mgrc-ex31_7.htm
Exhibit 3.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
McGRATH RENTCORP,
a California corporation
(Amended and Restated as of January 4, 2021)
1. OFFICES
1.1. Principal Office. The Board of Directors shall fix the location of the principal executive office of the corporation at any place within or outside the State of California. If the principal executive office is located outside this state, and the corporation has one or more business offices in this state, the Board of Directors shall fix and designate a principal business office in the State of California.
1.2. Other Offices. Branch or subordinate offices may at any time be established by the Board of Directors at any place or places where the corporation is qualified to do business.
2. MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
2.1. Place of Meetings. All meetings of shareholders shall be held either at the principal executive office of the corporation or at any other place within or without the State of California designated by the Board of Directors. In the absence of any such designation, shareholders’ meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation.
2.2. Annual Meetings. The Annual Meeting of shareholders shall be held each year on a date and at a time designated by the Board of Directors. In the absence of such designation, the Annual Meeting of shareholders shall be held on the first Thursday of June in each year at 2:00 p.m. However, if this day falls on a legal holiday, then the meeting shall be held at the same time and place on the next succeeding full business day. At such meeting, directors shall be elected, reports of the affairs of the corporation shall be considered, and any other proper business may be transacted.
2.3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the shareholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President, or by the holders of shares in the aggregate entitled to cast not less than 10 percent of the votes at the meeting.
If a special meeting is desired to be called by any person or persons other than the Board of Directors, their request shall be made in writing, specifying the time of such meeting and the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted. The written request shall then be delivered personally or by registered mail or by telegraphic or other facsimile transmission to the Chairman of the Board, President, any Vice President, or Secretary of the corporation. The officer receiving the request shall cause notice to be promptly given to the shareholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.4 and 2.5 of these Bylaws, that a meeting will be held at the time requested by the person or persons calling the meeting, not less than thirty-five (35) nor more than sixty (60) days after the receipt of the request. If the notice is not given within twenty (20) days after receipt of the request, the person or persons requesting the meeting may give the notice. Nothing contained in this paragraph shall be construed as limiting, fixing or affecting the time when a meeting of shareholders called by action of the Board of Directors may be held.
2.4. Notice of Shareholders’ Meetings. All notices of meetings of shareholders shall be sent or otherwise given to each shareholder entitled to vote thereat in accordance with Section 2.5 of these Bylaws not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. The notice shall specify the place, date and hour of the meeting and (i) in the case of a special meeting, the general nature of the business to be transacted, and no other business may be transacted, or (ii) in the case of the annual meeting, those matters which the Board of Directors, at the time of giving the notice, intends to present for action by the shareholders. The notice of any meeting at which Directors are to be elected shall include the name of any nominee or nominees whom, at the time of the notice, management intends to present for election.
If shareholder action, other than unanimous approval of those entitled to vote, is proposed to be taken at any meeting for approval of (i) a contract or transaction in which a director has a direct or indirect financial interest, pursuant to Section 310 of the California Corporations Code, (ii) an amendment of the Articles of Incorporation, pursuant to Section 902 of that Code, (iii) a
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reorganization of the corporation, pursuant to Section 1201 of that Code, (iv) a voluntary dissolution of the corporation, pursuant to Section 1900 of that Code, or (v) a plan of distribution other than in accordance with the rights of outstanding preferred shares, pursuant to Section 2007 of that Code, then the notice shall also state the general nature of that proposal.
2.5. Manner of Giving Notice; Affidavit of Notice. Written notice of any meeting of shareholders shall be given to each shareholder entitled to vote thereat either personally or by first class mail or other means of written communication, charges prepaid, addressed to the shareholder at the address of that shareholder appearing on the books of the corporation or given by the shareholder to the corporation for the purpose of notice. If no such address appears on the corporation’s books or is given, notice shall be deemed to have been given if sent to that shareholder by first class mail or other means of written communication to the corporation’s principal executive office, or if published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where that office is located. Notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally or deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written communication.
If any notice addressed to a shareholder at the address of that shareholder appearing on the books of the corporation is returned to the corporation by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice to the shareholder at that address, all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if these shall be available to the shareholder on written demand of the shareholder at the principal executive office of the corporation for a period of one year from the date of the giving of notice.
An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any shareholders’ meeting shall be executed by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, or any transfer agent of the corporation giving the notice, and shall be filed and maintained in the Minute Book of the Corporation.
