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060501 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000751364 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798] IRS NUMBER: 561431377 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-11290 FILM NUMBER: 06792260 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 450 S ORANGE AVE STREET 2: SUITE 900 CITY: ORLANDO STATE: FL ZIP: 32801 BUSINESS PHONE: 4074237348 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 455 S ORANGE AVE STE 700 STREET 2: 400 E SOUTH ST STE 500 CITY: ORLANDO STATE: FL ZIP: 32801 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CNL REALTY INVESTORS INC /DE/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19930429 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CNL REALTY INVESTORS INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920831 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: GOLDEN CORRAL REALTY CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 8-K 1 w20322e8vk.htm FORM 8-K e8vk
 

 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) : May 1, 2006
NATIONAL RETAIL PROPERTIES, INC.
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
Maryland
 
  001-11290
 
  56-1431377
 
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)
     
450 South Orange Avenue
Suite 900
Orlando, Florida
  32801
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (407) 265-7348
Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc.
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


 

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
     On April 28, 2006, Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc. (the “Company”) filed an Articles of Amendment to its First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation. The Articles of Amendment change the name of the Company to National Retail Properties, Inc., effective as of May 1, 2006. The Board of Directors of the Company approved the Articles of Amendment on April 17, 2006. The First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, is filed with this report as Exhibit 3.1.
     On April 17, 2006, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the First Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, which amended Article I, Section I of the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Bylaws to change the name of the Company to National Retail Properties, Inc., effective as of May 1, 2006. The Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended, is filed with this report as Exhibit 3.2.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
     (c) Exhibits.
  3.1   First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation.
 
  3.2   Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.

 


 

SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
           
  NATIONAL RETAIL PROPERTIES, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Kevin B. Habicht    
  Name:   Kevin B. Habicht   
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
Dated: May 1, 2006

 


 

EXHIBIT INDEX
             
Exhibit No.   Description        
3.1
  First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation.
3.2
  Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.

 

EX-3.1 2 w20322exv3w1.htm EXHIBIT 3.1 exv3w1
 

Exhibit 3.1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
     
Part I
  First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc.
 
   
Part II
  Amendment to First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc.
 
   
 
  Articles of Merger Merging Commercial Net Lease Realty Services, Inc. Into Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc.
 
   
 
  Amendment to First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc.

 


 

PART I
FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC.
     Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc., a Maryland corporation (hereinafter the “Corporation”), hereby certifies to the Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland, that:
     FIRST: The Corporation desires to amend and restate its charter as currently in effect.
     SECOND: Prior to this amendment and restatement the total number of shares of all classes of capital stock that the Corporation had authority to issue was one 180,000,000 shares, consisting of (i) 90,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share: and (ii) 90,000,000 shares of excess stock, par value $0.01 per share. The aggregate par value of all of the authorized shares of all classes of capital stock having a par value was $1,800,000.00. After this amendment and restatement the total number of shares of all classes of capital stock that the Corporation will have authority to issue will be 210,000,000 shares consisting of (i) 90,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01; (ii) 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01; and 105,000,000 shares of excess stock, par value $0.01. The aggregate par value of all of the authorized shares of all classes of capital stock having a par value will be $2,100,000.
     THIRD: The provisions of the charter which are now in effect and as amended hereby, stated in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law are as follows:
ARTICLE I
NAME
     The name of the Corporation is Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc.
ARTICLE II
DURATION
     The duration of the Corporation is perpetual.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSES AND POWERS
     The purpose for which the Corporation is formed is to engage in any lawful business, act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the laws of the State of Maryland and, in general, to possess and exercise all the purposes, powers, rights and privileges granted to, or conferred upon, corporations by the laws of the State of Maryland now or hereafter in force, and to exercise any powers suitable, convenient or proper for the accomplishment of the purposes herein enumerated, implied or incidental to the powers herein enumerated or which at any time may appear conducive to or expedient for the accomplishment of such purposes. The foregoing shall, except where otherwise expressed, in no way be limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any other provision of this Charter or of any amendment hereto or restatement hereof, and shall each be regarded as independent and construed as powers as well as purposes.

 


 

ARTICLE IV
PRINCIPLE OFFICE AND RESIDENT AGENT
     The post office address of the principal office of the Corporation is c/o The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 300 East Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. The resident agent of the Corporation is The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 300 E. Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Said resident agent is a Maryland corporation.
ARTICLE V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
     The number of directors shall be no less than three (3), unless a lesser number is permitted pursuant to the terms of the Maryland General Corporation Law as in effect from time to time or any successor statute thereto (the “MGCL”). Subject to the foregoing, the number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Bylaws of the Corporation and maybe increased or deceased from time to time in such a manner as may be prescribed by the Bylaws. The following persons will serve as directors of the Corporation until the annual meeting and until their successors are elected and qualify:
     
Robert A. Bourne
  Ted B. Lanier
Edward Clark
  James M. Seneff, Jr.
Clifford R. Hinkle
   
ARTICLE VI
AUTHORIZED STOCK
     SECTION 1. TOTAL CAPITALIZATION
     The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock that the Corporation has authority to issue is two hundred ten million (210,000,000) shares consisting of (i) ninety million (90,000,000) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 (the “Common Stock”); (ii) fifteen million (15,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 (the “Preferred Stock”); and one hundred five million (105,000,000) shares of excess stock, par value $0.01 (the “Excess Stock”). The aggregate par value of all of the authorized shares of all classes of capital stock having a par value is $2,100,000.
     SECTION 2. CAPITAL STOCK
          A. COMMON STOCK
               (1) COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO TERMS OF PREFERRED STOCK. The Common Stock shall be subject to the express terms of the Preferred Stock.
               (2) DIVIDEND RIGHTS. The holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation out of funds legally available therefore.
               (3) RIGHTS UPON LIQUIDATION. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or any distribution of the assets, of the Corporation, the aggregate amount available for distribution to holders of shares of Common Stock (including, for purposes of this sentence, holders of shares of Excess Stock) shall be determined by applicable law. Except as provided below, each holder of shares of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive that portion of such aggregate amount, ratably with (i) each other holder of shares of Common Stock and (ii) each holder of shares of Excess Stock, as the number of shares of the Common Stock held by such holder bears to the total number of shares of Common Stock and Excess Stock. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the amount payable to a holder of shares with respect to Excess Stock hereunder exceed (i) the price per share such holder paid for the Common Stock in the purported Transfer (as that term is defined in paragraph A of Section 3 of this Article VI) that resulted in the Excess Stock or (ii) if the holder did not give full value for such Excess Stock (as through a gift, devise or other event or transaction), a price per share equal to the Market Price (as the term is defined in paragraph A of Section 3 of this Article VI) for the shares of the Common Stock on the date of the purported Transfer that resulted in such Excess Stock. Any amount available for distribution in excess of the foregoing limitations shall be paid ratably to holders of Common Stock and other holders of Excess Stock resulting from the exchange of Common Stock to the extent permitted by the foregoing limitations.

 


 

               (4) VOTING RIGHTS. Except as may be provided in this Charter, and subject to the express terms of any series of Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote on all matters (as to which a common stockholder shall be entitled to vote) at all meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation, and shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of the Common Stock entitled to vote at such meetings.
          B. PREFERRED STOCK
     The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series as authorized by the Board of Directors. Prior to the issuance of shares of each such series, the Board of Directors, by resolution, shall fix the number of shares to be included in each series, and the terms, rights, restrictions and qualifications of the shares of each series. The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each series shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following:
(i)   The designation of the series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter or title;
 
(ii)   The dividend rate on the shares of the series, if any, whether any dividends shall be cumulative and, if so, from which date or dates, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of dividends on shares of the series;
 
(iii)   The redemption rights, including conditions and the price or prices, if any, for shares of the series;
 
(iv)   The terms and amounts of any sinking fund for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series;
 
(v)   The rights of the shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of shares of the series;
 
(vi)   Whether the shares of the series shall be convertible into shares of any other class or series, or any other security, of the Corporation or any other corporation or other entity, and, if so, the specification of such other class or series of such other security, the conversion price or prices or dates on which such shares shall be convertible and all other terms and conditions upon which such conversion may be made;
 
(vii)   Restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series;
 
(viii)   The voting rights, if any, of the holders of shares of the series; and
 
(ix)   Any other relative rights, preferences and limitations on that series.
     Subject to the express provisions of any other series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter, the Board of Directors may increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares, or alter the designation or classify or reclassify any unissued shares of a particular series of Preferred Stock, by fixing or altering, in one or more respects, from time to time before issuing the shares, the terms, rights, restrictions and qualifications of the shares of any such series of Preferred Stock.
     SECTION 3. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER; ACQUISITIONS AND REDEMPTION SHARES
          A. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of Sections 3 and 4 of this Article VI, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Beneficial Ownership” shall mean ownership of shares of Capital Stock by an individual who would be treated as an owner of such shares under Section 542(a)(2) of the Code, either directly or constructively through the application of Section 544, as modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B). For purposes of this definition, the term “individual” also shall include any organization, trust or other entity that is treated as an individual for purposes of Section 542(a)(2) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Own,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have correlative meanings.
“Beneficiary” shall mean a beneficiary of the Trust as determined pursuant to paragraph A of Section 4 of this Article VI.

