Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
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June 30, 2003 |
(Unaudited) |
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Results of Operations |
Questar Market Resources |
Questar Market Resources and subsidiaries (QMR) acquire and develop gas and oil properties, develop cost-of-service reserves for affiliate utility Questar Gas, provide gas-gathering and processing services, market equity and third-party gas and oil, provide risk-management services, and own and operate an underground gas-storage reservoir. Primary objectives of gas- and oil-marketing operations are to support QMR's earnings targets and to protect QMR's earnings from adverse commodity-price changes. QMR does not enter into gas- and oil-hedging contracts for speculative purposes. Following is a summary of QMR's financial results and operating information: |
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| 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
| June 30, | June 30, | June 30, |
| 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 |
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FINANCIAL RESULTS - (In thousands) | | | | | | |
Revenues | | | | | | |
From unaffiliated customers | $155,980 | $123,545 | $369,173 | $248,703 | $642,946 | $511,648 |
From affiliates | 29,957 | 28,939 | 56,406 | 56,910 | 106,143 | 104,774 |
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Total revenues | $185,937 | $152,484 | $425,579 | $305,613 | $749,089 | $616,422 |
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Operating income | $ 48,212 | $ 37,998 | $107,769 | $ 66,661 | $171,552 | $138,159 |
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Income before cumulative effect | $ 27,776 | $ 22,817 | $ 61,825 | $ 40,419 | $119,335 | $ 82,574 |
Cumulative effect of accounting change | | | (5,113) | | (5,113) | |
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Net income | $27,776 | $22,817 | $56,712 | $40,419 | $114,222 | $82,574 |
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OPERATING STATISTICS | | | | | | |
Nonregulated production volumes | | | | | | |
Natural gas (in MMcf) | 17,957 | 19,856 | 38,061 | 39,863 | 77,872 | 78,806 |
Oil and natural gas liquids (in Mbbl) | 568 | 736 | 1,140 | 1,483 | 2,421 | 2,966 |
Total production (Bcfe) | 21.4 | 24.3 | 44.9 | 48.8 | 92.4 | 96.6 |
Average daily production (MMcfe) | 235 | 267 | 248 | 269 | 253 | 265 |
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Average selling price, net to the well | | | | | | |
Average realized selling price (including hedges) | | | | | | |
Natural gas (per Mcf) | $3.66 | $2.55 | $3.59 | $2.49 | $3.12 | $2.64 |
Oil and natural gas liquids (per bbl) | $22.45 | $20.60 | $23.59 | $19.72 | $22.30 | $18.89 |
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Average selling price (without hedges) | | | | | | |
Natural gas (per Mcf) | $4.34 | $2.11 | $4.27 | $2.00 | $3.29 | $2.21 |
Oil and natural gas liquids (per bbl) | $26.62 | $22.92 | $28.89 | $20.80 | $27.05 | $20.78 |
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Wexpro investment base at June 30, net of | | | | | | |
Depreciation and deferred income | | | | | | |
taxes (in millions) | $160.3 | $161.4 | | | | |
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| 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
| June 30, | June 30, | June 30, |
| 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 |
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Energy marketing volumes (in MDthe) | 16,900 | 20,111 | 38,211 | 42,576 | 79,451 | 86,815 |
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Natural gas gathering volumes (in MDth) | | | | | | |
For unaffiliated customers | 28,031 | 28,220 | 56,357 | 56,846 | 111,716 | 101,964 |
For Questar Gas | 9,515 | 9,782 | 21,099 | 22,005 | 39,779 | 40,260 |
For other affiliated customers | 8,936 | 9,265 | 21,027 | 16,652 | 42,511 | 30,301 |
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Total gathering | 46,482 | 47,267 | 98,483 | 95,503 | 194,006 | 172,525 |
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Gathering revenue (per Dth) | $0.20 | $0.17 | $0.20 | $0.15 | $0.18 | $0.14 |
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Second quarter and first half comparison of 2003 with 2002 |
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Exploration and Production (E&P) |
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Higher selling prices for natural gas, oil and natural gas liquids in the second quarter and first half of 2003 more than offset the lower production volumes resulting in increased revenues. Realized natural gas prices, net to the well, increased 44% in the second quarter and first half of 2003 when compared with the same periods of 2002. Realized natural gas prices in the second quarter of 2003 exceeded first quarter 2003 prices by 4%. The higher prices reflect sustained demand for natural gas combined with the startup of the expansion of the Kern River pipeline owned by MidAmerican Energy. |
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Roughly two-thirds of the Company's 2003 nonregulated production came from properties located in the Rocky Mountains. Rockies basis differential, measured against prices at Henry Hub, averaged more than $2.50 per MMBtu in the first quarter of 2003 and dropped to roughly $1.25 per MMBtu in the second quarter. As of August 2003, the differential was $.75 to $.80 per MMBtu, higher than the historical levels of $.40 to .60 per MMBtu. A significant factor in the shrinking basis differential appears to be the 900 MMcf per day expansion of Kern River pipeline, which began service on May 1, 2003. The expansion represents approximately a 20% increase in export capacity out of the western Rockies. Realized prices received for QMR's Rockies gas production were 68% higher in the second quarter of 2003 compared with the 2002 quarter. A year ago, QMR voluntarily shut-in 1.5 Bcfe of production when Rockies spot prices fell below $1 per MMBtu. Realized Midcontinent gas prices were 24% higher in the seco nd quarter of 2003 when compared with the second quarter for 2002. |
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Prices received for nonregulated oil and natural gas liquids increased 9% in the second quarter and 20% in the first half of 2003 when compared with the corresponding periods of 2002. |
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Production, measured in natural gas-equivalents, decreased 12% in the quarter-to-quarter comparison and 8% in the first half comparison. The decline resulted from the sale of QMR's Canadian E & P subsidiary, San Juan E & P properties and other non-core, producing properties in the second half of 2002 and federal drilling restrictions in the Pinedale area from November to May. |
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Approximately 67% of first half 2003 nonregulated gas production was hedged or presold at an average price of $3.32 per Mcf, net to the well. This resulted in a $26.0 million reduction in gas revenues when compared with the prices received from the physical sales transactions. Approximately 53% of first half 2003 nonregulated oil production was hedged or presold at an average price of $21.80 per bbl, net to the well, resulting in a $6.0 million reduction in oil revenues. In the first half of 2002, hedging activities added $17.9 million of revenues. |
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Lifting costs per Mcfe were higher in the 2003 periods presented due to a higher production tax component driven up by higher selling prices. The lease operating expense component of lifting cost was lower in the 2003 periods after the 2002 sale of higher cost Canadian properties. General and administrative costs were higher in the 2003 periods due primarily to increased employee benefits and property insurance costs. A second quarter and first half comparison of operating costs on an Mcfe basis is shown in the table below. |
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| | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended |
| | June 30, | June 30, |
| | 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 |
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Lease operating expense | $0.52 | $0.54 | $0.48 | $0.55 |
Production taxes | 0.33 | 0.18 | 0.32 | 0.17 |
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Lifting cost | $0.85 | $0.72 | $0.80 | $0.72 |
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Depreciation, depletion and amortization | $0.93 | $0.85 | $0.93 | $0.87 |
General and administrative expense | 0.30 | 0.20 | 0.28 | 0.26 |
Allocated interest expense | 0.24 | 0.28 | 0.24 | 0.27 |
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Wexpro Earnings |
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Wexpro's net income increased $600,000 in the second quarter of 2003 and first half of 2003 when compared with the corresponding periods of 2002 due to higher selling prices for oil, capitalizing interest and lower debt expense. Wexpro's first quarter 2003 results included a $600,000 after tax charge for the cumulative effect of an accounting change. In the second quarter of 2003, Wexpro recorded approximately $900,000 of capitalized financing costs (AFUDC) on a well spudded in 2000. The net investment base was lower at June 30, 2003 when compared to June 30, 2002. Depreciation expense exceeded capital spending for commercial wells in the first half of 2003. Wexpro earns a specified after-tax return of 19 to 20% on its net investment in commercial wells drilled on behalf of Questar Gas. |
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Gas Gathering and Gas and Oil Marketing |
