committee requires the vote of a majority of the authorized number of directors. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the board, shall have all the authority of the board, except with respect to:
MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES. Meetings and action of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of Article III of these bylaws, Sections 3.5 (place of meetings), 3.7 (regular meetings), 3.8 (special meetings and notice), 3.9 (quorum), 3.10 (waiver of notice), 3.11 (adjournment), 3.12 (notice of adjournment) and 3.13 (action without meeting), with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the board of directors and its members, except that the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined by resolution of the board of directors as well as by resolution of the committee; special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the board of directors; and notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The board of directors may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.
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 treasurers, and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of this Article V. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
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 this Article V, 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.
SUBORDINATE OFFICERS, ETC. 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.
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 thereof, 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 such resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of such notice or at any later time specified therein; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any such resignation is with out prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.
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 such office.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The chairman of the board, if such an officer be elected, shall, if present, preside at all meetings of the board of directors and 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. If there is no president, the chairman of the board shall in addition be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in Section 5.7 of this Article V.
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 be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the board of directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and the officers of the corporation. He shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and, in the absence of the chairman of the board, or if there be none, at all meetings of the board of directors. He shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of president of a corporation, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or the bylaws.
VICE PRESIDENTS. 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, a 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 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, the president or the chairman of the board.
SECRETARY. The secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office or 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’ and 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 executive office or at the office of the corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, as determined by resolution of the board of directors, 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 date 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.
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, 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 depositaries 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.
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES
AND OTHER AGENTS
INDEMNIFICATION - - THIRD PARTY PROCEEDINGS. The corporation shall indemnify any person (the “Indemnitee”) who is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor) by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or any subsidiary of the corporation, and the corporation may indemnify a person who is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor) by reason of the fact that such person is or was an employee or other agent of the corporation (the “Indemnitee Agent”) by reason of any action or inaction on the part of Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent while an officer, director or agent or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including subject to Section 6.19, attorneys’ fees and any expenses of establishing a right to indemnification pursuant to this Article VI or under California law), judgments, fines, settlements (if such settlement is approved in advance by the corporation, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent in connection with such proceeding if Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, in the case of a criminal proceeding, if Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent had no reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s or Indemnitee Agent’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or with respect to any criminal proceedings, would not create a presumption that Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s or Indemnitee Agent’s conduct was unlawful.
INDEMNIFICATION - - PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION. The corporation shall indemnify Indemnitee and may indemnify Indemnitee Agent if Indemnitee, or Indemnitee Agent, as the case may be, was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action by or in the right of the corporation or any subsidiary of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent is or was a director, officer, employee or other agent of the corporation, or any subsidiary of the corporation, by reason of any action or inaction on the part of Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent while an officer, director or agent or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including subject to Section 6.19, attorneys’ fees and any expenses of establishing a right to indemnification pursuant to this Article VI or under California law) and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, amounts paid in settlement, in each case to the extent actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent in connection with the defense or settlement of the proceeding if Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and its shareholders, except that no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter to which Indemnitee (or Indemnitee Agent) shall have been adjudged to have been liable to the corporation in the performance of Indemnitee’s or Indemnitee Agent’s duty to the corporation and its shareholders, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such proceeding is or was pending shall determine upon application that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee (or Indemnitee Agent) is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for expenses and then only to the extent that the court shall determine.
SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE ON MERITS. To the extent that Indemnitee (or Indemnitee Agent) without limitation has been successful on the merits in defense of any proceeding referred to in Sections 6.1 or 6.2 above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the corporation shall indemnify Indemnitee (or Indemnitee Agent) against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee (or Indemnitee Agent) in connection therewith.
CERTAIN TERMS DEFINED. For purposes of this Article VI, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans, references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, and references to “proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or
completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative. References to “corporation” include all constituent corporations absorbed in a consolidation or merger as well as the resulting or surviving corporation, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or other agent of such a constituent corporation or who, being or having been such a director, officer, employee or other agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VI with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would if he or she had served the resulting or surviving corporation in the same capacity.
ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES. The corporation shall advance all expenses incurred by Indemnitee and may advance all or any expenses incurred by Indemnitee Agent in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement (excluding amounts actually paid in settlement of any action, suit or proceeding) or appeal of any civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding referenced in Sections 6.1 or 6.2 hereof. Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent hereby undertakes to repay such amounts advanced only if, and to the extent that, it shall be determined ultimately that Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized hereby. The advances to be made hereunder shall be paid by the corporation (i) to Indemnitee within twenty (20) days following delivery of a written request therefor by Indemnitee to the corporation; and (ii) to Indemnitee Agent within twenty (20) days following the later of a written request therefor by Indemnitee Agent to the corporation and determination by the corporation to advance expenses to Indemnitee Agent pursuant to the corporation’s discretionary authority hereunder.
NOTICE OF CLAIM. Indemnitee shall, as a condition precedent to his or her right to be indemnified under this Article VI, and Indemnitee Agent shall, as a condition precedent to his or her ability to be indemnified under this Article VI, give the corporation notice in writing as soon as practicable of any claim made against Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent, as the case may be, for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Article VI. Notice to the corporation shall be directed to the secretary of the corporation at the principal business office of the corporation (or such other address as the corporation shall designate in writing to Indemnitee). In addition, Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent shall give the corporation such information and cooperation as it may reasonably require and as shall be within Indemnitee’s or Indemnitee Agent’s power.
ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS. Any indemnification provided for in Sections 6.1 or 6.2 or 6.3 shall be made no later than sixty (60) days after receipt of the written request of Indemnitee. If a claim or request under this Article VI, under any statute, or under any provision of the corporation’s Articles of Incorporation providing for indemnification is not paid by the corporation, or on its behalf, within sixty (60) days after written request for payment thereof has been received by the corporation, Indemnitee may, but need not, at any time thereafter bring suit against the corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim or request, and subject to Section 6.19, Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid for the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) of bringing such action. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding in advance of its final disposition) that Indemnitee has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under applicable law for the corporation to indemnify Indemnitee for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the corporation, and Indemnitee shall be entitled to receive interim payments of expenses pursuant to Section 6.5 unless and until such defense may be finally adjudicated by court order or judgment for which no further right of appeal exists. The parties hereto intend that if the corporation contests Indemnitee’s right to indemnification, the question of Indemnitee’s right to indemnification shall be a decision for the court, and no presumption regarding whether the applicable standard has been met will arise based on any determination or lack of determination of such by the corporation (including its Board or any subgroup thereof, independent legal counsel or its shareholders). The board of directors may, in its discretion, provide by resolution for similar or identical enforcement rights for any Indemnitee Agent.
ASSUMPTION OF DEFENSE. In the event the corporation shall be obligated to pay the expenses of any proceeding against the Indemnitee (or Indemnitee Agent), the corporation, if appropriate, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such proceeding with counsel approved by Indemnitee (or Indemnitee Agent), which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, upon the delivery to Indemnitee (or Indemnitee Agent) of written notice of its election so to do. After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee (or Indemnitee Agent) and the retention of such counsel by the corporation, the corporation will not be liable to Indemnitee (or Indemnitee Agent) under this Article VI for any fees of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee (or Indemnitee Agent) with respect to the same proceeding, unless (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee (or Indemnitee Agent) is authorized by the corporation, (ii) Indemnitee (or Indemnitee Agent) shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest of such counsel retained by the corporation between the corporation and Indemnitee (or Indemnitee Agent) in the conduct of such
defense, or (iii) the corporation ceases or terminates the employment of such counsel with respect to the defense of such proceeding, in any of which events then the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s (or Indemnitee Agent’s) counsel shall be at the expense of the corporation. At all times, Indemnitee (or Indemnitee Agent) shall have the right to employ other counsel in any such proceeding at Indemnitee’s (or Indemnitee Agent’s) expense.
APPROVAL OF EXPENSES. No expenses for which indemnity shall be sought under this Article VI, other than those in respect of judgments and verdicts actually rendered, shall be incurred without the prior consent of the corporation, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
SUBROGATION. In the event of payment under this Article VI, the corporation shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee (or Indemnitee Agent), who shall do all things that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the corporation effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.