2.6. Quorum. The presence in person or by proxy of shareholders entitled to vote a majority of the voting shares of the corporation at any meeting of shareholders shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The shareholders present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by at least a majority of the shares required to constitute a quorum.
2.7. Adjourned Meetings and Notice Thereof. Whether or not a quorum is present, any shareholders’ meeting may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the shares represented at that meeting, either in person or by proxy, but in the absence of a quorum no other business may be transacted at that meeting, except as provided in Section 2.6 of these Bylaws.
When any meeting of shareholders is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, or unless the adjournment is for more than forty-five (45) days from the date set for the original meeting, in which case the Board of Directors shall set a new record date. When required, notice of any such adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.4 and 2.5 of these Bylaws. At any adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.
2.8. Voting. Except as provided in Section 708 of the California Corporations Code, each outstanding share of this corporation, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders. The shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 of these Bylaws, subject to the provisions of Sections 702, 703 and 704 of the California Corporations Code (relating to voting by fiduciaries, corporate shareholders, or shares standing in joint ownership). The shareholders’ vote may be by voice vote or by ballot; provided, however, that any election for directors must be by ballot if demanded by any shareholder at the meeting and before the voting has begun. Any shareholder entitled to vote on a proposal may vote part of the shares in favor of the proposal and refrain from voting the remaining shares or vote them against the proposal, but, if the shareholder fails to specify the number of shares which the shareholder is voting affirmatively, it will be conclusively presumed that the shareholder’s approving vote is with respect to all shares which the shareholder is entitled to vote.
If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on any matter (other than the election of directors) shall be the act of the shareholders unless the vote of a greater number or voting by classes is required by the California Corporations Code or by the Articles of Incorporation.
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At a shareholders’ meeting at which Directors are to be elected, no shareholders shall be entitled to cumulate votes (i.e., cast for any one or more candidates a number of votes greater than the number of the shareholder’s shares) unless such candidate’s or candidates’ names have been placed in nomination prior to commencement of the voting and a shareholder has given notice prior to commencement of the voting of the shareholder’s intention to cumulate votes. If any shareholder has given such a notice, then every shareholder entitled to vote may cumulate votes for candidates in nomination and give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of votes to which that shareholder’s shares are entitled, or distribute the shareholder’s shares on the same principle among any or all of the candidates, as the shareholder thinks fit. The candidates receiving the highest number of affirmative votes, up to the number of directors to be elected, shall be elected. A shareholder may not cumulate his votes for any candidate whose name was not placed in nomination prior to the commencement of the voting.
2.9. Waiver of Notice or Consent by Absent Shareholders. The transactions of any meeting of shareholders, however called and noticed, and wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each person entitled to vote, who was not present in person or by proxy, signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to the holding of the meeting, or an approval of the minutes thereof. The waiver of notice or consent need not specify either the business to be transacted or the purpose of any annual or special meeting of shareholders, except that if action is taken or proposed to be taken for approval of any of those matters specified in the second paragraph of Section 2.4 of these Bylaws, the waiver of notice or consent shall state the general nature of the proposal. All such waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
Attendance by a person at a meeting shall also constitute a waiver of notice of that meeting, except when the person objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters not included in the notice of the meeting if that objection is expressly made at the meeting.
2.10. Shareholder Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting. Any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on that action were present and voted. In the case of the election of directors, such a consent shall be effective only if signed by the holders of all outstanding shares entitled to vote for the election of directors; provided, however, that a director may be elected at any time to fill a vacancy on the board of directors that has not been filled by the directors, by the written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote for the election of directors. All such consents shall be filed with the Secretary of the corporation and shall be maintained in the corporate records. Any shareholder giving a written consent, or the shareholder’s proxy holders, or a transferee of the shares or a personal representative of the shareholder or their respective proxy holders, may revoke the consent by a writing received by the Secretary of the corporation before written consents of the number of shares required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with the Secretary, but may not do so thereafter. Such revocation is effective upon its receipt by the Secretary.