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Net income from gathering operations was higher in the second quarter and first half of 2003 when compared with the 2002 periods due to increased volumes of gas gathered and higher margins. Higher gas and oil prices resulted in an increase in gas and oil marketing revenues and margins in the first half of 2003 compared with the same period in 2002. The margin, which represents revenues less the costs to purchase gas and oil and transport gas, increased from $7.2 million in the first half of 2002 to $8.2 million in the first half of 2003. In addition, the QMR's share of earnings in Rendezvous Gas Services increased by $600,000 after tax in the second quarter of 2003 and by $1 million in the first half of 2003. Rendezvous provides gathering and processing services for the Pinedale and Jonah producing areas. |
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Comparison of 12 months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 |
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Higher selling prices for gas, oil and natural gas liquids were responsible for a 22% increase in revenues when comparing the 12 months ended June 30, 2003 with the corresponding period of 2002. Production, measured in natural gas equivalents was 4% lower in the 2003 period due to sales of non-core producing properties. A majority of the asset sales took place in the fourth quarter of 2002. |
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Lifting costs per Mcfe increased by 1% in the 12-month comparison due to higher production taxes that more than offset a reduction in lease operating expenses. Lower amounts spent on contracted services, such as trucking and pumping were responsible for the lower lease operating expenses. General and administrative costs were higher in 2003 due to higher employee benefit costs and property insurance costs. A comparison of the information for the 12 months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 on an Mcfe basis is shown in the table below. |
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| 12 Months Ended | | | | |
| June 30, | | | | |
| 2003 | 2002 | | | | |
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| Per Mcfe | | | | |
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Lease operating expense | $0.51 | $0.59 | | | | |
Production taxes | 0.26 | 0.17 | | | | |
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Lifting cost | $0.77 | $0.76 | | | | |
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| 12 Months Ended | | | | |
| June 30, | | | | |
| 2003 | 2002 | | | | |
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| Per Mcfe | | | | |
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Depreciation, depletion and amortization | $0.93 | $0.85 | | | | |
General and administrative expense | 0.28 | 0.25 | | | | |
Allocated interest expense | 0.26 | 0.25 | | | | |
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Questar Regulated Services |
Questar Gas and Questar Pipeline conduct the regulated services of natural gas distribution, interstate transmission and storage and unregulated processing and gathering. |
Natural Gas Distribution |
Questar Gas conducts natural gas distribution operations. Following is a summary of financial results and operating information. |
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| 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
| June 30, | June 30, | June 30, |
| 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 |
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FINANCIAL RESULTS - (In Thousands) | | | | | | |
Revenues | | | | | | |
From unaffiliated customers | $90,594 | $82,004 | $325,108 | $342,962 | $575,981 | $625,314 |
From affiliates | 568 | 797 | 1,457 | 1,098 | 2,035 | 2,025 |
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Total revenues | 91,162 | 82,801 | 326,565 | 344,060 | 578,016 | 627,339 |
Cost of natural gas sold | 54,481 | 48,062 | 199,116 | 225,191 | 344,219 | 416,982 |
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Margin | $36,681 | $34,739 | $127,449 | $118,869 | $233,797 | $210,357 |
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Operating income (loss) | ($22,082) | ($1,773) | $ 26,624 | $ 43,117 | $ 53,861 | $ 58,178 |
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Income (loss) before cumulative effect | ($16,458) | ($3,509) | $ 9,546 | $ 20,657 | $ 21,288 | $ 25,338 |
Cumulative effect of accounting change | | | (334) | | (334) | |
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Net income (loss) | ($16,458) | ($3,509) | $9,212 | $20,657 | $20,954 | $25,338 |
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OPERATING STATISTICS | | | | | | |
Natural gas volumes (in MDth) | | | | | | |
Residential and commercial sales | 12,999 | 10,784 | 48,467 | 54,145 | 85,118 | 89,669 |
Industrial sales | 2,201 | 2,356 | 5,428 | 5,796 | 10,361 | 10,694 |
Transportation for industrial customers | 9,421 | 9,831 | 18,973 | 21,691 | 43,741 | 47,030 |
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Total industrial | 11,622 | 12,187 | 24,401 | 27,487 | 54,102 | 57,724 |
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Total deliveries | 24,621 | 22,971 | 72,868 | 81,632 | 139,220 | 147,393 |
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Natural gas revenue (per Dth) | | | | | | |
Residential and commercial | $5.82 | $6.01 | $6.01 | $5.61 | $5.99 | $6.12 |
Industrial sales | 4.23 | 4.33 | 4.27 | 4.64 | 3.94 | 4.86 |
Transportation for industrial customers | 0.19 | 0.17 | 0.19 | 0.16 | 0.17 | 0.14 |
Heating degree days | | | | | | |
Colder (warmer) than normal | 1% | (19%) | (9%) | 12% | (5%) | 7% |
Average temperature-adjusted usage per | | | | | | |
customer (Dth) | 17.2 | 16.3 | 69.3 | 67.2 | 118.3 | 118.4 |
Number of customers at June 30, | | | | | | |
Residential and commercial | 748,512 | 728,881 | | | | |
Industrial | 1,282 | 1,299 | | | | |
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Total | 749,794 | 730,180 | | | | |
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Revenues less cost of natural gas sold (margin) |
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Questar Gas's margin was higher in the 2003 periods presented compared with the 2002 periods due to a general rate increase, customer additions and higher usage per customer. Effective December 30, 2002, the Public Service Commission of Utah (PSCU) issued an order approving an $11.2 million general rate increase for Questar Gas using an 11.2% return on equity. The rate increase also reflects year-end 2002 usage per customer and costs. The number of customers increased 19,614 or 2.7% in the year over year comparison. Temperature adjusted usage per customer grew by 6% in the second quarter and 3% in the first half of 2003 compared with the same periods in 2002. This positive change in usage per customer is not expected to continue. Questar Gas recently received PSCU approval to pass-through a 25% increase in natural gas costs in rates beginning July 1, 2003. |
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The margin for the 12-months ended June 30, 2003 was higher when compared with the corresponding period of 2002 due to several factors in addition to those discussed above. The 2003 period benefited from an August 2002 one-time recovery of $3.8 million of gas costs previously denied. The PSCU order allowing the recovery was later reversed by a Utah Supreme Court ruling dated August 1, 2003. In addition, the PSCU authorized Questar Gas to recover the gas cost portion of bad debt expense in its pass through gas costs. Starting in 2003, the Utah general rate case required recording contributions in aid of construction as a reduction of rate base rather than in revenues. |
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The weather-normalization adjustment (WNA) mitigates the financial effect of temperatures that are either colder or warmer than normal. Generally, under the WNA customers pay for non-gas costs based on normal temperatures. |
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Gas volumes delivered to industrial customers were lower in the 2003 periods presented due to decreased gas usage for generation of electricity and in manufacturing processes. |
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Expenses |
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Operating and maintenance expenses were higher in the 2003 periods presented when compared to the same periods in 2002 due primarily to higher labor-related costs. Labor-related expenses have increased primarily because of higher costs of pension and benefit programs and less capitalization of labor costs. Higher depreciation expense in the first half of 2003 reflects increased investment in computer equipment and software, which are depreciated over a shorter life than assets placed in the ground. |
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The Utah Supreme Court issued an order reversing decisions made by the PSCU in August of 2000 and August of 2002. The PSCU originally permitted Questar Gas to collect $5 million per year to recover costs incurred to process certain gas volumes delivered to customers. In August 2002, the PSCU allowed an additional $3.8 million of recovery from a previous period. As a result of the order, Questar Gas recorded a $22 million liability reflecting a potential refund of processing costs collected in rates from June of 1999 through June of 2003. |
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Natural Gas Transmission |
Questar Pipeline and its subsidiaries conduct interstate natural gas transmission, storage and unregulated processing and gathering operations. Following is a summary of financial results and operating information: |
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| 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
| June 30, | June 30, | June 30, |
| 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 |
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FINANCIAL RESULTS - (In Thousands) | | | | | | |