 


 

“Board of Directors” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
“Bylaws” shall mean the Bylaws of the Corporation.
“Capital Stock” shall mean collectively the stock of the Corporation that is either Common Stock and Preferred Stock.
“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto. Reference to any provision of the Code shall mean such provision as in effect from time to time, as the same may be amended, and any successor thereto, as interpreted by any applicable regulations thereto and judicial decisions as in effect from time to time.
“Constructive Ownership” shall mean ownership of shares of Capital Stock by a Person who would be treated as an owner of such shares, either actually or constructively, through the application of Section 318 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) thereof. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Own,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have correlative meanings.
“Market Price” on any day shall mean the average of the Closing Prices for the ten (10) consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding such day (or those days during such 10-day period for which Closing Prices are available). The “Closing Price” on any day shall mean the last sale price, regular way, on such day or if no such sale takes place on that day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange, or if the Capital Stock is not so listed or admitted to trading, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange (including the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System) on which the Capital Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Capital Stock is not so listed or admitted to trading, the last quoted price, or if not quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or, if such system is no longer in use, the principal automated quotation system then in use or, if the Capital Stock is not so quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker selected by the Board of Directors making a market in the Capital Stock or, if there is no such market maker or such closing prices otherwise are not available, the fair market value of the Capital Stock as of such day, as determined by the Board of Directors in its discretion.
“Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.8 percent of the Value of the outstanding Capital Stock.
“Person” shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Section 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other entity, or a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; but does not include an underwriter which participated in a public offering of Capital Stock for a period of sixty (60) days following the purchase by such underwriter of Capital Stock therein, provided that the foregoing exclusion shall apply in an underwriting only if the ownership of such Capital Stock by such underwriter would not cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT by reason of being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(a) of the Code or otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT.
“Purported Beneficial Transferee” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer which results in Excess Stock, the purported beneficial transferee for whom the Purported Record Transferee would have acquired shares of Capital Stock if such Transfer had been valid under paragraph B of this Section 3.
“Purported Record Transferee” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer which results in Excess Stock, the record holder of the Capital Stock if such Transfer had been valid under paragraph B of this Section 3.
“REIT” shall mean a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.

 


 

“Restriction Termination Date” shall mean the first day on which the Board of Directors and the stockholders of the Corporation determine that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt, or continue, to qualify as a REIT.
“Trading Day” shall mean a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which the Capital Stock is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if the Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading, shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
“Transfer” shall mean any sale, transfer, gift, hypothecation, assignment, devise or other disposition of Capital Stock (including (i) the granting of any option (including any option to acquire any option or any series of such options) or entering into any agreement for the sale, transfer or other disposition of Capital Stock or (ii) the sale, transfer assignment or other disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock), whether voluntary or involuntary, of record, constructively or beneficially, and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transfers” and “Transferred” shall have correlative meanings.
“Trust” shall mean the trust created pursuant to paragraph A of Section 4 of this Article VI.
“Trustee” shall mean the Corporation as trustee for the Trust, and any successor trustee appointed by the Corporation.
“Value” shall mean, as of any given date, the Market Price per share of each class of Capital Stock then outstanding, multiplied by the number of shares of such class then outstanding.
          B. OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER LIMITATION
               (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter, except as provided in paragraph I of this Section 3 and Section 5 of this Article VI, prior to the Restriction Termination Date, no Person shall Beneficially or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Ownership Limit.
               (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter, except as provided in paragraph I of this Section 3 and Section 5 of this Article VI, prior to the Restriction Termination Date, any Transfer, change in the capital structure of the Corporation, or other purported change in Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock that, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially or Constructively Owning Capital Stock in excess of the Ownership Limit shall be void ab initio as to the Transfer, change in the capital structure of the Corporation, or other purported change in Beneficial or Constructive Ownership with respect to that number of shares of Capital Stock which would otherwise be Beneficially or Constructively Owned by Such Person in excess of the Ownership Limit, and neither the Purported Beneficial Transferee nor the Purported Record Transferee shall acquire any rights in that number of shares of Capital Stock.
               (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter, except as provided in Section 5 of this Article VI, prior to the Restriction Termination Date, any Transfer, change in the capital structure of the Corporation, or other purported change in ownership of Capital Stock that, if effective, would result in the Capital Stock being owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined without reference to any rules of attribution) shall be void ab initio as to the Transfer, change in the capital structure of the Corporation, or other purported change in ownership with respect to that number of shares which otherwise would be owned by the transferee, and the intended transferee or subsequent owner (including a Beneficial Owner) shall acquire no rights in that number of shares of Capital Stock.
               (4) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter except Section 5 of this Article VI, prior to the Restriction Termination Date, any Transfer, change in the capital structure of the Corporation, or other purported change in Beneficial Ownership of shares of Capital Stock that, if effective, would cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT by reason of being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise, directly or indirectly, would cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT shall be void ab initio as to the Transfer, change in the capital structure of the Corporation, or other purported change in Beneficial Ownership with respect to that number of shares of Capital Stock which would cause the Corporation to be “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise, directly or indirectly, would cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT, and the intended transferee or subsequent Beneficial Owner shall acquire no rights in that number of shares of Capital Stock.

 


 

          C. EXCHANGE FOR EXCESS STOCK.
               (1) If, notwithstanding the other provisions contained in this Article VI, at any time prior to the Restriction Termination Date, there is a purported Transfer, change in the capital structure of the Corporation or other purported change in the Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock such that any person would either Beneficially or Constructively Own Capital Stock in excess of the Ownership Limit, then, except as otherwise provided in paragraph I of this Section 3, such shares of Capital Stock (rounded up to the next whole number of shares) in excess of the Ownership Limit automatically shall be exchanged for an equal number of shares of Excess Stock having terms, rights, restrictions and qualifications identical thereto, except to the extent that this Article VI requires different terms. Such exchange shall be effective as of the close of business on the business day next preceding the date of the purported Transfer, change in capital structure or other change in purported Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock.
               (2) If, notwithstanding the other provisions contained in this Article VI, prior to the Restriction Termination Date, there is a purported Transfer, change in the capital structure of the Corporation or other purported change in Beneficial Ownership of Capital Stock which, if effective, would cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT by reason of being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, or otherwise, directly or indirectly would cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT, then the shares of Capital Stock (rounded up to the next whole number of shares), being Transferred or which are otherwise affected by the change in capital structure or other purported change in Beneficial Ownership and which, in any case, would cause the Corporation to be “closely held” within the meaning of such Section 856(h) or otherwise would cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT automatically shall be exchanged for an equal number of shares of Excess Stock having terms, rights, restrictions and qualifications identical thereto, except to the extent that this Article VI requires different terms. Such exchange shall be effective as of the close of business on the business day next preceding the date of the purported Transfer, change in capital structure or other purported change in Beneficial Ownership.
          D. REMEDIES FOR BREACH. If the Board of Directors or its designee shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or change in the capital structure of the Corporation has taken place in violation of paragraph B of this Section 3 or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock in violation of paragraph B of this Section 3, the Board of Directors or its designee shall take such actions as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer, change in capital structure of the Corporation or other attempt to acquire Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock, including, but not limited to, refusing to give effect thereto on the books of the Corporation or instituting injunctive proceedings with respect thereto; provided, however, that any Transfer, change in the capital structure of the Corporation, attempted Transfer or other attempt to acquire Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock in violation of subparagraphs (2), (3) and (4) of paragraph B of this Section 3 (as applicable) shall be void ab initio and where applicable automatically shall result in the exchange described in paragraph C of this Section 3, irrespective of any action (or inaction) by the Board of Directors or its designee.
          E. NOTICE OF RESTRICTED TRANSFER. Any Person who acquires or attempts to acquire Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock in violation of paragraph B of this Section 3 and any Person who Beneficially or Constructively owns Excess Stock pursuant to paragraph C of this Section 3 shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation, or, in the event of a proposed or attempted Transfer or purported change in Beneficial Ownership, shall give at least fifteen (15) days prior written notice to the Corporation, of such event and shall promptly provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer, attempted Transfer or purported change in Beneficial Ownership on the Corporation’s status as a REIT.
          F. OWNERS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION. Prior to the Restriction Termination Date:
               (1) Every Beneficial or Constructive Owner of more than 5.0 percent, or such lower percentages as required pursuant to regulations under the Code or as may be requested by the Board of Directors, of the Value of the outstanding Capital Stock of the Corporation shall annually, no later than January 31 of each calendar year, give written notice to the Corporation stating (i) the name and address of such Beneficial or Constructive Owner; (ii) the number of shares of Capital Stock Beneficially or Constructively Owned and (iii) a description of how such shares are held. Each such Beneficial or Constructive Owner promptly shall provide to the Corporation such additional information as the Corporation, in its sole discretion, may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial or Constructive Ownership on the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Ownership Limit.