EXCEPTIONS. Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, the corporation shall not be obligated pursuant to this Article VI:
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| Excluded Acts. To indemnify Indemnitee (i) as to circumstances in which indemnity is expressly prohibited pursuant to California law, or (ii) for any acts or omissions or transactions from which a director may not be relieved of liability pursuant to California law; or |
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| Claims Initiated by Indemnitee. To indemnify or advance expenses to Indemnitee with respect to proceedings or claims initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except with respect to proceedings brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification under this Article VI or any other statute or law or as otherwise required under the Corporations Code of California, but such indemnification or advancement of expenses may be provided by the corporation in specific cases if the board of directors has approved the initiation or bringing of such suit; or |
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| Lack of Good Faith. To indemnify Indemnitee for any expenses incurred by the Indemnitee with respect to any proceeding instituted by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret this Article VI, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that such proceeding was not made in good faith or was frivolous; or |
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| Insured Claims. To indemnify Indemnitee for expenses or liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid in settlement) which have been paid directly to Indemnitee by an insurance carrier under a policy of officers’ and directors’ liability insurance maintained by the corporation; or |
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| Claims Under Section 16(b). To indemnify Indemnitee for expenses and the payment of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute. |
PARTIAL INDEMNIFICATION. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Article VI to indemnification by the corporation for some or a portion of the expenses, judgments, fines or penalties actually or reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in the investigation, defense, appeal or settlement of any civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the corporation shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of such expenses, judgments, fines or penalties to which Indemnitee is entitled.
COVERAGE. This Article VI shall, to the extent permitted by law, apply to acts or omissions of (i) Indemnitee which occurred prior to the adoption of this Article VI if Indemnitee was a director or officer of the corporation or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, at the time such act or omission occurred; and (ii) Indemnitee Agent which occurred prior to the adoption of this Article VI if Indemnitee Agent was an employee or other agent of the corporation or was serving at the request of the corporation as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the time such act or omission occurred. All rights to indemnification under this Article VI shall be deemed to be provided by a contract between the corporation and the Indemnitee in which the corporation hereby agrees to indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that such indemnification is not specifically authorized by the corporation’s Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws or by statute. Any repeal or
modification of these Bylaws, the Corporations Code of California or any other applicable law shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing under this Article VI. The provisions of this Article VI shall continue as to Indemnitee and Indemnitee Agent for any action taken or not taken while serving in an indemnified capacity even though the Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent may have ceased to serve in such capacity at the time of any action, suit or other covered proceeding. This Article VI shall be binding upon the corporation and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee Agent and Indemnitee’s and Indemnitee Agent’s estate, heirs, legal representatives and assigns.
NON-EXCLUSIVITY. Nothing herein shall be deemed to diminish or otherwise restrict any rights to which Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent may be entitled under the corporation’s Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or under the laws of the State of California.
SEVERABILITY. Nothing in this Article VI is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the corporation to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law. If this Article VI or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the corporation shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee or Indemnitee Agent to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article VI that shall not have been invalidated.
MUTUAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Both the corporation and Indemnitee acknowledge that in certain instances, Federal law or applicable public policy may prohibit the corporation from indemnifying its directors and officers under this Article VI or otherwise. Indemnitee understands and acknowledges that the corporation has undertaken or may be required in the future to undertake with the Securities and Exchange Commission to submit the question of indemnification to a court in certain circumstances for a determination of the corporation’s right under public policy to indemnify Indemnitee.
OFFICER AND DIRECTOR LIABILITY INSURANCE. The corporation shall, from time to time, make the good faith determination whether or not it is practicable for the corporation to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies providing the officers and directors of the corporation with coverage for losses from wrongful acts, or to ensure the corporation’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Article VI. Among other considerations, the corporation will weigh the costs of obtaining such insurance coverage against the protection afforded by such coverage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the corporation shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain such insurance if the corporation determines in good faith that such insurance is not reasonably available, if the premium costs for such insurance are disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided, if the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit, or if Indemnitee is covered by similar insurance maintained by a subsidiary or parent of the corporation.