Revenues | | | | | | |
From unaffiliated customers | $19,504 | $14,338 | $37,640 | $26,840 | $ 77,075 | $ 53,148 |
From affiliates | 19,307 | 18,896 | 39,646 | 39,881 | 76,365 | 76,519 |
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Total revenues | $38,811 | $33,234 | $77,286 | $66,721 | $153,440 | $129,667 |
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Operating income | $17,290 | $14,967 | $35,575 | $30,708 | $ 71,052 | $ 60,090 |
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Income before cumulative effect | $ 7,342 | $ 7,869 | $15,395 | $15,286 | $ 32,717 | $ 30,519 |
Cumulative effect of accounting change | | | (133) | | (133) | |
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Net income | $ 7,342 | $ 7,869 | $15,262 | $15,286 | $ 32,584 | $ 30,519 |
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OPERATING STATISTICS | | | | | | |
Natural gas transportation volumes (in MDth) | | | | | | |
For unaffiliated customers | 61,880 | 55,794 | 127,396 | 108,246 | 264,269 | 213,850 |
For Questar Gas | 26,188 | 25,922 | 65,720 | 77,267 | 100,145 | 123,094 |
For other affiliated customers | 5,526 | 744 | 9,203 | 1,297 | 13,950 | 6,184 |
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Total transportation | 93,594 | 82,460 | 202,319 | 186,810 | 378,364 | 343,128 |
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Transportation revenue (per decatherm) | $ 0.27 | $ 0.26 | $ 0.25 | $ 0.23 | $ 0.26 | $ 0.24 |
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Revenues |
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Revenues were higher in the 2003 periods compared with the 2002 periods due primarily to increased transportation capacity and accompanying contracted service. Questar Pipeline's total transportation volumes for the second quarter, first half and 12 months ended June 30, 2003 were higher than the volumes reported in the corresponding periods of 2002. Total firm daily demand was 1,518,000 Dth in the first half of 2003 compared with 1,385,000 Dth in the first half of 2002. Higher volumes were primarily the result of the startup of the eastern segment of the Questar Southern Trails pipeline mid-year 2002. The eastern segment of Southern Trails has a capacity of 80,000 Dth daily, which is full-contracted through 2006. The Company expanded its transportation service to the Kern River pipeline beginning in May 2003. Deliveries increased by an average of 155,000 Dth per day. Deliveries, transported on Overthrust pipeline, accounted for about 55% of the increase. |
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Other increases in 2003 revenues were the result of a new park and loan storage service started in 2002, increased gas gathering volumes, and higher selling prices for natural gas liquids extracted from the gas stream. |
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Expenses |
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The impact on earnings from higher revenues was offset by higher operating expenses. Questar Pipeline, in the second quarter and first half of 2003 compared with the 2002 periods, because of pipeline expansion, higher costs for employee benefits, less capitalization of labor because of reduced construction activity and increased insurance and pipeline inspection costs. Questar Pipeline, through its subsidiaries, has not yet realized the full benefit of consolidating Overthrust Pipeline because of a lag in revenues between the expiring old transportation contracts and the sale of replacement capacity. AFUDC, the capitalization of financing costs as a part of project costs, was significantly lower in 2003. AFUDC is a component of interest and other income on the income statement. The higher level of investment in pipeline projects of past years resulted in higher depreciation expenses and property taxes in the 2003 periods. |
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Lower debt and legal expenses in 2002 were primarily the result of the resolution of the TransColorado lawsuit and the sale of the company's 50% interest in TransColorado in the fourth quarter of 2002. |
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Consolidated Operations Results After Operating Income |
Interest and other income was lower in the second quarter and first half of 2003 due to 2002 non-core property sales, a lawsuit settlement, and lower AFUDC. Pretax gains from property sales amounted to $47,000 in the first half of 2003 and $5.4 million in the first half of 2002. The sale of a Canadian E&P subsidiary, San Juan E&P properties and other E&P properties accounted for pretax gains of $38.3 million in the 12 months ended June 30, 2003. QMR settled a lawsuit in the second quarter of 2002 resulting in a pretax gain of $4.5 million. |
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Rendezvous Gas Services' income increased in the 2003 periods presented due to higher volumes and prices. A QMR subsidiary is a 50% partner in Rendezvous, which provides gathering and processing services for the Pinedale and Jonah producing areas of western Wyoming. Questar Pipeline's share of the TransColorado partnership in the trailing 12 months was a pretax profit of $4.8 million in 2003 compared with a $1.7 million pretax profit for the 2002 period. |
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Lower debt balances and lower variable interest rates resulted in lower debt expenses in the second quarter and first half of 2003 when compared with the 2002 periods. In 2002, the Company applied the proceeds of approximately $250 million from asset sales to repay debt. In addition, Questar Gas replaced higher cost debt with lower cost debt in 2003. |
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The effective income tax rate for the first half was 37.4% in 2003 and 35.8% in 2002. An income tax credit associated with non-conventional fuels expired December 31, 2002. The Company recognized $3.1 million of non-conventional fuel tax credits in the first half of 2002, including QMR's $2.2 million portion of the credits. |
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Cumulative Effect of Changes in Accounting Methods |
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On January 1, 2003, the Company adopted a new accounting rule, SFAS 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations" and recorded a cumulative effect that reduced net income by $5.6 million or $.07 per diluted common share. Accretion expense associated with SFAS 143 amounted to $1.0 million in the first half of 2003. A year earlier, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" that resulted in impairment of the goodwill acquired by Consonus. The Company wrote off $17.3 million of goodwill, of which, $15.3 million or $.19 per diluted common share was attributed to Questar InfoComm's share and reported as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting for goodwill. The remaining $2.0 million was attributed to minority shareholders. |
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Liquidity and Capital Resources |
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Operating Activities |
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Net cash provided from operating activities in the first half of 2003 was $38.3 million less than was provided during the first half of 2002. Lower cash flows from accounts receivable and purchased-gas adjustments due to timing differences and higher energy prices were responsible for the decrease. Higher gas and oil prices also resulted in $9.2 million of margin calls as of June 30, 2003. Margin calls are interest-bearing deposits with counterparties to energy hedging transactions. |
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Investing Activities |
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A comparison of capital expenditures for the first half of 2003 and 2002 plus an estimate for calendar year 2003 is presented below. Accelerated development of the Company's interest in the Pinedale Anticline of Wyoming and related operations is a significant portion of 2003 expenditures. Forecasted 2003 capital expenditures for Corporate and other operations includes $13 million that has not been committed to a specific project. |
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| Actual | Forecast |
| 6 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
| June 30, | December 31, |
| 2003 | 2002 | 2003 |
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| (In Thousands) |
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Questar Market Resources | $ 57,146 | $ 78,316 | $242,400 |
Questar Regulated Services | | | |
Natural gas distribution | 29,035 | 24,232 | 81,300 |
Natural gas transmission | 8,948 | 66,392 | 41,500 |
Other | 401 | 610 | 3,600 |
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Total Questar Regulated Services | 38,384 | 91,234 | 126,400 |
Corporate and other operations | 1,231 | 638 | 16,700 |
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| $ 96,761 | $ 170,188 | $385,500 |
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Financing Activities |
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Net cash flow provided from operating activities was more than sufficient to fund capital expenditures in the first half of 2003. The excess cash flow plus the proceeds from issuing $110 million of long-term fixed rate debt were used to repay debt. Questar Gas redeemed $105 million of debt in the first half of 2003. QMR paid down its revolving debt by $145 million. Total debt as a percentage of capitalization was 47% at June 30, 2003 compared with 57% a year earlier. The Company used proceeds from asset sales in 2002 to reduce debt balances. |
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The Company's lines-of-credit capacity as of July 31, 2003 was $200 million. Short-term debt amounted to $58.5 million of commercial paper at June 30, 2003. A year earlier, short-term debt was comprised of $247.5 million of commercial paper and $100 million of borrowings from banks. |