 


 

               (2) Each person who is a Beneficial or Constructive Owner of Capital Stock and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding Capital Stock for a Beneficial or Constructive Owner promptly shall provide to the Corporation such information as the Corporation, in its sole discretion, may request in order to determine the Corporation’s status as a REIT, to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or other governmental agency, to determine any such compliance or to ensure compliance with the Ownership Limit.
          G. REMEDIES NOT LIMITED. Noting contained in this Article VI except Section 5 hereof shall limit scope or application of the provisions of this Section 3, the ability of the Corporation to implement or enforce compliance with the terms thereof or the authority of the Board of Directors to take any such other action or actions as it may deem necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation and the interests of its stockholders by preservation of the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Ownership Limit, including, without limitation, refusal to give effect to a transaction on the books of the Corporation.
          H. AMBIGUITY. In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 3, including any definition contained in paragraph A hereof, the Board of Directors shall have the power and authority, in its sole discretion, to determine the application of the provisions of this Section 3 with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it.
          I. EXCEPTION. The Board of Directors, upon receipt of a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, an opinion of counsel, or other evidence satisfactory to the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, in each case to the effect that the restrictions contained in subparagraph 3 and subparagraph 4 of paragraph B of this Section 3 will not be violated, may waive, in whole or in part, the application of the Ownership Limit with respect to any Person. In connection with any exemption, the Board of Directors may require such representations and undertakings from such Person and may impose such other conditions as the Board deems necessary, in its sole discretion, to determine the effect, if any, of the proposed Transfer on the Corporation’s status as a REIT.
          J. LIMITATIONS ON MODIFICATIONS.
               (1) The Ownership Limit may not be increased (nor may any additional ownership limitations be created) if, after giving effect to such increase or creation, the Corporation would be “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (assuming ownership of shares of Capital Stock by all Persons equal to the greater of the Beneficial Ownership of Capital Stock by such Person or the Ownership Limit,
               (2) Prior to any modification of the Ownership Limit, the Board of Directors may require such opinions of counsel, affidavits, undertakings or agreements as it may deem necessary, advisable or prudent in order to determine or ensure the Corporation’s status a REIT.
          K. LEGEND. Each certificate for shares of Capital Stock shall bear substantially the following legend:
“The securities represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on transfer for the purpose of maintenance of the Corporation’s status as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as mended (the “Code”). Except as otherwise provided pursuant to he Charter of the Corporation, no Person may (i) Beneficially or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of 9.8 percent of the Value of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation; or (ii) Beneficially Own Capital Stock which could result in the Corporation being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise would cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT. Any Person who attempts or proposes to Beneficially or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the above limitations must notify the Corporation in writing at least fifteen (15) days prior to the proposed or attempted transfer. If the transfer restrictions referred to herein are violated, the shares of Capital Stock represented hereby automatically will be exchanged for shares of Excess Stock and will be held in trust by the Corporation, all as provided in the Charter of the Corporation. All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings identified in the Corporation’s Charter, as the same may be amended or restated from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on transfer, will be sent without charge to each stockholder who so requests.”

 


 

     SECTION 4. EXCESS STOCK.
          A. OWNERSHIP IN TRUST. Upon any purported Transfer, change in the capital structure of the Corporation or other purported change in Beneficial Ownership that results in Excess Stock pursuant to paragraph C of Section 3 of this Article VI, such Excess Stock shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Corporation as Trustee of a Trust for the benefit of such Beneficiary or Beneficiaries to whom an interest in such Excess Stock may later be transferred pursuant to paragraph E of this Section 4. Shares of Excess Stock so held in trust shall be issued and outstanding stock of the Corporation. The Purported Record Transferee shall have no rights in such Excess Stock except the right to designate a transferee of such Excess Stock upon the terms specified in paragraph E of this Section 4. The Purported Beneficial Transferee shall have no rights in such Excess Stock except as provided in paragraph C of this Section 4.
          B. DIVIDEND RIGHTS. Excess Stock shall not be entitled to any dividends. Any dividend or distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been exchanged for Excess Stock shall be repaid to the Corporation upon demand, and any dividend or distribution declared but unpaid at the time of such discovery shall be rescinded as void ab initio with respect to such shares of Excess Stock.
          C. RIGHTS UPON LIQUIDATION.
               (1) Except as provided below, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or any other distribution of the assets, of the Corporation, each holder of shares of Excess Stock resulting from the exchange of Preferred Stock of any specified series shall be entitled to receive, ratably with each other holder of shares of Excess Stock resulting from the exchange of shares of Preferred Stock of such series and each holder of shares of Preferred Stock of such series, such accrued and unpaid dividends, liquidation preferences and other preferential payments, if any, as are due to holders of shares of Preferred Stock of such series. In the event that holders of shares of any series of Preferred stock are entitled to participate in the Corporation’s distribution of its residual assets, each holder of shares of Excess Stock resulting from the exchange of Preferred Stock of any such series shall be entitled to participate, ratably with (i) each other holder of shares of Excess stock resulting from the exchange of shares of Preferred Stock of all series entitled to so participate; (ii) each holder of shares of Preferred Stock of all series entitled to so participate; and (iii) each holder of shares of Common Stock and Excess Stock resulting from the exchange of shares of Common Stock (to the extent permitted by paragraph C of Section 3 of Article VI hereof), that portion of the aggregate assets available for distribution (determined in accordance with applicable law) as the number of shares of such Excess Stock held by such holder bears to the total number of (i) outstanding shares of Excess Stock resulting from the exchange of Preferred Stock of all series entitled to so participate; (ii) outstanding shares of Preferred Stock of all series entitled to so participate; and (iii) outstanding shares of Common Stock and shares of Excess Stock resulting from the exchange of shares of Common Stock. The Corporation, as holder of the Excess Stock in trust, or, if the Corporation shall have been dissolved, any trustee appointed by the Corporation prior to its dissolution, shall distribute ratably to the Beneficiaries of the Trust, when determined, any such assets received in respect of the Excess Stock in any liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or any distribution of the assets, of the Corporation. Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, in no event shall the amount payable to a holder with respect to shares of Excess Stock resulting from the exchange of shares of Preferred Stock exceed (i) the price per share such holder paid for the Preferred Stock in the purported Transfer that resulted in the Excess Stock or (ii) if the holder did not give full value for such Excess Stock (as through a gift, devise or other event or transaction), a price per share equal to the Market Price for the shares of Preferred Stock on the date of the purported Transfer that resulted in such Excess Stock. Any amount available for distribution in excess of the foregoing limitations shall be paid ratably to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock and other holders of Excess Stock resulting from the exchange of Preferred Stock to the extent permitted by the foregoing limitations.
               (2) Except as provided below, in the event of any voluntary of involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or any other distribution of the assets, of the Corporation, each holder of shares of Excess Stock resulting from the exchange of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, ratably with (i) each other holder of shares of such Excess Stock and (ii) each holder of Common Stock, that portion of the aggregate assets available for distribution to holders of shares of Common Stock (including holders of Excess Stock resulting from the exchange of Common Stock pursuant to paragraph C of Section 3 of Article VI hereof), determined in accordance with applicable law, as the number of shares of such Excess Stock held by such holder bears to the total number of shares of outstanding Common Stock and outstanding Excess Stock resulting from the exchange of Common Stock then outstanding. The Corporation, as holder of the Excess Stock in trust, or, if the Corporation shall have been dissolved, any trustee appointed by the Corporation prior to its dissolution, shall distribute ratably to the Beneficiaries of the Trust, when determined, any such assets received in respect of the Excess Stock in any liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or any distribution of the assets, of the Corporation. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the amount payable to a holder with respect to shares of Excess Stock exceed (i) the price per share such holder paid for the Common Stock in the purported Transfer that resulted in the Excess Stock or (ii) if the holder did not give full value for such Excess Stock (as through a gift, devise or other event or transaction), a price per share equal to the Market Price for the shares of Common Stock on the date of the purported Transfer that resulted in such Excess Stock. Any amount available for distribution in excess of the foregoing limitations shall be paid ratably to the holders of shares of Common Stock and other holders of Excess Stock resulting from the exchange of Common Stock to the extent permitted by the foregoing limitations.