NOTICE TO INSURERS. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to Section 6.6 hereof, the corporation has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the corporation shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The corporation shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
ATTORNEYS’ FEES. In the event that any action is instituted by Indemnitee under this Article VI to enforce or interpret any of the terms hereof, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid all court costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Indemnitee with respect to such action, unless as a part of such action, the court of competent jurisdiction determines that the action was not instituted in good faith or was frivolous. In the event of an action instituted by or in the name of the corporation under this Article VI, or to enforce or interpret any of the terms of this Article VI, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid all court costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by Indemnitee in defense of such action (including with respect to Indemnitee’s counterclaims and cross-claims made in such action), unless as a part of such action the court determines that Indemnitee’s defenses to such action were not made in good faith or were frivolous. The board of directors may, in its discretion, provide by resolution for payment of such attorneys’ fees to any Indemnitee Agent.
NOTICE. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Article VI shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (i) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the addressee, on the date of such receipt, (ii) if sent by electronic transmission by the corporation, at the time sent, or (iii) if mailed by domestic certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date postmarked.
RECORDS AND REPORTS
MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION 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 share holders, 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 upon five days prior written demand upon the corporation, and/or (ii) obtain from the transfer agent of the corporation, upon written demand and upon 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 such list has been compiled or as of a date specified by the shareholder subsequent to the date of demand. Such list shall be made available by the transfer agent on or before the later of five (5) days after the demand is received or the date specified therein as the date as of which the list is to be compiled. The record of shareholders shall also be open to inspection upon 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 such 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 such demand.
MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS. The corporation shall keep at its principal executive office, or if its principal executive office is not in the State of California at its principal business office in this state, the original or a copy of the bylaws as amended to date, which shall be open to inspection by the shareholders at all reason able times during office hours. If the principal executive office of the corporation is outside this State and the corporation has no principal business office in this state, the Secretary shall, upon the written request of any shareholder, furnish to such shareholder a copy of the bylaws as amended to date.
MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION 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. Such 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 such holder’s interests as a shareholder or as the holder of a voting trust certificate. Such inspection may be made in person or by an agent or attorney, and shall include the right to copy and make extracts. The foregoing rights of inspection shall extend to the records of each subsidiary of the corporation.
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.
ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS. The annual report to shareholders referred to in Section 1501 of the Corporations Code of California is expressly dispensed with, but nothing herein shall be interpreted as prohibiting the board of directors from issuing annual or other periodic reports to the shareholders of the corporation as they deem appropriate.
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 no annual report for the last fiscal year has been sent to shareholders, the corporation shall, upon the written request of any shareholder made more than 120 days after the close of such fiscal year, deliver or mail to such shareholder, within thirty (30) days after such request a balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal year and an income statement and statement of changes in financial position for such fiscal year.
If a shareholder or shareholders holding at least five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of any class of stock of the corporation make 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 prior to the date of the request and a balance sheet of the corporation as of the end of such period and, in addition, if no annual report for the last fiscal year has been sent to shareholders, a balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal year and an income statement and statement of changes in financial position for such fiscal year, then, the chief financial officer shall cause such statements to be prepared, if not already prepared, and shall deliver personally or mail such statement or statements to the person making the request within thirty (30) days after the receipt of such request.
The income statements and balance sheets referred to in this section shall be accompanied by the report thereon, if any, of any independent accountants engaged by the corporation or the certificate of an authorized officer of the corporation that such financial statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the corporation.
ANNUAL STATEMENT OF GENERAL INFORMATION. The corporation shall file annually with the Secretary of State of the State of California, on the prescribed form, a statement setting forth the names and complete business or residence addresses of all incumbent directors, the number of vacancies on the board of directors, if any, 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 Corporations Code of California.
GENERAL CORPORATE MATTERS
RECORD DATE FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN NOTICE AND VOTING. For purposes of determining the share holders 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 prior to any such action, and in such 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 fixed as aforesaid, except as otherwise provided in the Corporations Code of California.
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 resolution relating thereto, or the sixtieth (60th) day prior to the date of such action, whichever is later.
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.
CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS; HOW EXECUTED. The board of directors, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such 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.
CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES. A certificate or certificates for shares of the capital stock of the corporation shall be issued to each shareholder when any such shares are fully paid, and the board of directors may
authorize the issuance of certificates for shares as partly paid provided that such certificates shall state the amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon. All certificates 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 a vice president and by the chief financial officer or an assistant treasurer 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 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 with the same effect as if such person were an officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
If the shares of the corporation are classified, or if any class of shares has two or more series, there shall appear on the certificate one of the following: (i) a statement of the rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions granted to or imposed upon each class or series of shares authorized to be issued and upon the holders thereof; (ii) a summary of rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions with reference to the provisions of the articles of incorporation and any certificates of determination establishing the same; or (iii) a statement setting forth the office or agency of the corporation from which shareholders may obtain, upon request and without charge, a copy of the statement referred to in (i) above.