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative disclosures About Market Risk |
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QMR's primary market-risk exposures arise from commodity-price changes for natural gas, oil and other hydrocarbons and changes in interest rates. A QMR subsidiary has long-term contracts for pipeline capacity for several years and is obligated for transportation services with no guarantee that it will be able to recover the full cost of these transportation commitments. |
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QMR bears a majority of the risk associated with commodity-price changes and uses gas- and oil-price-hedging arrangements in the normal course of business to limit the risk of adverse price movements. However, these same arrangements typically limit future gains from favorable price movements. The hedging contracts exist for a significant share of QMR-owned gas and oil production and for a portion of gas-and oil-marketing transactions. |
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Commodity-Price Risk Management |
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QMR has established policies and procedures for managing commodity-price risks through the use of derivatives. The primary objectives of natural gas- and oil-price hedging are to support QMR's earnings targets, and to protect earnings from downward movements in commodity prices. The volume of production hedged and the mix of derivative instruments employed are regularly evaluated and adjusted by management in response to changing market conditions and reviewed periodically by QMR's Board of Directors. It is QMR's policy to hedge up to 75% of the current year's proved-developed-production by March in the current year, at or above selling prices that support its earnings, targets, cash flow and return on capital. QMR will add incrementally to these hedges to reach forward beyond the current year when price levels are attractive. QMR does not enter into derivative arrangements for speculative purposes and does not hedge undeveloped reserves. Hedges are matched to equity gas and oil producti on, thus qualifying as cash flow hedges under the accounting provisions of SFAS 133 as amended and interpreted. Gas hedges are structured as fixed-price swaps into regional pipelines locking in basis and hedge effectiveness. |
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Management's attention has been focused on improving Rockies gas prices by hedging 18.8 Bcf of forecasted Rockies second half 2003 proved-developed-production at an average price of $3.38 per Mcf, net to the well. |
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A summary of QMR's gas- and oil-price hedging positions for equity gas and oil production as of July 31, 2003, is below. Net to the well means that prices are fixed at a delivery point into a regional pipeline and reduced by gathering costs. |
| | | | | | | |
| | Rocky | Midcontinent | Total | Rocky | Midcontinent | Total |
Time periods | Mountains | | | Mountains | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | Gas (in Bcf) | Average price per Mcf, net to the well |
| | | | |
Second half of 2003 | 18.8 | 6.9 | 25.7 | $3.38 | $4.00 | $3.54 |
| | | | | | |
First half of 2004 | 14.0 | 6.8 | 20.8 | $3.63 | $4.56 | $3.93 |
Second half of 2004 | 14.2 | 6.8 | 21.0 | $3.63 | $4.56 | $3.93 |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
12 months of 2004 | 28.2 | 13.6 | 41.8 | $3.63 | $4.56 | $3.93 |
| | | | | | |
| | | Oil (in MBbl) | Average price per Bbl, net to the well |
| | | | | | |
Second half of 2003 | 460 | 92 | 552 | $21.68 | $22.38 | $21.80 |
| | | | | | |
QMR held gas- and oil-price hedging contracts covering the price exposure for about 127.3 million dth of gas and 552,000 bbl of oil as of June 30, 2003. The contracts existed for both equity gas and oil and marketing transactions. A year earlier QMR hedging contracts covered 89.6 million dth of natural gas and 2.1 million bbl of oil. QMR does not hedge the price of natural gas liquids. |
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A summary of the activity for the fair value of hedging contracts for the six months ended June 30, 2003, is below. The calculation is comprised of the valuation of financial and physical contracts. |
| | | | |
| | | (In Thousands) | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net fair value of gas- and oil-hedging contracts outstanding at Dec. 31, 2002 | ($20,661) | |
Contracts realized or otherwise settled | 7,127 | |
Increase in gas and oil prices on futures markets | (39,231) | |
New contracts since Dec. 31, 2002 | (9,411) | |
| | |
Net fair value of gas- and-oil-hedging contracts outstanding at June 30, 2003 | ($62,176) | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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A vintaging of the net fair value of gas- and oil-hedging contracts as of June 30, 2003, is shown below. About 82% of those contracts will settle and be reclassified from other comprehensive income in the next 12 months. |
|
| | | (In Thousands) | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Contracts maturing by June 30, 2004 | | ($50,704) | |
Contracts maturing between June 30, 2004 and June 30, 2005 | | (11,177) | |
Contracts maturing between June 30, 2005 and June 30, 2006 | | (285) | |
Contracts maturing between June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2008 | (10) | |
| | | | |
Net fair value of gas- and oil-hedging contracts outstanding at June 30, 2003 | ($62,176) | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
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QMR's mark-to-market valuation of gas and oil price-hedging contracts plus a sensitivity analysis follows: |
|
| As of June 30, | |
| 2003 | 2002 | |
| | | |
| (In Millions) | |
| | | |
Mark-to-market valuation - asset (liability) | ($62.2) | $ 3.1 | |
Value if market prices of gas and oil decline by 10% | (24.6) | 22.1 | |
Value if market prices of gas and oil increase by 10% | (99.7) | (33.7) | |
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Interest-Rate Risk Management |
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As of June 30, 2003, Questar had $55 million of variable-rate long-term debt and $950.2 million of fixed-rate long-term debt. In addition, the Company has $58.5 million of variable-rate short-term debt at June 30, 2003. Generally, the imbedded cost of fixed-rate debt exceed rates currently available in the market. The book value of variable-rate long-term debt approximates fair value. |
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OTHER INFORMATION |
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Western Segment of Questar Southern Trails Pipeline |
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The Company has thus far been unsuccessful in its efforts to secure long-term contracts required to place the western segment of the Southern Trails pipeline into service. The western segment extends from the California-Arizona border to Long Beach, California. In June 2003, the Company requested and received prompt FERC approval of an 18-month extension of its construction certificate for this pipeline. Questar Southern Trails Pipeline, a subsidiary of Questar Pipeline, is actively seeking customers willing to enter into long-term gas transportation contracts necessary to place the pipeline into service. The Company is also considering selling this pipeline, and has received non-binding offers from several interested parties. A decision to place in-service or sell the pipeline is expected by the end of 2003. Questar Southern Trails Pipeline's investment in the western segment is approximately $52 million. |
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Purchased-Gas Cost Filings |
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Effective July 1, 2003, the PSCU approved a $146.4 million pass-on increase in annual gas costs for Utah customers. The Public Service Commission of Wyoming granted Questar Gas permission to pass-on a $6.8 million increase in gas costs to Wyoming customers also effective July 1, 2003. The increased gas costs were attributed to a forecast of higher gas prices in the Rockies. Pass-on rate increases or decreases result in dollar for dollar adjustments of revenues and gas costs without affecting the earnings of Questar Gas. |
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FERC - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) |
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The FERC issued a NOPR on Quarterly Financial Reporting and Revision to the Annual Reports. The NOPR, among other issues, requires a new quarterly filing of financial statements matching the deadlines imposed by the SEC. The FERC has not previously required quarterly statements. |
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FERC - Rule on Affiliate Relations |
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The FERC is expected to issue final rules requiring pipelines to comply with certain "nondiscriminatory" standards when dealing with energy company affiliates including local distribution companies. At the current time, local distribution companies (LCDs) such as Questar Gas that do not engage in unregulated gas sales are exempt from the FERC's marketing affiliate regulations. Questar Regulated Services believes that the current exemption should be continued, but the FERC has not yet made a decision on whether affiliate rules should be expanded to include gas LDCs such as Questar Gas. A FERC decision to extend energy affiliate rules to include LDCs could have adverse consequences for Questar. Questar Pipeline and Questar Gas realize significant cost savings by sharing the cost of administrative, engineering, gas control, technical, accounting, legal, and other regulatory services. |