 


 

          D. VOTING RIGHTS. The holders of shares of Excess Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any matters (except as required by MGCL).
          E. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER; DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY.
               (1) Excess Stock shall not be transferable. The Purported Record Transferee may freely designate a Beneficiary of its interest in the Trust (representing the number of shares of Excess Stock held by the Trust attributable to a purported Transfer that resulted in the Excess Stock, if (i) the shares of Excess Stock held in the Trust would not be Excess Stock in the hands of such Beneficiary and (ii) the Purported Beneficial Transferee does not receive a price for designating such Beneficiary that reflects a price per share for such Excess Stock that exceeds (x) the price per share such Purported Beneficial Transferee paid for the Capital Stock in the purported Transfer that resulted in the Excess Stock or (y) if the Purported Beneficial Transferee did not give value for such shares of Excess Stock (as through a gift, device or other event or transaction), a price per share equal to the Market Price for the shares of Capital Stock on the date of the purported Transfer that resulted in the Excess Stock. Upon such transfer of an interest in the Trust, the corresponding shares of Excess Stock in the Trust automatically shall be exchanged for an equal number of shares of Capital Stock and such shares of Capital Stock shall be transferred of record to the Beneficiary of the interest in the Trust designated by the Purported Record Transferee, as described above, if such Capital Stock would not be Excess Stock in the hands of such Beneficiary. Prior to any transfer of any interest in the Trust, the Purported Record Transferee must give advance notice to the Corporation of the intended transfer and the Corporation must have waived in writing its purchase rights under paragraph F of this Section 4.
               (2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Purported Beneficial Transferee receives a price for designating a Beneficiary of an interest in the Trust that exceeds the amounts allowable under subparagraph (1) of this paragraph E, such Purported Beneficial Transferee shall pay, or cause the Beneficiary of the interest in the Trust to pay, such excess to the Corporation.
               (3) If any of the transfer restrictions set forth in this paragraph E, or any application thereof, is determined to be void, invalid or unenforceable by any court having jurisdiction over the issue, the Purported Record Transferee may be deemed, at the option of the Corporation, to have acted as the agent of the Corporation in acquiring the Excess Stock as to which such restrictions would, by their terms, apply, and to hold such Excess Stock on behalf of the Corporation.
          F. PURCHASE RIGHT IN EXCESS STOCK. Shares of Excess Stock shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that created such Excess Stock (or, in the case of devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price of the Capital Stock exchanged for such Excess Stock on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer for a period of ninety (90) days after the later of (i) the date of the purported Transfer, change in capital structure of the Corporation or purported change in Beneficial Ownership which resulted in such Excess Stock and (ii) the date on which the Board of Directors determines in good faith that a Transfer, change in capital structure of the Corporation or purported change in Beneficial Ownership resulting in Excess Stock has occurred, if the Corporation does not receive a notice pursuant to paragraph E of Section 3 of this Article VI, but in no event later than a permitted Transfer pursuant to and in compliance with the terms of paragraph E of this Section 4.
          G. REMEDIES NOT LIMITED. Nothing contained in this Article VI except Section 5 hereof shall limit scope or application of the provisions of this Section 4, the ability of the Corporation to implement or enforce compliance with the terms thereof or the authority of the Board of Directors to take any such other action or actions as it may deem necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation and the interests of its stockholders by preservation of the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Ownership Limit, including, without limitation, refusal to give effect to a transaction on the books of the Corporation.
     SECTION 5. SETTLEMENTS.
          Nothing in Sections 3 and 4 of this Article VI shall preclude the settlement of any transaction with respect to the Capital Stock entered into through the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange or other national securities exchange on which the Capital Stock is listed.
SECTION 6. SEVERABILITY
          If any provision of this Article VI or any application of any such provision is determined to be void, invalid or unenforceable by any court having jurisdiction over the issue, the validity and enforceability of the remainder of this Article VI shall not be affected and other applications of such provision shall be affected only to the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court.

 


 

ARTICLE VII
MATTERS RELATING TO THE POWERS OF THE CORPORATION AND ITS
DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS
     The following provisions are hereby adopted for the purpose of defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the Corporation and of the directors and stockholders thereof:
     SECTION 1. MATTERS RELATING TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
          A. AUTHORITY AS TO BYLAWS. Except as otherwise provided herein, in furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation and the Corporation may, in its Bylaws, confer powers on the Board of Directors in addition to these contained herein or conferred by applicable law.
          B. AUTHORITY AS TO STOCK ISSUANCES. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of its stock of any class, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities convertible into shares now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may deem advisable, subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Charter or the Bylaws of the Corporation or in the general laws of the State of Maryland.
          C. MANNER OF ELECTION. Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws of the Corporation shall so require, the election of directors of the Corporation need not be by written ballot.
          D. REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS. Any director may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding Capital Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
          E. PERMISSIBLE CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERATION OF BEST INTERESTS. In determining what is in the best interest of the Corporation, a director of the Corporation shall consider the interests of the stockholders of the Corporation and, in his or her discretion, may consider the interests of the Corporation’s employees, suppliers, creditors and tenants and the long-term as well as short-term interests of the Corporation and its stockholders, including the possibility that these interests may be best served by the continued independence of the Corporation.
          F. DETERMINATIONS BY BOARD. The determination as to any of the following matters, made in good faith by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors consistent with the Charter of the Corporation and in the absence of actual receipt of an improper benefit in money, property or services or active and deliberate dishonesty established by a court, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of shares of its stock: (i) the amount of the net income of the Corporation for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption of its stock or the payment of other distributions on its stock; (ii) the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); (iii) the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked priced to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Corporation; and (iv) any matters relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Corporation.
          G. RESERVED POWERS OF BOARD. The enumeration and definition of particular powers of the Board of Directors included in this Article VII shall in no way be limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any other provision of the Charter of the Corporation, or construed or deemed by inference or otherwise in any manner to exclude or limit the powers conferred upon the Board of Directors under the laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force.
          H. ALTERATION OF AUTHORITY GRANTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The affirmative vote of that proportion of the then-outstanding Capital Stock necessary to approve an amendment to this Charter pursuant to the MGCL and Article XI hereof shall be required to amend, repeal or adopt any provision inconsistent with Section 1 of this Article VII or with Section 3.12 of the Bylaws of the Corporation (including defined terms therein).

 


 

          I. REIT QUALIFICATION. The Board of Directors shall use its best efforts to cause the Corporation and its stockholders to qualify for U.S. federal income tax treatment in accordance with the provisions of the Code applicable to REITs. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Board of Directors shall use its best efforts to take such actions as are necessary, and may take such actions as it deems desirable (in its sole judgment and discretion) to preserve the status of the Corporation as a REIT (as that term is defined in paragraph A of Section 3 of Article VI hereof); provided, however, that in the event that the Board of Directors determines, in its sole judgment and discretion, that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to qualify as a REIT, the Board of Directors shall take such actions as are required by the Code (as that term is defined in paragraph A of Section 3 of Article VI hereof), the MGCL and other applicable law, to cause the matter of termination of qualification as a REIT to be submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation pursuant to paragraph A of Section 2 of this Article VII.
     SECTION 2. MATTERS RELATING TO THE STOCKHOLDERS.
          A. TERMINATION OF REIT STATUS. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Charter to the contrary, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding Capital Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and the approval of the Board of Directors shall be required to terminate voluntarily the Corporation’s status as a REIT (as that term is defined in paragraph A of Section 3 of Article VI).
          B. NO CUMULATIVE RIGHTS. Stockholders of the Corporation shall not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.
          C. NO PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS. No holders of stock of the Corporation, of whatever class, shall have any preferential right of subscription to any shares of stock of any class or to any securities convertible into shares of stock of any class of the Corporation, nor any right of subscription to any thereof.
ARTICLE VIII
DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY
     To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of directors and officers, no director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article VIII, nor the adoption or amendment of any provision of the Charter or Bylaws of the Corporation inconsistent with this Article VIII, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.
ARTICLE IX
INDEMNIFICATION
     Each person who is or was or who agrees to become a director or officer of the Corporation, or each person who, while a director of the Corporation, is or was serving or who agrees to serve, at the request of the Corporation, as a director, officer, partner, joint venture, employee or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (including the heirs, executor, administrators or estate of such person), shall be indemnified by the Corporation, and shall be entitled to have paid on his behalf or be reimbursed for reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding, in accordance with the Bylaws of the Corporation, to the full extent permitted from time to time by the Maryland General Corporation Law as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment) or any other applicable laws presently or hereafter in effect. The Corporation shall have the power, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation, in accordance with the Bylaws of the Corporation. Without limiting the generality or the effect of the foregoing, the Corporation may enter into one or more agreements with any person which provide for indemnification greater or different than that provided in this Article IX. Any amendment or repeal of this Article IX shall not adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder immediately prior to such amendment or repeal.
ARTICLE X
APPLICATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF LAW
     SECTION 1. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS.
     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or any contrary provision of law, Title 3, subtitle 6 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto, shall not apply to any “business combination” (as defined in Section 3.601(d) of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto) involving the Corporation.