If the consents of all shareholders entitled to vote have not been solicited in writing, and if the unanimous written consent of all such shareholders shall not have been received, the Secretary shall give prompt notice of the corporate action approved by the shareholders without a meeting. This notice shall be given in the manner specified in Section 2.5 of these Bylaws. In the case of approval of (i) contracts or transactions in which a director has a direct or indirect financial interest, pursuant to Section 310 of the California Corporations Code, (ii) indemnification of agents of the corporation, pursuant to Section 317 of that Code, (iii) reorganization of the corporation, pursuant to Section 1201 of that Code, and (iv) a distribution in dissolution other than in accordance with the rights of outstanding preferred shares, pursuant to Section 2007 of that Code, the notice shall be given at least ten (10) days before the consummation of any action authorized by that approval.
Any form of written consent distributed to 10 or more shareholders of this corporation shall afford an opportunity on the form of written consent to specify a choice between approval, disapproval or abstention as to each matter or group of related matters the approval for which the written consent is solicited, other than elections to office.
2.11. Record Date for Shareholder Notice, Voting, and Giving Consents. For purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of any meeting or to vote or entitled to give consent to corporate action without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of any such meeting nor more than sixty (60) days before any such action without a meeting; and in this event only shareholders of record on the date so fixed are entitled to notice and to vote or to give consents, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation after the record date, except as otherwise provided in the California General Corporation Law.
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If the Board of Directors does not so fix a record date:
(a) The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
(b) The record date for determining shareholders entitled to give consent to the corporate action in writing without a meeting, (i) when no prior action by the Board has been taken, shall be the day on which the first written consent is given, or (ii) when prior action of the Board has been taken, shall be at the close of business on the date on which the Board adopts the resolution relating to that action, or the sixtieth (60th) day before the date of such action, whichever is later.
2.12. Proxies. Every person entitled to vote shares shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or more agents authorized by a written proxy signed by the person and filed with the Secretary of the corporation. A proxy shall be deemed signed if the shareholder’s name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature, typewriting, telegraphic transmission, or otherwise) by the shareholder or the shareholder’s attorney in fact. A validly executed proxy which does not state that it is irrevocable shall continue in full force and effect unless (i) revoked by the person executing it, before the vote pursuant to that proxy, by a writing delivered to the corporation stating that the proxy is revoked, or by a subsequent proxy executed by, or by attendance at the meeting and voting in person by, the person executing the proxy; or (ii) written notice of the death or incapacity of the maker of that proxy is received by the corporation before the vote pursuant to that proxy is counted; provided, however, that no proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date of the proxy, unless otherwise provided in the proxy. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Sections 705(e) and 705(f) of the California Corporations Code.
Any form of proxy distributed to 10 or more shareholders of this corporation shall afford an opportunity on the proxy to specify a choice between approval, disapproval or abstention as to each matter or group of related matters intended to be acted upon at the meeting for which the proxy is solicited, other than elections to office.
2.13. Inspectors of Election. Before any meeting of shareholders, the Board of Directors may appoint any persons other than nominees for office to act as inspectors of election at the meeting or its adjournment. If no inspectors of election are appointed, the Chairman of the meeting may, and on the request of any shareholder or a shareholder’s proxy shall, appoint inspectors of election at the meeting. The number of inspectors shall be either one (1) or three (3). If inspectors are appointed at a meeting on the request of one or more shareholders or proxies, the holders of a majority of shares or their proxies present at the meeting shall determine whether one (1) or three (3) inspectors are to be appointed. If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the Chairman of the meeting may, and upon the request of any shareholder or a shareholder’s proxy shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy.
As prescribed by California Corporations Code Section 707, these inspectors shall:
(a) Determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the authenticity, validity, and effect of proxies;
(b) Receive votes, ballots, or consents;
(c) Hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote;
(d) Count and tabulate all votes or consents;
(e) Determine when the polls shall close;
(f) Determine the result; and
(g) Do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders.
3. DIRECTORS
3.1. Powers. Subject to the provisions of the California General Corporation Law and any limitations in the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws relating to action required to be approved by the shareholders or by the outstanding shares, the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.
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Without prejudice to these general powers, and subject to the same limitations, the directors shall have the power to:
(a) Select and remove all officers, agents and employees of the corporation; prescribe any powers and duties for them that are consistent with law, with the Articles of Incorporation, and with these Bylaws; fix their compensation; and require from them security for faithful service.
(b) Conduct, manage, and control the affairs and business of the corporation, and to make such rules and regulations therefor not inconsistent with law, or with the Articles of Incorporation, or the Bylaws, as they may deem to be in the best interests of the corporation.