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Recent Accounting Developments |
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In January 2003, Financial Accounting Standard Board Interpretation 46 (FIN 46) was issued to address perceived weaknesses in accounting for entities commonly known as special-purpose or off-balance-sheet entities, but the guidance applies to a larger population of entities. FIN 46 provides guidance for identifying the party with a controlling financial interest resulting from arrangements or financial interests rather than from voting interests. FIN 46 defines the term "variable interest entity" (or "VIE") and is based on the premise that if a business enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a VIE, the assets, liabilities, and results of the activities of the VIE should be included in the consolidated financial statements of the business enterprise. We are currently studying the provisions of FIN 46. Based upon our initial interpretation of FIN 46, we do not believe that this guidance will have a material effect on our financial statements. |
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Forward-Looking Statements |
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This report includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27(A) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21(E) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included or incorporated by reference in this report, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "could," "expect," "intend," "project," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "forecast," or "continue" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Although these statements are made in good faith and are reasonable representations of the Company's expected performance at the time, actual results may var y from management's stated expectations and projections due to a variety of factors. |
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Important assumptions and other significant factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements include: |
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Changes in general economic conditions; |
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Changes in gas and oil prices and supplies, and land-access issues; |
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Changes in rate-regulatory policies; |
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Availability of gas and oil properties for sale or for exploration; |
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Creditworthiness of counterparties to hedging contracts; |
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Rate of inflation and interest rates; |
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Assumptions used in business combinations; |
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Weather and other natural phenomena; |
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The effect of environmental regulation; |
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Changes in customers' credit ratings, including energy merchants; |
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Competition from other forms of energy, other pipelines and storage facilities; |
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The effect of accounting policies issued periodically by accounting standard-setting bodies; |
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Adverse repercussion from terrorist attacks or acts of war; |
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Adverse changes in the business or financial condition of the Company; and |
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Lower credit ratings for Questar and/or its subsidiaries. |
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures |
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a. Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"). Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in alerting them on a timely basis to material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, required to be included in the Company's reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act. |
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b. Changes in Internal Controls. Since the Evaluation Date, there have not been any significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect such controls. |
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Exhibit No. 3 |
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BYLAWS |
of |
QUESTAR CORPORATION |
A Utah Corporation |
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SECTION 1. The principal office shall be in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah. The Corporation may also have an office at such other places as the Board of Directors may from time to time appoint or the business of the Corporation may require. |
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SEAL |
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SECTION 2. The corporate seal shall be inscribed with the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization, and the words "Corporate Seal, Utah." The seal may be used by causing it, or a facsimile thereof, to be impressed, affixed or reproduced. |
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STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS |
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SECTION 3. All meetings of the stockholders shall be held at the office of the Corporation in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, State of Utah or any other convenient location within the United States as the Board of Directors may fix. |
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SECTION 4. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such date and time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, at which stockholders shall elect, by plurality vote, directors equal in number to those with terms that expire as of the same date and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. |
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SECTION 5. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any proper purpose or purposes may be called by the Board of Directors. Special meetings shall be called by the Chairman or Secretary at the request in writing of the holders entitled to cast at least 10 percent of the votes that all stockholders are entitled to cast on any issue proposed or to be considered at the particular meeting. Such written request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Upon a request from holders entitled to call a special meeting, the Board of Directors shall determine a place and time for such meeting, which time (other than special meetings called pursuant to Utah's Control Shares Acquisition Act) shall be not less than ninety (90) nor more than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the receipt and determination of the validity of such request; and a record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meet ing. Following such receipt and determination, notice shall be delivered to the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting in the manner set forth in the Bylaws that a meeting will be held at the time and place so determined. The Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board of Directors may determine rules and procedures for the conduct of the meeting. |
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SECTION 6. Holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall be requisite and shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws. Abstentions, withheld votes, and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. If, however, such majority shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting, from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until such requisite amount of voting stock shall be present. At such adjourned meeting at which the requisite amount of voting stock shall be represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. |
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SECTION 7. The Secretary shall give, but in case of his failure, any other officer of the Corporation may give, written or printed notice to the stockholders stating the place, day and hour of each meeting of stockholders and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Such notice shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. |
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SECTION 8. Notice of annual or special meeting of stockholders may be given personally, by mail or private carrier, by electronic dissemination, or by any other means recognized under applicable state and federal law. If given by mail, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail or private carrier, addressed to the stockholder at such address as it appears on the stock transfer books of the Corporation, with postage prepaid. |
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SECTION 9. At each meeting of the stockholders, every stockholder having the right to vote shall be entitled to vote in person, or by proxy appointed by an instrument in writing, subscribed by such stockholder and bearing a date not more than eleven months prior to the meeting, unless the instrument provides for a longer period. Each stockholder shall have one vote for each share of stock registered in the stockholder's name on the books of the Corporation as of the record date set for such meeting. The vote for directors, and, upon the demand of any stockholder, the vote upon any question before the meeting, shall be by ballot. All elections shall be had and all questions decided by a plurality vote, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation, or applicable law. For purposes of determining whether a plurality vote, a majority vote or a supermajority vote (if required by the Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation, or applicable law) has been achieved, only votes cast "for" or "against" are included. Abstentions, withheld votes, and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast. |