 


 

     SECTION 2. CONTROL SHARE TRANSACTIONS.
     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or any contrary provision of law, Title 3, subtitle 7 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto shall not apply to any acquisition of shares of stock of the Corporation.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENT
     The Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in its Charter and any other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Maryland at the time in force may be added or inserted in the manner now or hereafter prescribed herein or by applicable law, and all rights, preferences and privileges of whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholder, directors or any other persons whomsoever by and pursuant to this Charter in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the rights reserved in this Article XI; provided, however, that any amendment or repeal of Articles VIII, IX or this Article XI of this Charter shall not adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder immediately prior to such amendment or repeal.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, these First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation are hereby executed by Gary M. Ralston, the President of the Corporation, who hereby acknowledges that the First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation are the act of the Corporation, and who does hereby state under the penalties of perjury that the matters and facts set forth herein with respect to authorization and approval of such Articles are true in all material respects to the best of his knowledge, information and belief.
Dated: August 10, 1998
         
By:
  /s/ Gary M. Ralston    
         
 
  Gary M. Ralston, President    
 
       
ATTEST    
 
       
By:
  /s/ Kevin B. Habicht    
         
 
  Kevin B. Habicht, Secretary    

 


 

PART II
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
TO
FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC.
Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc., a Maryland corporation having its principal office in Baltimore, Maryland (hereinafter, the “Corporation”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:
FIRST: The First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles of Incorporation”) are hereby amended by renaming Article XI “AMENDMENT AND CERTAIN EXTRAORDINARY ACTIONS” and deleting Article XI in its entirety and inserting the following new Article XI:
     Section 1. Amendment
The Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in its Charter and any other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Maryland at the time in force may be added or inserted in the manner now or hereafter prescribed herein or by applicable law, and all rights, preferences and privileges of whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other person whomsoever by and pursuant to this Charter in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the rights reserved in this Article XI, provided, however, that any amendment or repeal of Articles VIII, IX or this Article XI of this Charter shall not adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder immediately prior to such amendment or repeal. Subject to the provisions of any class or series of Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, this Charter may be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the Common Stock then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon.
     Section 2. Consolidation, Merger, Share Exchange or Transfer of Assets
Subject to the provisions of any class or series of Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the Board of Directors shall have the power to (i) consolidate the Corporation with one or more other entities into a new entity, (ii) merge the Corporation into another entity, (iii) effect a share exchange with another domestic or foreign corporation or other entity or (iv) sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets; provided, however, that such action shall have been approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the Common Stock then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon.
SECOND: The total number of all classes of capital stock which the Corporation has authority to issue immediately prior to this amendment is two hundred ten million (210,000,000) shares consisting of (i) ninety million (90,000,000) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 (the “Common Stock”); (ii) fifteen million (15,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 (the “Preferred Stock”); and one hundred five million (105,000,000) shares of excess stock, par value $0.01 (the “Excess Stock”). The aggregate par value of all of the authorized shares of all classes of capital stock having a par value is $2,100,000.
THIRD: The Articles of Incorporation are hereby amended by deleting Article VI, Section 1 in its entirety and inserting the following new Article VI, Section 1:
The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock that the Corporation has authority to issue is four hundred ten million (410,000,000) shares consisting of (i) one hundred ninety million (190,000,000) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 (the “Common Stock”); (ii) fifteen million (15,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 (the “Preferred Stock”); and (iii) two hundred five million (205,000,000) shares of excess stock, par value $0.01 (the “Excess Stock”). The aggregate par value of all of the authorized shares of all classes of capital stock having a par value is $4,100,000.

 


 

FOURTH: The information required by subsection (b)(2)(i) of Section 2-607 of the Maryland General Corporation Law will not be changed by these Articles of Amendment; and
FIFTH: The amendments to the Articles of Incorporation as hereinabove set forth have been duly advised by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders of the Corporation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc. has caused these presents to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and attested by its Assistant Secretary on September 23, 2004.
THE UNDERSIGNED, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc., who executed on behalf of said corporation, the foregoing Articles of Amendment, of which this certificate is made a part, hereby acknowledges, in the name and on behalf of said corporation, the foregoing Articles of Amendment to be the corporate act of said corporation and further certifies that, to the best of his knowledge, information, and belief, the matters and facts set forth therein with respect to the approval thereof are true in all material respects, under the penalties of perjury.
     
ATTEST:
  Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc.
 
   
/s/ Kella W. Schaible
  /s/ Julian E. Whitehurst
 
   
Kella W. Schaible
  Julian E. Whitehurst
Assistant Secretary
  Executive Vice President and Chief Operating officer

 


 

ARTICLES OF MERGER
MERGING
COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY SERVICES, INC.
(a Maryland corporation)
INTO

COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC.
(a Maryland corporation)
     The undersigned corporations, in accordance with the Annotated Code of Maryland, Corporations and Associations, Section 3-101 et seq. (the “Code”) hereby adopt and execute the following Articles of Merger:
ARTICLE I
     The names of the corporations proposing to merge are: (i) Commercial Net Lease Realty Services, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “Merged Corporation”), and (ii) Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “Surviving Corporation”), both of which corporations agree to effect such merger (the “Merger”) upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
     Pursuant to these Articles of Merger, Commercial Net Lease Realty Services, Inc. will merge with and into Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc., its sole stockholder, with Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc. being the Surviving Corporation.
ARTICLE II
     The principal office of the Merged Corporation, organized under the laws of the State of Maryland, is located in Baltimore City, State of Maryland.
     The principal office of the Surviving Corporation, organized under the laws of the State of Maryland, is located in Baltimore City, State of Maryland.

 


 

ARTICLE III
     The Merged Corporation does not own real property or any other interest in land in the State of Maryland.
ARTICLE IV
     The terms and conditions of the transaction set forth in these Articles of Merger (“Articles”) were advised, authorized, and approved by each corporation party to the Articles in the manner and by the vote required by its charter and the laws of the State of Maryland.
     (i) The Merger was duly advised, authorized and approved by the Board of Directors of the Merged Corporation by a Unanimous Written Consent of the Board of Directors of the Merged Corporation dated October 31, 2005, declaring that the Merger herein proposed is advisable and in the best interests of the Merged Corporation substantially upon the terms and conditions set forth in these Articles. Pursuant to Section 3-106(c)(1) of the Code, a meeting of the sole shareholder of the Merged Corporation was not necessary.
     (ii) The Merger was duly advised, authorized and approved by the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation by a Unanimous Written Consent of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation dated October 31, 2005, declaring that the Merger herein proposed is advisable and in the best interests of the Surviving Corporation substantially upon the terms and conditions set forth in these Articles.
ARTICLE V
     The total number of shares of stock that the Merged Corporation has authority to issue is 40,000 shares consisting of (i) 30,000 shares of Common Stock, with a par value $0.01 per share, 29,500 shares of which are designated as Non-Voting Common Stock and 500 shares of which are designated as Voting Common Stock; and (ii) 10,000 shares of Preferred Stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share. The aggregate par value of all such shares is Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00).
     The total number of shares of stock that the Surviving Corporation has authority to issue is 410,000,000 shares consisting of (i) 190,000,000 shares of Common Stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share; (ii) 15,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share; and (iii) 205,000,000 shares of Excess Stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share. The aggregate par value of all such shares is Four Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,100,000.00).

 


 

ARTICLE VI
     The Merger shall not effect any amendment changing the foregoing information in this Article VI with respect to the Surviving Corporation.
ARTICLE VII
     The manner and basis of converting or exchanging the shares of the Merged Corporation into shares of the Surviving Corporation shall be as follows: upon the effective time of the Merger, each share of stock of the Merged Corporation held by Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc., the sole stockholder of the Merged Corporation, shall cease to be outstanding, shall be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist.
ARTICLE VIII
     The Merger shall be effective as of 9:05 a.m. EST on November 1, 2005.

 


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, these Articles of Merger are hereby signed for and on behalf of the Merged Corporation by its Executive Vice President, who does hereby acknowledge that said Articles of Merger are the corporate act of said corporation, and who does hereby state under the penalties for perjury that the matters and facts stated therein with respect to the authorization and approval of said merger are true in all material respects to the best of his knowledge, information, and belief, and attested to by the Secretary.
             
        COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY SERVICES, INC., a Maryland corporation
 
           
 
      By:   /s/ Kevin B. Habicht
             
 
      Name:   Kevin B. Habicht
 
      Title:   Executive Vice President
 
           
ATTEST:        
 
           
/s/ Julian E. Whitehurst        
         
Name:
  Julian E. Whitehurst        
Title:
  Secretary        
 
           
Dated: October 31, 2005        

 


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, these Articles of Merger are hereby signed for and on behalf of the Surviving Corporation by its Executive Vice President, who does hereby acknowledge that said Articles of Merger are the corporate act of said corporation, and who does hereby state under the penalties for perjury that the matters and facts stated therein with respect to the authorization and approval of said merger are true in all material respects to the best of his knowledge, information, and belief, and attested to by the Assistant Secretary.
             
        COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC., a Maryland corporation
 
           
 
      By:   /s/ Julian E. Whitehurst
             
 
      Name:   Julian E. Whitehurst
 
      Title:   Executive Vice President
 
           
 
           
ATTEST:        
 
           
/s/ Kevin B. Habicht        
         
Name:
  Kevin B. Habicht        
Title:
  Assistant Secretary        
 
           
Dated: October 31, 2005        

 


 

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
TO
FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC.
     Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc., a Maryland corporation having its principal office in Baltimore, Maryland (hereinafter, the “Corporation”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:
     FIRST: The First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles of Incorporation”) are hereby amended by deleting Article I in its entirety and inserting the following new Article I:
The name of the Corporation is National Retail Properties, Inc.
     SECOND: The information required by subsection (b)(2)(i) of Section 2-607 of the Maryland General Corporation Law will not be changed by these Articles of Amendment; and
     THIRD: The amendment to the Articles of Incorporation as hereinabove set forth have been approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation and is limited to the change expressly authorized by Section 2-605 of the Maryland General Corporation Law to be made without action by the stockholders.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc. has caused these presents to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and attested by its Assistant Secretary on May 1, 2006.
     THE UNDERSIGNED, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc., who executed on behalf of said corporation, the foregoing Articles of Amendment, of which this certificate is made a part, hereby acknowledges, in the name and on behalf of said corporation and further certifies that, to the best of his knowledge, information, and belief, the matters and facts set forth therein with respect to the approval thereof are true in all material respects, under the penalties of perjury.