There shall also appear on the certificate the following statements (if applicable): (i) that the shares are subject to restrictions upon transfer; (ii) if the shares are assessable or are not fully paid, that they are assessable or, on partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid and the amount previously paid; (iii) that the shares are subject to a close corporation voting agreement, or an irrevocable proxy, or restrictions upon voting rights contractually imposed by the corporation; (iv) that the corporation is a close corporation, whose shareholders of record cannot exceed a specified amount; (v) that the shares are redeemable; and (vi) that the shares are convertible and the period for conversion. Any statement on the face of the certificate required by this paragraph shall be conspicuous.
When the corporation’s articles of incorporation are amended in any way affecting the statements contained in the certificates for outstanding shares, or it becomes desirable for any reason, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, to cancel any outstanding certificate for shares and issue a new certificate therefor conforming to the rights of the holder, the Board of Directors may order any holders of outstanding certificates for shares to surrender and exchange them for new certificates within a reasonable time to be fixed by the Board of Directors.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article VIII, Section 8.4 to the contrary, the corporation may adopt, in accordance with Section 416(b) of the California General Corporation Law, a system of issuance, recordation, and transfer of its shares by electronic or other means not involving any issuance of certificates.
LOST CERTIFICATES. Except as herein after in this Section provided, no new certificates for shares shall be issued in lieu of 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 new certificate in lieu thereof, upon 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 such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.
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 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 herein granted to said 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 such officer in person or by any person authorized to do so by proxy duly executed by said officer.
CONSTRUCTION AND DEFINITIONS. Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the Corporations Code of California 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” includes both a corporation and a natural person.
TIME NOTICE GIVEN OR SENT. Any reference in these bylaws to the time a notice is given or sent means, unless otherwise expressly provided herein or by law, the time a written notice (a) is deposited in the United States
mail, is personally delivered to the recipient, or is delivered to a common carrier for transmission; (b) is actually transmitted to the recipient by the person giving the notice by electronic transmission; or (c) is communicated, in person or by telephone, to the recipient or to a person at the office of the recipient who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate it to the recipient
ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION BY OR TO THE CORPORATION.
(a) When used in these bylaws, the term “electronic transmission by the corporation” means a communication (a) delivered by (1) facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, for that recipient on record with the corporation, (2) posting on an electronic message board or network which the corporation has designated for those communications, together with a separate notice to the recipient of the posting, which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the later of the posting or delivery of the separate notice thereof, or (3) other means of electronic communication, (b) to a recipient who has provided an unrevoked consent to the use of those means of transmission for communications under or pursuant to the Corporations Code of California, (c) that creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form, and (d) that satisfies the requirements applicable to consumer consent to electronic records as set forth in the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 7001(c)(1)), or any similar law that replaces such act.
(b) When used in these bylaws, “electronic transmission to the corporation” means a communication (a) delivered by (1) facsimile telecommunication or electronic mail when directed to the facsimile number or electronic mail address, respectively, which the corporation has provided from time to time to shareholders or members and directors for sending communications to the corporation, (2) posting on an electronic message board or network which the corporation has designated for those communications, and which transmission shall be validly delivered upon the posting, or (3) other means of electronic communication, (b) as to which the corporation has placed in effect reasonable measures to verify that the sender is the shareholder or member (in person or by proxy) or director purporting to send the transmission, and (c) that creates a record that is capable of retention, retrieval, and review, and that may thereafter be rendered into clearly legible tangible form.
AMENDMENTS
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; provided, however, that if the articles of incorporation of the corporation set forth the number of authorized directors of the corporation, the authorized number of directors may be changed only by an amendment of the articles of incorporation.
AMENDMENT BY DIRECTORS. Subject to the rights of the shareholders as provided in Section 9.1 of this Article IX, bylaws, other than a bylaw or an amendment thereof changing the authorized number of directors, may be adopted, amended or repealed by the board of directors.