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SECTION 10. A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the ensuing election shall be prepared and be available for inspection at the Corporation's principal office by any stockholder beginning two business days after notice is given of the meeting for which the list was prepared and continuing throughout the meeting. The list shall be arranged by voting group and by class or series of shares within each voting group and be alphabetical within each voting group or class. The list shall indicate each stockholder's name, address, and number of voting shares. |
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A stockholder, directly or through an agent or attorney, has the right to inspect and copy, at his expense, the list of stockholders prepared in connection with each meeting of stockholders. The stockholder must make a written request to examine the list and must examine it during the Corporation's regular business hours. |
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SECTION 11 Business transacted at all special meetings of the stockholders shall be confined to the objects stated in the call and notice. |
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SECTION 12. Only proposals properly brought before the Corporation's annual or special meeting of stockholders may be considered and voted upon by stockholders. A proposal shall be properly brought before the meeting if it is specified in the notice of such meeting (or any supplement to such notice) mailed by the Corporation to the stockholders, or if it is otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Corporation's Board of Directors, or if such proposal is otherwise properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting who has complied with the procedures specified in this section of the Corporation's Bylaws. A stockholder desiring to make a proposal before the annual meeting that is not contained in the notice of such meeting distributed, by order of the Board of Directors, to the Corporation's stockholders must give timely notice of the proposal, in proper writt en form, to the Corporation's Secretary at the Corporation's principal executive offices. |
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To be timely, a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within twenty-five (25) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs. |
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To be proper written form, a stockholders notice to the Secretary must set forth the following information: (a) a clear and concise statement of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (b) the name and record address of such stockholder, (c) the number of shares of the Corporation's common stock that are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder, (d) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder and any material interest of such stockholder in such business, and (e) a representation that such stockholder is a holder of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before t he meeting. |
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In addition, notwithstanding anything in this section of the Corporation's Bylaws to the contrary, a stockholder intending to nominate one or more persons for election as a director at any annual or special meeting of stockholders must comply with Section 13 of these Bylaws for such nominations to be properly brought before such meeting. |
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No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section of the Corporation's Bylaws. If the Chairman of an annual meeting determines that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall not be conducted at the meeting. |
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No business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders except for such business as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation's notice of meeting or such business as is otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Corporation's Board of Directors. |
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SECTION 13. At any meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected, nominations of persons for election to the Corporation's Board of Directors may be made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors at such meeting. Any stockholder proposing to make such nominations, if other than at the direction of the Board of Directors, may nominate one or more persons for election as directors only if timely notice of such stockholder's intent is given in proper written form to the Corporation's Secretary at the Corporation's principal executive offices. |
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To be timely, a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within twenty-five (25) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs. |
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To be in proper written form, a stockholder's notice to the Secretary must set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (ii) the principal occupation and employment of the person, (iii) the number of shares of the Corporation's common stock that are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (iv) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (or in any law or statute replacing such section), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice (i) the name and record address of such stockholder, (ii) the num ber of shares of the Corporation's common stock that are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder, (iii) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and each proposed nominee and, any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such stockholder, (iv) a representation that such stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting to nominate the person or persons named in its notice, and (v) any other information relating to such stockholder as would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act (or in any law or statute replacing such section) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanies by a written consent, signed by each proposed nominee, to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director of the Corporation if so elected. |
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No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section of the Corporation's Bylaws. If the Chairman of the meeting determined that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination shall be disregarded and not placed upon the ballot. |
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SECTION 14. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, or in his absence, the presiding officer, shall have complete authority to establish the rules of conduct to be followed at any meeting of stockholders and to make all decisions concerning procedural issues or questions raised at any meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that the Chairman or presiding officer shall not take any action or make any decision that contravenes applicable state law |
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DIRECTORS |
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SECTION 15. The property and business of this Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Board shall consist of thirteen directors. The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as the total number of directors constituting the entire Board permits, with the term of office of one class expiring each year. Each class shall hold office for terms expiring at the third Annual Meeting of Stockholders following the most recent election of such class and when their successors are elected and qualified. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any director, or directors, including the entire Board of Directors, may be removed, but only for cause and by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the issued and outstanding stock of the Corporation that is entitled to vote for the elections of directors, and no qualif ication for the office of director that may be provided for in the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws shall apply to any director in office at the time such qualification was adopted or to any successor appointed by the remaining directors to fill the term of such director. |
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SECTION 16. The directors may hold their meetings and have one or more offices and keep the books of the Corporation outside of Utah at such places as they may from time to time determine. |
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SECTION 17. In addition to the powers and authority by these Bylaws expressly conferred upon them, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute of the State of Utah, or by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. |
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COMMITTEES |
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SECTION 18. The Board of Directors, by resolution or resolutions passed by a majority of the whole Board, may designate one or more Committees, one of which Committees shall be known as the Executive Committee, and with each Committee to consist of two or more of the directors of the Corporation. To the extent provided in the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, resolutions, or Statements of Responsibility approved by the Board of Directors, the Committees shall have and may exercise the powers conferred upon them by the Board of Directors. All Committees, except the Executive Committee, when so appointed, shall have such name or names as may be stated in these Bylaws or may be determined from time to time by resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors. |