(c) Change the principal executive office or the principal business office in the State of California from one location to another; cause the corporation to be qualified to do business in any other state, territory, dependency, or country and conduct business within or without the State of California; and designate any place within or without the State of California for the holding of any shareholders’ meeting or meetings, including annual meetings.
(d) Adopt, make, and use a corporate seal; prescribe the forms of certificates of stock; and alter the form of the seal and certificates.
(e) Authorize the issuance of shares of stock of the corporation on any lawful terms, in consideration of money paid, labor done, services actually rendered, debts or securities cancelled, or tangible or intangible property actually received.
(f) Borrow money and incur indebtedness on behalf of the corporation, and cause to be executed and delivered for the corporation’s purposes, in the corporate name, promissory notes, bonds, debentures, deeds of trust, mortgages, pledges, hypothecations, and other evidences of debt and securities.
3.2. Number of Directors. The number of directors of the corporation shall be not less than five (5) nor more than nine (9). The exact number of directors within the range of five (5) to nine (9) shall be as determined by the Board of Directors by action of the Board of Directors; such action will not require an amendment to this Section 3.2. The indefinite number of directors may be changed, or a definite number fixed without provision for an indefinite number, by an amendment to this Bylaw duly adopted by the vote or written consent of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.
3.3. Election and Term of Office. The Directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of shareholders, but if any such annual meeting is not held, or the Directors are not elected thereat, the Directors may be elected at any special meeting of shareholders held for that purpose. Each Director, including a Director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the next annual or special meeting of shareholders at which Directors are elected and until their successors are elected and qualified.
3.4. Vacancies. A vacancy or vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist in the event of the death, resignation, or removal of any director, or if the Board of Directors by resolution declares vacant the office of the Director who has been declared of unsound mind by an order of court or convicted of a felony, or if the authorized number of directors is increased, or if the shareholders fail, at any meeting of shareholders at which any Director or Directors are elected, to elect the number of directors to be voted for at that meeting.
Any Director may resign effective on giving written notice to the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Secretary, or the Board of Directors, unless the notice specifies a later time for that resignation to become effective. If the resignation of a Director is effective at a future time, the Board of Directors may elect a successor to take office when the resignation becomes effective.
Vacancies in the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining Directors, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining Director, except that a vacancy created by the removal of a Director by the vote or written consent of the shareholders or by court order may be filled only by the vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote represented at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present, or by the written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.
The shareholders may elect a Director or Directors at any time to fill any vacancy or vacancies not filled by the Directors, but any such election by written consent shall require the consent of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.
No reduction of the authorized number of Directors shall have the effect of removing any Director before that Director’s term of office expires.
3.5. Place of Meetings and Meetings by Telephone. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any place within or outside the State of California that has been designated from time to time by resolution of the Board. In the absence of such a designation, regular meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation. Special meetings of the Board shall be held at any place within or outside the State of California that has been designated in the notice of the meeting or, if not stated in the
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notice or there is no notice, at the principal executive office of the corporation. Any meeting, regular or special, may be held by conference telephone or similar communication equipment, so long as all Directors participating in the meeting can hear one another, and all such Directors shall be deemed to be present in person at the meeting.
3.6. Annual Meeting. Immediately following each annual meeting of shareholders, the Board of Directors shall hold a regular meeting for the purpose of organization, any desired election of officers, and the transaction of other business. Notice of this meeting shall not be required.
3.7. Other Regular Meetings. Other regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held without call at such time as shall from time to time be fixed by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that if any regular meeting should fall on a legal holiday, then said meeting shall be held at the same time and place on the next day thereafter which is not a legal holiday. Such regular meetings may be held without notice.
3.8. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board or the President or any Vice President or the Secretary or any two Directors.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered personally or by telephone to each Director or sent by first-class mail or telegram, charges prepaid, addressed to each Director at that Director’s address as it is shown on the records of the corporation. In case the notice is mailed, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four (4) days before the time of the holding of the meeting. In case the notice is delivered personally, or by telephone or telegram, it shall be delivered personally or by telephone or to the telegraph company at least forty-eight (48) hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be communicated either to the Director or to a person at the office of the Director who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate it to the Director. The notice need not specify the purpose of the meeting.