       

ATTEST:
 
 
/s/ Kella W. Schaible    
Kella W. Schaible    
Assistant Secretary   
 
       
 
Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc.
 
 
/s/ Julian E. Whitehurst    
Julian E. Whitehurst   
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer   
 


EX-3.2 3 w20322exv3w2.htm EXHIBIT 3.2 exv3w2
 

Exhibit 3.2
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
OF
COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC.
(adopted on August 18, 2005)
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
     Section 1. Registered Office. The registered Office of Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc. (the “Corporation”) shall be 300 East Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The registered agent of the Corporation at such address is The Corporation Trust Incorporated.
     Section 2. Additional Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Maryland, as the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
     Section 1. Time and Place. Meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation (the “Stockholders”) shall be held at such places, either within or without the State of Maryland, as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.

 


 

     Section 2. Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting of Stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of other business shall be held, in each year, commencing with the year 1995, after delivery of the annual report referred to in Section 12 of this Article II, on such date and at such time and location as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting. Failure to hold the Annual Meeting does not invalidate the Corporation’s existence or affect any otherwise valid acts of the Corporation.
     Section 3. Special Meetings. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the members of the Board of Directors may call a Special Meeting of the Stockholders. A Special Meeting shall also be called by the Secretary of the Corporation upon the written request of the Stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting. The Secretary shall inform such Stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing notice of the meeting and, upon payment by such Stockholders to the Corporation of such costs, the Secretary shall give notice to each Stockholder entitled to notice of the meeting. Unless requested by Stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all votes entitled to be cast at such meeting, a Special Meeting need not be called to consider any matter which is substantially the same as a matter voted on at any meeting of the Stockholders held during the preceding twelve (12) months.
     Section 4. Notice. Written notice of any meeting of Stockholders stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each Stockholder entitled to vote thereat, either personally or by mail, not less than ten (10) nor more than ninety (90) days before the date of the meeting, unless a greater period of notice is required by statute in a particular case. In the case of a Special Meeting, the notice shall also state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is

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called. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to have been given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the Stockholder at the Stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.
     Section 5. Corporate Records and Stockholder Lists. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and keep, or cause to have prepared and kept, as part of the books and records of the Corporation, a list of the names and addresses of all Stockholders of the Corporation. Inspection of all the books and records of the Corporation by Stockholders shall be permitted to the extent provided by the Maryland General Corporation Law.
     Section 6. Quorum; Adjournments. Unless otherwise provided by statute or the Articles of Incorporation, at a meeting of Stockholders, the presence in person or by proxy of Stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting of Stockholders shall constitute a quorum. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the Stockholders, the Stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without further notice to a date not more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the original record date. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.
     Section 7. Voting. A plurality of all votes cast at a meeting of Stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to elect a Director. Each share of stock may be voted for as many individuals as there are Directors to be elected and for whose

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election the shares of stock are entitled to be voted. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast shall decide any other question brought before such meeting, unless more than a majority of the votes cast is required herein or by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation.
     Section 8. Voting Procedure. Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, each Stockholder shall, at every meeting of the Stockholders, regardless of class, be entitled to one (1) vote in person or by proxy for each share of stock held by such Stockholder.
     Section 9. Proxies. A Stockholder may cast the votes entitled to be cast by the share of stock owned of record by the Stockholder either in person or by proxy executed by the Stockholder or by the Stockholder’s duly authorized agent in any manner allowed by law. Such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation before or at the time of the meeting. No proxy shall be valid after eleven (11) months from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the proxy.
     Section 10. Voting of Stock By Certain Holders. Shares of stock of the Corporation registered in the name of a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, a general partner, a manager, a managing member or trustee thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such stock pursuant to a by-law or a resolution of the governing board of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of the partnership or agreement of the members of the limited liability company presents a certified copy of such by-law, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such stock. Any trustee or other fiduciary may vote stock registered in such person’s name as such fiduciary, either in person or by proxy.

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     Shares of stock of the Corporation directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares of stock entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares of stock at any given time.
     The Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a Stockholder may certify in writing to the Corporation that any shares of stock registered in the name of the Stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the Stockholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of Stockholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date or closing of the stock transfer books, the time after the record date or closing of the stock transfer books within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Directors consider necessary or desirable. On receipt of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the Stockholder of record of the specified shares of stock in place of the Stockholder who makes the certification.
     Section 11. Inspectors. At any meeting of Stockholders, the Chairman of the meeting may appoint one or more persons as inspectors for such meeting. Such inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of shares of stock represented at the meeting based upon their

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determination of the validity and effect of proxies, count all votes, report the results and perform such other acts as are proper to conduct the election and voting with impartiality and fairness to all the Stockholders.
     Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares of stock represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.
     Section 12. Reports to Stockholders. The Directors shall submit to the Stockholders at or before the Annual Meeting of Stockholders a report of the business and operations of the Corporation during such fiscal year, containing a balance sheet and a statement of income and surplus of the Corporation, accompanied by the certification of an independent certified public accountant, and such further information as the Directors may determine is required pursuant to any law or regulation to which the Corporation is subject. Within the earlier of twenty (20) days after the Annual Meeting of Stockholders or one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of the fiscal year of the Corporation, the Directors shall place the annual report on file at the principal office of the Corporation and with any governmental agencies as may be required by law and as the Directors may deem appropriate.

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     Section 13. Nominations and Proposals by Stockholders.
          (a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders.
               (i) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of business to be considered by the Stockholders may be made at an Annual Meeting of Stockholders: (A) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting; (B) by or at the direction of the Directors; or (C) by any Stockholder of the Corporation who was a Stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 13(a) and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 13(a).
               (ii) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an Annual Meeting by a Stockholder pursuant to clause (C) of paragraph (a) (i) of this Section 13, the Stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by Stockholders. To be timely, a Stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 120 th calendar day before the first anniversary of the date of the Corporation’s proxy statement released to Stockholders in connection with the preceding year’s Annual Meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the current year’s Annual Meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) days from the date of the preceding year’s meeting or if the Corporation did not hold an Annual Meeting the preceding year, notice by the Stockholder to be timely must be so delivered within a reasonable time before the Annual Meeting begins to print and mail its

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proxy materials. In no event shall the public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an Annual Meeting to a later date or time commence a new time period for the giving of a Stockholder’s notice as described above. Such Stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (A) as to each person whom the Stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a Director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of Directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Director if elected); (B) as to any other business that the Stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such Stockholder and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (C) as to the Stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made: (i) the name and address of such Stockholder, as it appears on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner; and (ii) the number of each class of shares of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such Stockholder and such beneficial owner.
          (iii) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (a) (ii) of this Section 13 to the contrary, in the event that the number of Directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for Director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least seventy (70) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a Stockholder’s notice required by this Section 13(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with

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respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
          (b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a Special Meeting of Stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a Special Meeting of Stockholders at which Directors are to be elected: (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting; (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (iii) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that Directors shall be elected at such Special Meeting, by any Stockholder of the Corporation who was a Stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 13(b) and at the time of the Special Meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 13(b). In the event the Corporation calls a Special Meeting of Stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more Directors to the Board of Directors, any such Stockholder may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the Stockholder’s notice containing the information required by paragraph (a) (ii) of this Section 13 shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such Special Meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such Special Meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the Special Meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a Special Meeting to a later date or time commence a new time period for the giving of a Stockholder’s notice as described above.

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          (c) General.
               (i) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 13 shall be eligible to be elected as Directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of Stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 13. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 13 and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with this Section 13, to declare that such nomination or proposal shall be disregarded.
               (ii) For purposes of this Section 13, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
               (iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 13, a Stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 13. Nothing in this Section 13 shall be deemed to affect any rights of Stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in, nor the right of the Corporation to omit a proposal from, the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

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     Section 14. Informal Action by Stockholders.
          (a) Any action by Stockholders may be taken without a meeting, if a majority of shares of stock entitled to vote on the matter (or such larger proportion of shares of stock as shall be required to take such action) consent to the action in writing and the written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of Stockholders.
          (b) In order that the Corporation may determine the Stockholders entitled to consent to action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. Any Stockholder of record seeking to have the Stockholders authorize or take action by written consent shall, by written notice to the Secretary of the Corporation, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date. The Board of Directors shall promptly, but in all events within ten (10) days of the date on which such a request is received, adopt a resolution fixing the record date. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors within ten (10) days of the date on which such a request is received and no prior action by the Board of Directors is required by applicable law, the record date for determining Stockholders entitled to consent to action in writing without a meeting shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Maryland, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of

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the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of Stockholders meetings are recorded, in each case to the attention of the Secretary of Corporation. Delivery shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors within ten (10) days of the date on which such a request is received and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by applicable law, the record date for determining Stockholders entitled to consent to action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the date on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
     Section 15. Voting by Ballot. Voting on any question or in any election may be by voice unless the presiding officer shall order or any Stockholder shall demand that voting be by ballot.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
     Section 1. Number. The number of directors (“Directors”) which shall constitute the whole Board shall be no fewer than three (3) and no more than twelve (12). Such numbers may be altered (but not to less than three (3)) by amendment to this By-law.
     Section 2. Selection. The Directors shall be elected at the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders, except as provided in Section 5 of this Article, and except that the first Directors of the Corporation were named in the Articles of Incorporation, each Director elected shall hold office until the next Annual Meeting of the Stockholders and until the Director’s successor is elected and qualified, or until the Director’s earlier resignation or removal.