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SECTION 19. The Committees shall keep regular minutes for their proceedings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required. |
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COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS |
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SECTION 20. Directors, as such, shall not receive any salary for their services, but the Board of Directors by resolution shall fix the fees to be allowed and paid to directors, as such, for their services and provide for the payment of the expenses of the directors incurred by them in performing their duties. Nothing herein contained, however, shall be considered to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. |
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SECTION 21. Fees to members of special or standing committees and expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties, shall also be fixed and allowed by resolution of the Board of Directors. |
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SECTION 22. The Board of Directors may meet at the Corporation's principal office in Salt Lake County, Utah, or at such other place as may be determined by a majority of the members of the Board. |
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SECTION 23. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board. |
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SECTION 24. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board or the President on one day's notice to each director, with such notice given either in person, by telephone, by electronic dissemination, or by any other means recognized under applicable law to the address listed in the corporate records of the Corporation. Special meetings may be called by the President or Secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request of two directors. |
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MEETINGS OF THE BOARD |
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SECTION 25. At all meetings of the Board of Directors a majority of the directors shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws. Directors may participate in a Board meeting and be counted in the quorum by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by which all directors participating in the meeting can hear each other. |
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SECTION 26. Unless the Articles of Incorporation provide otherwise, any acts required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if all the directors take the action, each director signs a written consent describing the action taken, and the consents are filed with the records of the Corporation. Action taken by consent is effective when the last director signs the consent, unless the consent specifies a different effective date. A signed consent has the effect of a meeting vote and may be described as such in any document. |
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SECTION 27. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the directors and shall be as stated in the Articles of Incorporation: a Chairman of the Board of Directors, a President, a Secretary and Treasurer. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more Vice Presidents and other officers as appropriate. The Secretary and Treasurer may be the same person, and the Chairman of the Board or any Vice President may hold at the same time the office of Secretary or Treasurer. |
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SECTION 28. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after each annual meeting shall elect a Chairman of the Board of Directors and a President from their own number; and shall also elect a Secretary and a Treasurer who need not be members of the Board of Directors. At such time, the Board of Directors shall also appoint one or more Vice Presidents. |
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SECTION 29. The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers and agents as it may deem necessary; such officers and agents shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board. |
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SECTION 30. The salaries of all officers and agents of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors. |
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SECTION 31. The officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors. If the office of any officer or officers becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors. |
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CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD |
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SECTION 32. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors. He shall have supervision of such matters as may be designated to him by the Board of Directors. |
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PRESIDENT |
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SECTION 33. Unless another officer is so designated by the Board of Directors, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and shall perform the following duties: |
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(a) In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and directors, have general and active management of the business of the Corporation, and see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect. |
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(b) The President shall execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring the seal, under the seal of the Corporation. |
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(c) The President shall have the general powers and duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of a president of a corporation. |
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If another officer is designated by the Board of Directors as Chief Executive Officer, the President shall have supervision of such matters as shall be designated to him by the Board of Directors and/or the Chief Executive Officer. |
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VICE PRESIDENT |
SECTION 34. The Vice President shall perform the duties prescribed by the President or the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more of the Vice Presidents as Senior Vice Presidents and one or more as Executive Vice Presidents. |
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SECRETARY |
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SECTION 35. (a) The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the stockholders and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing Committees when required. The Secretary shall give or cause to be given notice of all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or President, under whose supervision he shall serve. The Secretary shall keep in safe custody the seal of the Corporation and shall affix the seal to any instrument requiring it and shall attest it. |
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(b) In the absence or disability of the Secretary, the President may designate an employee to serve as Assistant Secretary to perform the responsibilities prescribed in the Bylaws for the Secretary. |
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TREASURER |
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SECTION 36. (a) The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements in moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and directors at the regular meeting of the Board, or whenever they may require it, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. |
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(b) The President may designate an employee to serve as Assistant Treasurer to assist the Treasurer perform his responsibilities. In the absence or disability of the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer shall perform the responsibilities prescribed in the Bylaws for the Treasurer. |
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VACANCIES |
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SECTION 37. If the office of any director or directors becomes vacant by reason of the death, resignation, disqualification, removal from office, or otherwise, the remaining directors, though not less than a quorum, shall choose a successor or successors who shall hold office for the remaining portion of the term or terms of the office left vacant until the successor or successors shall have been duly elected, unless sooner displaced. |
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DUTIES OF OFFICERS MAY BE DELEGATED |
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SECTION 38. In case of the absence of any officer of the Corporation, or for any other reason that the Board of Directors may deem sufficient, the Board may delegate, for the time being, the power or duties, or any of them, of such officer to any other officer, or to any director, provided a majority of the entire Board concur therein. |
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CERTIFICATES OF STOCK |