3.9. Quorum. A majority of the authorized number of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as provided in Section 3.11 of these Bylaws. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the Directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of Section 310 of the California Corporations Code (as to approval of contracts or transactions in which a Director has a direct or indirect material financial interest), Section 311 of that Code (as to appointment of committees), and Section 317(e) of that Code (as to indemnification of Directors). A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of Directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.
3.10. Waiver of Notice. The transactions of any meeting of the Board of Directors, however called and noticed or wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice if a quorum is present and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the Directors not present signs a written waiver of notice, a consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the Minutes. The waiver of notice or consent need not specify the purpose of the meeting. All such waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the Minutes of the meetings. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any Director who attends the meeting without protesting, before or at its commencement, the lack of notice to that Director.
3.11. Adjournment. A majority of the Directors present, whether or not constituting a quorum, may adjourn any meeting of the Board to another time and place.
3.12. Notice of Adjournment. Notice of the time and place of holding an adjourned meeting need not be given, unless the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours, in which case notice of the time and place shall be given before the time of the adjourned meeting, to the Directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment.
3.13. Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board shall individually or collectively consent in writing to that action. Such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors. Such written consent or consents shall be filed with the Minutes of the proceedings of the Board.
3.14. Fees and Compensation of Directors. Directors and members of committees may receive such compensation, if any, for their services, and such reimbursement of expenses, as may be fixed or determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. This shall not be construed to preclude any Director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee, or otherwise, and receiving compensation for those services.
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4. COMMITTEES
4.1. Committees of Directors. The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the authorized number of Directors, designate one or more committees, each consisting of two or more Directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Board may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent member at any meeting of the committee. Any committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board, shall have all the authority of the Board, except with respect to:
(a) the approval of any action which, under the General Corporation Law of California, also requires the vote or consent of the shareholders;
(b) the filling of vacancies on the Board of Directors or on any committee;
(c) the fixing of compensation of the Directors for serving on the Board or on any committee;
(d) the amendment or repeal of Bylaws or the adoption of new Bylaws;
(e) the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board of Directors which by its express terms is not so amendable or repealable;
(f) a distribution to the shareholders of the corporation, except at a rate or in a periodic amount or within a price range determined by the Board of Directors; or
(g) the appointment of any other committees of the Board of Directors or the members of these committees.
5. OFFICERS
5.1. Officers. The officers of the corporation shall be a President, a Secretary, and a Chief Financial Officer. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a Chairman of the Board, one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries, one or more Assistant Financial Officers, and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with these Bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
5.2. Election of Officers. The officers of the corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 or Section 5.5 of these Bylaws, shall be chosen by the Board of Directors, and each shall serve at the pleasure of the Board, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.
5.3. Subordinate Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint, and may empower the President to appoint, such other officers as the business of the corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority and perform such duties as are provided in the Bylaws or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
5.4. Removal and Resignation of Officers. Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board of Directors, at any regular or special meeting of the Board, or, except in case of an officer chosen by the Board of Directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Board of Directors.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice; and, unless otherwise specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.
5.5. Vacancies in Offices. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in these Bylaws for regular appointments to that office.
5.6. Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, elect a Chairman of the Board from among its members. He shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors at which he is present and shall exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned to him by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the Bylaws.
5.7. President. Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the Board of Directors to the Chairman of the Board, if there be such an officer, the President shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision,
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direction, and control of the business and officers of the corporation. He shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors not presided over by the Chairman of the Board. He shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of president of a corporation, shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Bylaws and shall be primarily responsible for carrying out all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors.
5.8. Vice President. In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice Presidents, if any, in order of their rank as fixed by the Board of Directors, or if not ranked, the Vice President designated by the Board of Directors, shall perform all 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 Presidents shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the Board of Directors or the Bylaws, and the President or the Chairman of the Board.
5.9. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal office, at the office of the corporation’s counsel or at such other place as the Board of Directors may order, a Book of Minutes of all meetings and actions of Directors, committees of directors, and shareholders, with the time and place of holding, whether regular or special, and if special, how authorized, the notice thereof given, the names of those present at Directors’ meetings or committee meetings, the number of shares present or represented at shareholders’ meetings and the proceedings thereof.
The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal office or at the office of the corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, a share register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of all shareholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and dates of certificates issued for the same, and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.
The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors required by the Bylaws or by law to be given, and he shall keep the seal of the corporation, if one be adopted, in safe custody, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or by the Bylaws.