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     Section 3. Composition. A majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall, except during the period of a vacancy or vacancies therein, be “Independent Directors,” as such term is defined or construed from time to time in the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the rules and regulations of any stock exchange or automated interdealer quotation system on which any shares of stock of the Corporation are listed or quoted, and other laws and regulations applicable to the Corporation.
     Section 4. Resignation; Removal. Any Director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. Any Director may be removed, with or without cause, by the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock then entitled to vote for the election of Directors.
     Section 5. Vacancies. If for any reason any or all the Directors cease to be Directors, such event shall not terminate the Corporation or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining Directors hereunder (even if fewer than three Directors remain). Subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred shares then outstanding, any vacancy on the Board of Directors (including a vacancy created by an increase in the number of Directors) shall be filled by a majority of the remaining Directors or, if the remaining Directors fail to act or there is no remaining Director, by the votes of holders of at least a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote thereon and present in person or by proxy at any meeting of the Stockholders called for that purpose. Any individual so elected as Director shall hold office for the unexpired term of the Director he or she is replacing.

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     Section 6. Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors may elect from among the Directors a Chairman of the Board of Directors by affirmative vote of a majority of the full Board of Directors taken at any regular or special meeting of Directors. The Chairman of the Board shall act as chairman at all meetings of the Stockholders at which the Chairman of the Board is present and shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors at which the Chairman of the Board is present. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the duties of the Chairman of the Board shall be performed and the authority of the Chairman of the Board may be exercised by the Vice Chairman of the Board.
     Section 7. Vice Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors may elect from among the Directors a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors by affirmative vote of a majority of the full Board of Directors taken at any regular or special meeting of Directors. The Vice Chairman of the Board shall, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, act as chairman at all meetings of the Stockholders at which the Vice Chairman of the Board is present and shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors at which the Vice Chairman of the Board is present.
     Section 8. General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the Stockholders. A Director shall be an individual at least twenty-one (21) years of age who is not under legal disability. In case of failure to elect Directors at an Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Directors holding over shall continue to direct the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation until their successors are elected and qualify.

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     Section 9. Place of Meetings. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Maryland at such place or places as the Board may from time to time designate (in the case of regular meetings) or as shall be specified in the notice of such meeting (in the case of special meetings).
     Section 10. Regular Meetings. The Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place, either within or without the State of Maryland, for the holding of regular meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.
     Section 11. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman or the Chief Executive Officer; special meetings shall also be called by the Chairman or Secretary pursuant to the written request of a majority of the Directors.
     Section 12. Notice. Notice of any special meeting of the Board shall be given by written notice delivered personally, telegraphed, facsimile-transmitted, mailed electronically or mailed to each Director at the Director’s business or residence address. Personally delivered or telegraphed notices shall be given at least two (2) days prior to the meeting. Notice by mail shall be given at least five (5) days prior to the meeting. Telephone, facsimile-transmitted or electronically mailed notice shall be given at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. If given by telegram, such notice shall be deemed to be given when the telegram is delivered to the telegraph company. Telephone notice

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shall be deemed given when the Director is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which the Director is a party. Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address previously given by the Director to, and on file with, the Corporation. Facsimile-transmission notice shall be deemed given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number previously given by the Director to, and on file with, the Corporation and receipt of a completed transmission report confirming delivery. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Directors need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.
     Section 13. Quorum; Voting.
          (a) At all meetings of the Board, a majority of the total number of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the Directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, unless statute, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws require a greater proportion.
          (b) If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the Directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting of the time and place of the adjourned meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
          (c) The Directors present at a meeting which has been duly called and convened may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Directors to leave less than a quorum.

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     Section 14. Telephone Meetings. Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
     Section 15. Action by Written Consent. Unless otherwise restricted by the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board consent thereto in writing, and if the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board.
     Section 16. Compensation; Financial Assistance. Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as Directors but, by resolution of the Directors, may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting and for any service or activity they performed or engaged in as Directors. Directors may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Directors or of any committee thereof; and for their expenses, if any, in connection with any other service or activity performed or engaged in as Directors; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any Directors from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
     Section 17. Loss of Deposits. No Director shall be liable for any loss which may occur by reason of the failure of the bank, trust company, savings and loan association, or other institution with whom moneys or shares have been deposited.
     Section 18. Surety Bonds. Unless required by law, no Director shall be obligated to give any bond or surety or other security for the performance of any of the Director’s duties.

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ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
     Section 1. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of two or more of the Directors of the Corporation and the Board may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee; provided, however, that the majority of the members of the Corporation’s audit committee, and at least one (1) member of each and any other committee, except during the period of a vacancy or vacancies therein, shall be Independent Directors. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution, and subject to any restrictions imposed by statute, shall have and may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, except the power to (i) declare dividends or distributions of stock; (ii) issue stock, except in accordance with resolution of the Board or by adoption of a stock option or other plan; (iii) recommend to the Stockholders any action which requires Stockholder approval; (iv) amend these Bylaws; (v) approve any merger or share exchange which does not require Stockholder approval; or (vi) take such other action which may be from time to time prohibited by the Maryland General Corporation Law. Such committee or committees may also authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.
     Section 2. Meetings. Each committee may designate a chairman of such committee. Meetings of any committee may be called by or at the request of the chairman of the committee, the Chief Executive Officer or by a majority of the members of the committee. The person or

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persons authorized to call meetings of any committee may fix any place, either within or without the State of Maryland, as the place for holding any meetings of the committee called by them. In the absence or disqualification of any member of such committee or committees, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not the member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
     Section 3. Notice of Committee Meetings. Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Directors.
     Section 4. Quorum for Committee Meetings. The presence of a majority of the total membership of any committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of such committee and the act of a majority of those present shall be necessary and sufficient for the taking of any action at such meeting.
     Section 5. Vacancies, Removal and Dissolution. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill all vacancies, to designate alternative members to replace any absent or disqualified member, or to dissolve any such committee.
     Section 6. Telephone Meetings. Members of a committee may participate in a committee meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment if all persons participating in the committee meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a committee meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the committee meeting.

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     Section 7. Informal Action by Committees. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any committee meeting may be taken without a committee meeting, if a consent in writing to such action is signed by each member of the committee and such written consent is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the committee.
     Section 8. Minutes of Committees. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.
ARTICLE V
WAIVER OF NOTICE
     Section 1. Waiver. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of any applicable statute or of the Articles of Incorporation or of these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. Attendance of a person at a meeting of Stockholders, Directors, or a committee of Directors, shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Stockholders, Directors, or members of a committee of Directors need to be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so required by the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

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ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
     Section 1. Number; Qualification. The officers of the Corporation shall include a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Treasurer, and a Secretary. The officers of the Corporation may also include the Chairman of the Board, one or more Vice Presidents, including Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Treasurers or Assistant Secretaries, and any other officers with such powers and duties as necessary or desirable. Any number of offices may be held by the same person unless the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws provide otherwise, but the President may not serve concurrently as Vice President.
     Section 2. Election. The following officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors: a Chief Executive Officer, a President, any Executive Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, and a Secretary. The Chief Executive Officer or President may from time to time appoint one or more Senior Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents (not designated as Executive Vice President), Assistant Treasurers, Assistant Secretaries, and any other officers. Each officer shall hold office until the officer’s successor is elected and qualifies or until the officer’s death, resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Corporation and such officer or agent.
     Section 3. Compensation. The salaries of all officers and agents of the Corporation shall be fixed by or in the manner prescribed by the Board of Directors.

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     Section 4. Removal and Resignation. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board if, in its judgment, the Board finds that the best interests of the Corporation will be served, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of any person so removed. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. Any officer appointed by either the Chief Executive Officer or the President may be removed by either the Chief Executive Officer or the President if, in such officer’s judgment, the officer finds that the best interests of the Corporation will be served, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of any person so removed. Any resignation shall take effect at any time subsequent to the time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become effective is not specified therein, immediately upon its receipt. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Corporation.
     Section 5. Vacancy. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by or in the manner prescribed by the Board of Directors.
     Section 6. Chief Executive Officer. The Directors may designate a Chief Executive Officer from among the elected officers. The Chief Executive Officer shall direct, coordinate and control the Corporation’s business and activities and its operating expenses and capital expenditures, and shall have general authority to exercise all the powers necessary for the chief executive officer of the Corporation, all in accordance with basic policies established by and subject to the control of the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer may employ and discharge employees and agents of the Corporation, except such as shall be appointed by the

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Board, and the Chief Executive Officer may delegate these powers. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general authority to execute bonds, deeds and contracts in the name and on behalf of the Corporation.
     Section 7. President. In the absence of a designation of a Chief Executive Officer by the Directors, the President shall be the chief executive officer. The President shall have general authority to execute bonds, deeds and contracts in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Directors from time to time.
     Section 8. Vice President. In the absence of the President, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order of seniority designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president. The Vice President shall generally assist the Chairman of the Board and the President and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. The Directors may designate one or more Vice Presidents as Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or as Vice President for particular areas of responsibility.
     Section 9. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of the Stockholders and shall record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Stockholders and of the Board of Directors in a book to be kept for that purpose. The

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Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, required notice of all meetings of the Stockholders and the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall have custody of the stock certificate books and Stockholder records and such other books and records as the Board of Directors may direct. The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by the Secretary’s signature. The Board of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing thereof by the Secretary’s signature.
     Section 10. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors and shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, at its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of all the Treasurer’s transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. If required by the Directors, the Treasurer shall give the trust a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of the office and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of the Treasurer’s death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, moneys and other property of whatever kind in the Treasurer’s possession or under the Treasurer’s control belonging to the Corporation. The Treasurer shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or Chairman may from time to time prescribe.