5.10. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, surplus, retained earnings, and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any Director.
The Chief Financial Officer shall deposit all moneys and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the corporation with such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. He shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, shall render to the President and Directors, whenever they request it, an account of all of his transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Bylaws.
6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS,
EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS
6.1. Indemnification. The corporation may, to the maximum extent permitted by Section 317 of the California General Corporation Law, indemnify each of its “agents” (as defined in Section 317(a) of the California General Corporation Law) against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding against such agent arising by reason of the fact any such person is or was an agent of the corporation. Except with respect to indemnification of agents which is mandatory under Section 317(d) of the California General Corporation Law, such indemnification shall only be effective:
(a) if “approval by the shareholders” (as defined in Section 153 of the California General Corporation Law) in a particular instance;
(b) if approved by the disinterested vote of the Board of Directors in a particular instance; or
(c) if authorized by a written agreement between the corporation and the agent to be indemnified entered into prior to assertion of the claim giving rise to indemnity thereunder by the corporation with any director of the corporation (in any or all of his or her corporate capacities) or with such other agent or agents as the Board of Directors shall approve.
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6.2. Required Approval. Except as provided in Section 317(d) of the California General Corporation Law, any indemnification under Section 6.1 of these Bylaws shall be made by this corporation only if authorized in the specific case (on a determination that indemnification of the agent is proper under the circumstances because the agent has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 317(b) or (c) of the California General Corporation Law) by:
(a) a majority vote of a quorum of the Board consisting of directors who are not parties to the proceeding;
(b) “approval of the shareholders” (as defined in Section 153 of the California General Corporation Law), with the shares owned by the person to be indemnified not being considered outstanding or entitled to vote thereon;
(c) the court in which the proceeding is or was pending, on application made by this corporation or the agent or the attorney or other person rendering services in connection with the defense, whether or not such application by the agent, attorney, or other person is opposed by this corporation; or
(d) such other method as Section 317 of the California General Corporation Law shall allow.
6.3. Advance of Expenses. Expenses incurred in defending any proceeding described in Section 6.1 of these Bylaws may be advanced by this corporation before the final disposition of the proceeding on receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the agent to repay the amount of the advance if it shall be determined ultimately that the agent is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of these Bylaws.
6.4. Insurance. This corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any agent of the corporation against any liability asserted against or incurred by the agent in such capacity or arising out of the agent’s status as such, whether or not this corporation would have the power to indemnify the agent against that liability under Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of these Bylaws. Notwithstanding Section 6.1 above, the corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any agent, to the extent any amount subject to indemnification thereunder is covered by insurance payable to such agent, the premiums for which are paid by the corporation.
6.5. No Limitation of Other Rights. The indemnification provided by this Section 6 above shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under Section 6.6 below to the extent such additional rights to indemnification are authorized in the corporation’s Articles of Incorporation and Section 6.6 below. The rights to indemnity contained in Sections 6.1 and 6.4 above shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of the person. Nothing contained in Sections 6.1 through 6.4 above shall affect any right to indemnification to which persons other than the directors and officers may be entitled by contract or otherwise.
6.6. Additional Indemnification. If expressly authorized in the corporation’s Articles of Incorporation, the corporation may provide indemnification of agents in excess of the indemnification otherwise permitted by Section 317 of the California General Corporation Law and to the fullest extent permitted by California law. Such additional indemnification shall only be effective (i) if “approved by the shareholders” (as defined in Section 153 of the California General Corporation Law) in a particular instance, (ii) if approved by the disinterested vote of the Board of Directors in a particular instance or (iii) if authorized by a written agreement between the corporation and the agent to be indemnified entered into prior to assertion of the claim giving rise to indemnity thereunder by the corporation with any director of the corporation (in any or all of his or her corporate capacities) or with such other agent or agents as the Board of Directors shall approve; provided, however, that no such agent shall be indemnified for any acts, omissions or transactions, or under circumstances, as to which indemnification is prohibited by Section 204(a)(11) of the California General Corporation Law, as such Section may be amended from time to time.
6.7. Amendment. Any amendment, repeal or modification of any provision of this Section 6 by the shareholders or the Board of Directors shall not adversely affect any right or protection of an agent of the corporation at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.
7. RECORDS AND REPORTS
7.1. Maintenance, Inspection and Location of Share Register. The corporation shall keep at its principal executive office, or at the office of its transfer agent or registrar, if either be appointed and as determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, a record of its shareholders, giving the names and addresses of all shareholders and the number and class of shares held by each shareholder.
A shareholder or shareholders of the corporation holding at least five percent (5%) in the aggregate of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation may (i) inspect and copy the records of shareholders’ names and addresses and shareholdings during usual business hours on five days’ prior written demand on the corporation, and (ii) obtain from the transfer agent of the corporation, on
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written demand and on the tender of such transfer agent’s usual charges for such list, a list of the shareholders’ names and addresses, who are entitled to vote for the election of directors, and their shareholdings as of the most recent record date for which that list has been compiled or as of a date specified by the shareholder after the date of demand. This list shall be made available to any such shareholder by the transfer agent on or before the later of five (5) days after the demand is received or the date specified in the demand as the date as of which the list is to be compiled. The record of shareholders shall also be open to inspection and copying on the written demand of any shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate, at any time during usual business hours, for a purpose reasonably related to the holder’s interests as a shareholder or as the holder of a voting trust certificate. Any inspection and copying under this Section may be made in person or by an agent or attorney of the shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate making the demand.
7.2. Maintenance, Inspection and Location of Bylaws. The corporation shall keep at its principal executive office, the original or a copy of these Bylaws as amended to date, which shall be open to inspection by the shareholders at all reasonable times during office hours.
7.3. Maintenance, Inspection and Location of Other Corporate Records. The accounting books and records and Minutes of proceedings of the shareholders and the Board of Directors and any committee or committees of the Board of Directors shall be kept at such place or places designated by the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such designation, at the principal executive office of the corporation. The Minutes shall be kept in written form and the accounting books and records shall be kept either in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form. The Minutes and accounting books and records shall be open to inspection upon the written demand of any shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate, at any reasonable time during usual business hours, for a purpose reasonably related to the holder’s interests as a shareholder or as the holder of a voting trust certificate. The inspection may be made in person or by an agent or attorney, and shall include the right to copy and make extracts. These rights of inspection shall extend to the records of each subsidiary corporation of the corporation.
7.4. Inspection by Directors. Every director shall have the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect all books, records, and documents of every kind and the physical properties of the corporation and each of its subsidiary corporations. This inspection by a director may be made in person or by an agent or attorney, and the right of inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts of documents.
7.5. Annual Report to Shareholders. The Board of Directors shall cause an annual report to be sent to the shareholders not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of the fiscal year adopted by the corporation. This report shall be sent at least fifteen (15) days before the annual meeting of shareholders to be held during the next fiscal year and in the manner specified in Section 2.5 of these Bylaws for giving notice to shareholders of the corporation. The annual report shall contain a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year and an income statement and statement of changes in financial position for the fiscal year, accompanied by any report of independent accountants or, if there is no such report, the certificate of an authorized officer of the corporation that the statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the corporation. The annual report shall also contain such further information as required by Section 1501(b) of the California Corporations Code.
7.6. Financial Statements. A copy of any annual financial statement and any income statement of the corporation for each quarterly period of each fiscal year, and any accompanying balance sheet of the corporation as of the end of each such period, that has been prepared by the corporation shall be kept on file in the principal executive office of the corporation for twelve (12) months, and each such statement shall be exhibited at all reasonable times to any shareholder demanding an examination of any such statement or a copy shall be mailed to any such shareholder.
If a shareholder or shareholders holding at least five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of any class of stock of the corporation makes a written request to the corporation for an income statement of the corporation for the three-month, six-month or nine-month period of the then current fiscal year ended more than thirty (30) days before the date of the request, and a balance sheet of the corporation as of the end of that period, the Chief Financial Officer shall cause that statement to be prepared, if not already prepared, and shall deliver personally or mail that statement or statements to the person making the request within thirty (30) days after the receipt of the request. If the corporation has not sent to the shareholders its annual report for the last fiscal year, this report shall likewise be delivered or mailed to the shareholder or shareholders within thirty (30) days after the request.
The corporation shall also, upon the written request of any shareholder, mail to the shareholder a copy of the last annual, semi-annual, or quarterly income statement which it has prepared, and a balance sheet as of the end of that period.
The quarterly income statements and balance sheets referred to in this Section shall be accompanied by the report, if any, of any independent accountants engaged by the corporation or the certificate of an authorized officer of the corporation that the financial statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the corporation. All financial statements are to be prepared on a consolidated basis if the corporation has subsidiaries.