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     Section 11. Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers. The Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the Secretary or Treasurer, respectively, or by the Chief Executive Officer or the Directors. The Assistant Treasurers shall, if required by the Directors, give bonds for the faithful performance of their duties in such sums and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Directors.
ARTICLE VII
CERTIFICATES OF STOCK
     Section 1. Form and Number. Every holder of stock in the Corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Vice President and countersigned by the Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary certifying the number of shares owned by the holder in the Corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation as if the officer, transfer agent or registrar were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Each certificate representing shares of stock which are restricted as to their transferability or voting powers, which are preferred or limited as to their dividends or as to their allocable portion of the assets upon liquidation or which are redeemable at the option of the Corporation, shall have a statement of such restriction, limitation, preference or redemption provision, or a summary thereof, plainly

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stated on the certificate. In lieu of such statement or summary, the Corporation may set forth upon the face or back of the certificate a statement that the Corporation will furnish to any Stockholder, upon request and without charge, a full statement of such information.
     Section 2. Lost Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct that a new stock certificate or certificates be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the owner claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or the owner’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as Indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
     Section 3. Transfer of Shares. Certificates shall be treated as negotiable, and title thereto and to the shares they represent shall be transferred by delivery thereof to the same extent as those of a Maryland stock corporation. No transfers of shares of the Company shall be made if (i) void ab initio pursuant to any provision of the Articles of Incorporation, (ii) the Board of Directors, pursuant to any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or other written agreement between or among any Stockholder(s) and the Corporation, shall have refused to permit the transfer of such shares, or (iii) the shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), or under applicable state blue-sky or securities laws, unless exemptions from the registration requirements of the Act and applicable state blue-sky or securities laws are, in the opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the Corporation, for the transferor,

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available. Permitted transfers of shares of the Corporation shall be made on the stock records of the Corporation only upon the instruction of the registered holder thereof, or by the registered holder’s attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary or with a transfer agent or transfer clerk, and upon surrender of the certificate or certificates, if issued, for such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock transfer power and the payment of all taxes thereon. Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate for shares accompanied by proper evidence of authority to transfer, as to any transfers not prohibited by any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or by action of the Board of Directors thereunder, the Corporation shall issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.
     Section 4. Fixing Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine the Stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of Stockholders or any adjournment thereof, to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which shall not be more than ninety (90) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of a Stockholders’ meeting, nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the payment of such dividends, the distribution or exercise of such rights or the taking of any other lawful action.
     In lieu of fixing a record date, the Directors may provide that the stock transfer books shall be closed for a stated period but not longer than twenty (20) days. If the stock transfer books are closed for the purpose of determining Stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of Stockholders, such books shall be closed for at least ten (10) days before the date of such meeting.

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     If no record date is fixed and the stock transfer books are not closed for the determination of Stockholders, (a) the record date for the determination of Stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of Stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day on which the notice of meeting is mailed or the 30th day before the meeting, whichever is the closer date to the meeting; and (b) the record date for the determination of Stockholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend or an allotment of any other rights shall be the close of business on the day on which the resolution of the Directors, declaring the dividend or allotment of rights, is adopted, but the payment or allotment may not be made more than sixty (60) days after the date on which the resolution is adopted.
     When a determination of Stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of Stockholders has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof, except when (i) the determination has been made through the closing of the transfer books and the stated period of closing has expired or (ii) the meeting is adjourned to a date more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the record date fixed for the original meeting, in either of which case a new record date shall be determined set forth herein.
     Section 5. Registered Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the record holder of any shares of stock of the Corporation as the owner thereof for all purposes, including all rights deriving from such shares, and except as required by law shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such shares or rights deriving from such shares, on the part of any other person, including, but without limiting the generality

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thereof, a purchaser, assignee or transferee of such shares or rights deriving from such shares, unless and until such purchaser, assignee, transferee or other person becomes the record holder of such shares, whether or not the Corporation shall have either actual or constructive notice of the interest of such purchaser, assignee, transferee or other person. Except as required by law, no such purchaser, assignee, transferee or other person shall be entitled to receive notice of the meetings of Stockholders, to vote at such meetings, to examine a complete list of the Stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, or to own, enjoy, and exercise any other property or rights deriving from such shares against the Corporation, until such purchaser, assignee, transferee or other person has become the record holder of such shares.
     Section 6. Fractional Shares; Issuance of Units. The Directors may issue fractional shares or provide for the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as they may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Directors may issue units consisting of different securities of the Corporation. Any security issued in a unit shall have the same characteristics as any identical securities issued by the Corporation, except that the Directors may provide that for a specified period securities of the Corporation issued in such units may be transferred on the books of the Corporation only in such units.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
     Section 1. Right to Indemnification. To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, the Corporation shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, shall pay or reimburse

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reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation and who is made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (b) any individual who, while a director of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner or trustee of such corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, the Corporation shall provide such indemnification and advance for expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation.
     Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Bylaws or Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation inconsistent with this Article, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding paragraph with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.
     Section 2. Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation. With the approval of the Board of Directors, the Corporation shall, to the maximum extent permitted by the Maryland law in effect from time to time, and to such further extent as it shall deem appropriate under the circumstances, provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses as described in Section 1 above, to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation.

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     Section 3. Insurance. The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, manager, member, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the specified statutory authority, the Articles of Incorporation or the provisions of this Article.
     Section 4. Reliance on Certain Information. In performing a Director’s duties, a Director shall be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data, in each case prepared or presented by any of the following:
          (a) One or more officers or employees of the Corporation whom the Director reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented.
          (b) A lawyer, certified public accountant, or other person as to matters which a Director reasonably believes to be within the person’s professional or expert competence.
          (c) A committee of the Board of Directors upon which the Director does not serve, as to matters within its designated authority, which the Director reasonably believes to merit confidence; provided however that a Director shall not be considered to be acting in good faith if the Director has any knowledge concerning the matter in question that would cause the Director’s reliance to be unwarranted.

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ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
     Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be from January 1 through December 31.
     Section 2. Deposits; Checks. The Corporation shall establish a bank account for deposit of the funds of the Corporation and the drawing of checks or drafts thereon. All checks or drafts drawn on such account shall require the signature of such officer or officers, agent or agents of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Directors. The appointment of additional signatories of the bank account and the opening of additional bank accounts shall require the approval of the Board of Directors or such officers of the Corporation as shall from time to time be determined by the Directors.
     Section 3. Contracts. The Directors may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document executed by one or more of the Directors or by an authorized person shall be valid and binding upon the Directors and upon the Corporation when authorized or ratified by action of the Directors.
     Section 4. Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Maryland.” The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

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ARTICLE X
[Reserved]
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS
     Section 1. Articles of Incorporation. Subject to the terms of the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, these Bylaws may be repealed or amended, or new Bylaws adopted, by the Board of Directors; provided, however that the Board of Directors shall have no power or authority to modify, alter or repeal Section 3 or Section 5(a) of Article III, Section 1 of Article IV or this Article XI, and that the affirmative vote of that portion of the then outstanding Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors necessary to approve an amendment to the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation pursuant to the Maryland General Corporation Law shall be required to approve such modification, alteration or repeal.

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CERTIFICATION
OF
FIRST AMENDMENT TO
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC.
     I, Julian E. Whitehurst, certify that I am the Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary of Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), that I am duly authorized to make and deliver this certification, and that the attached Exhibit A reflects a true and correct copy of the First Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation adopted by the Corporation’s Board of Directors on April 28, 2006, and effective as of May 1, 2006.
Dated: April 28, 2006
         
     
  /s/ Julian E. Whitehurst    
  Julian E. Whitehurst   
  Executive Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer and Secretary 
 

 


 

         
EXHIBIT A

 


 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC.
     1.     This First Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc. (the “Bylaws”) shall be effective as of May 1, 2006.
     2.     Article I, Section 1. is hereby amended by striking the first sentence and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
             “The registered office of National Retail Properties, Inc. (the “Corporation”) shall be 300 East Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.”
     3.     All references in the Bylaws to the “Corporation” shall mean National Retail Properties, Inc.
     In Witness Whereof, this First Amendment is executed as of the 28th day of April, 2006.
         
  COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY, INC.,
a Maryland corporation
 
 
  By:   /s/ Julian E. Whitehurst    
    Julian E. Whitehurst   
    Executive Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer and Secretary 
 
 

 

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