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7.7. Annual Statement of General Information. The corporation shall, during the period in each year as provided for in Section 1502 of the California Corporations Code, file with the Secretary of State of the State of California, on the prescribed form, a statement setting forth the authorized number of directors, the number of vacancies on the board, if any, the names and complete business or residence addresses of all incumbent directors, the names and complete business or residence addresses of the Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, the street address of its principal executive office or principal business office in this state, and the general type of business constituting the principal business activity of the corporation, together with a designation of the agent of the corporation for the purpose of service of process, all in compliance with Section 1502 of the California Corporations Code.
8. GENERAL CORPORATE MATTERS
8.1. Record Date for Purposes Other than Notice and Voting. For purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action (other than action by shareholders by written consent without a meeting), the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days before any such action, and in that case only shareholders of record on the date so fixed are entitled to receive the dividend, distribution, or allotment of rights or to exercise the rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation after the record date so fixed, except as otherwise provided in the California General Corporation Law.
If the Board of Directors does not so fix a record date, the record date for determining shareholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the applicable resolution or the sixtieth (60th) day before the date of that action, whichever is later.
8.2. Checks, Drafts, Evidences of Indebtedness. All checks, drafts, or other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, issued in the name of or payable to the corporation, shall be signed or endorsed by such person or persons and in such manner as, from time to time, shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such determination, by the President and the Secretary or the Chief Financial Officer.
8.3. Corporate Contracts and Instruments; How Executed. The Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, may authorize one or more officers, employees, or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and this authority may be general or confined to specific instances; and, unless so authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent, or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
8.4. Certificates; Direct Registration System. Shares of the Corporation’s stock may be certificated or uncertificated, as provided under California law. Any certificates that are issued shall be signed in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board or Vice Chairman of the Board or the President or Vice President and by the Chief Financial Officer or any Assistant Financial Officer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares and the class or series of shares owned by the shareholder. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on a certificate shall have ceased to be that officer, transfer agent, or registrar before that certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if that person were an officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue. Shares of the Corporation’s capital stock may also be evidenced by registration in the holder’s name in uncertificated, book-entry form on the books of the Corporation in accordance with a direct registration system approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission and by the NASDAQ or any securities exchange on which the stock of the Corporation may from time to time be traded.
8.5. Lost Certificates. Except as provided herein, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace an old certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the corporation and cancelled at the same time. The Board of Directors may, in case any share certificate or certificate for any other security is lost, stolen or destroyed, authorize the issuance of a replacement certificate or uncertificated shares in place of any certificate or certificates previously issued by the Corporation on such terms and conditions as the Board may require, including provision for indemnification of the Corporation secured by a bond or other adequate security sufficient to protect the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it, including any expense or liability, on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of the certificate or the issuance of the replacement certificate or the uncertificated shares.
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8.6. Representation of Shares of Other Corporations. The Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice President, or any other person authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors or by any of the foregoing designated officers, is authorized to vote on behalf of the corporation any and all shares of any other corporation or corporations, foreign or domestic, standing in the name of the corporation. The authority granted to these officers to vote or represent on behalf of the corporation any and all shares held by the corporation in any other corporation or corporations may be exercised by any of these officers in person or by any person authorized to do so by a proxy duly executed by these officers.
8.7. Construction and Definitions. Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the California General Corporation Law shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” refers to corporations and other entities as well as to natural persons.
9. AMENDMENTS
9.1. Amendment by Shareholders. New Bylaws may be adopted or these Bylaws may be amended or repealed by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.
9.2. Amendment by Directors. Subject to the rights of the shareholders as provided in Section 9.1 hereof, bylaws may be adopted, amended, or repealed by the Board of Directors, except that the Board of Directors may adopt a bylaw or amendment of a bylaw changing the authorized number of directors only for the purpose of fixing the exact number of directors within the limits specified in Section 3.2 of these Bylaws.
CERTIFICATION
I, the undersigned, do hereby certify:
(1) That I am the duly elected and acting Secretary of McGrath RentCorp, a California corporation; and
(2) That the foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of the Bylaws of the corporation with all amendments to date of this Certificate.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said corporation this 4th day of January, 2021.
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/s/ Melodie Craft |
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Melodie Craft |
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Secretary |
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