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SECTION 39. The certificates of stock of the Corporation shall be numbered and shall be entered in the books of the Corporation as they are issued. Every holder of stock shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chief Executive Officer, President or a Vice President and the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation certifying the number of shares owned by him; provided, however, that where such certificate is signed by a transfer agent or an assistant transfer agent or by a transfer clerk, acting in behalf of the Corporation, and a registrar, the signature of any such Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary or Assistant Secretary, may be facsimile. In case any officer or officers, who shall have signed or whose facsimile signature or signatures shall have been used on any such certificate or certificates, shall cease to be such officer or officers of such Corporation, whether because of death, resignation or otherwise, before such certificate or certificates shall have been delivered by the Corporation, such certificate or certificates may nevertheless be adopted by the Corporation and be issued and delivered as though the person or persons, who signed such certificate or certificates or whose facsimile signatures shall have been used thereon, had not ceased to be such officer or officers of the Corporation. |
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TRANSFER OF STOCK |
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SECTION 40. Transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation only by the person named in the certificate, or by an attorney, lawfully constituted in writing, and upon surrender of the certificate therefor, and upon the payment of any transfer tax or transfer fees which may be imposed by law or by the Board of Directors. |
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CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS |
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SECTION 41. The Board of Directors shall have power to close the stock transfer books of the Corporation for a period not exceeding seventy (70) days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders, or the date for payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion, or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or for a period of not exceeding seventy (70) days in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purpose. In lieu of closing the stock transfer books, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date not exceeding seventy (70) days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders, or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights or the date when any change or conversion, or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining such consent, as a record date for the determinati on of the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any such meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any such dividend, or to any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of any such change, conversion, or exchange of capital stock. If a record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, only stockholders as of the record date shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting or to receive payment of dividend or to receive an allotment of rights, notwithstanding any transfer of stock on the books of the Corporation after any such record date. |
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REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS |
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SECTION 42. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share on the part of any person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as expressly provided by the laws of the State of Utah. |
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LOST CERTIFICATE |
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SECTION 43. When authorized by the Secretary of the Corporation in writing, the duly appointed stock transfer agency may issue and the duly appointed registrar may register, new or duplicate stock certificates to replace lost, stolen, or destroyed certificates and for the same number of shares as those lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon delivery to the Corporation of an affidavit of loss and indemnity bond or other undertaking acceptable to both the Secretary and legal counsel representing the Corporation's interests. |
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INSPECTION OF BOOKS |
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SECTION 44. The Corporation shall maintain permanent records of the minutes of all meetings of its stockholders and Board of Directors; all actions taken by the stockholders or Board of Directors without a meeting; and all actions taken by a Committee of the Board of Directors in place of the Board of Directors on behalf of the Corporation. The Corporation shall also maintain appropriate accounting records. |
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A stockholder of the Corporation, directly or through an agent or attorney, shall have the limited rights to inspect and copy the Corporation's records as provided under applicable state law and upon complying with the procedures specified under such law. |
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BANK ACCOUNTS |
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SECTION 45. All checks, demands for money, or other transactions involving the Corporation's bank accounts shall be signed by such officers or other responsible persons as the Board of Directors may designate. No third party is allowed access to the Corporation's bank accounts without express written authorization by the Board of Directors. |
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FISCAL YEAR |
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SECTION 46. The fiscal year shall begin the first day of January in each year. |
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DIVIDENDS |
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SECTION 47. Dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and the laws of the State of Utah, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock. |
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Before payment of any dividend there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors, in their sole discretion, think proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining property of the Corporation, or for such other purposes as the Board of Directors shall think conducive to the interests of the Corporation. |
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ANNUAL STATEMENT |
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SECTION 48. The Chairman of the Board of Directors or any other director so designated by the Board of Directors shall present at each Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and when called for by vote of the stockholders at any special meeting of the stockholders, a full and clear statement of the business and condition of the Corporation. |
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NOTICE |
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SECTION 49. Whenever, under the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or the laws of the State of Utah, notice is required to be given to any director, officer or stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given in writing, by mail or private carrier, by electronic dissemination, or by any other means recognized under applicable state or federal law. If given by mail, the notice shall be mailed on a prepaid basis and shall be addressed to such director, officer, or stockholder, at such address as appears on the books of the Corporation. |
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Any stockholder, director or officer may waive any notice required to be given under these Bylaws or the Articles of Incorporation. |
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AMENDMENTS |
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SECTION 50. These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the directors. These Bylaws may be also amended by the affirmative vote of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at any special or regular meeting of the stockholders if notice of the proposed amendment be contained in the minutes of the meeting. Provided, however, that in addition to any vote required by any other provision of these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation, or any applicable law, if such amendment is to be adopted solely by the stockholders, the affirmative vote of eighty percent of the issued and outstanding stock of the Corporation that is entitled to vote for the election of directors shall be required for any amendment that deletes or changes Section 15 or this Section 50 of these Bylaws; that restricts or limits the powers of the Board of Directors or any other officers or agents of the Corporation; that ves ts any powers of the Corporation in any officer or agent other than the Board of Directors, or officers and agents appointed by the Board of Directors, or officers and agents appointed by officers or agents appointed by the Board of Directors; that requires the approval of any stockholders or any other person or entity in order for the Board of Directors or any other corporate officer or agent to take any action; or that changes the quorum requirement for any meeting of the Board of Directors, the vote by which it must act in connection with any matter, the manner of calling or conducting meetings of directors, or the place of such meeting. |
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INDEMNIFICATION AND LIABILITY INSURANCE |
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SECTION 51. (a) Voluntary Indemnification. Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, the Corporation shall indemnify any individual made a party to a proceeding because he is or was a director of the Corporation, against liability incurred in the proceeding, but only if the Corporation has authorized the payment in accordance with the applicable statutory provisions [Sections 16-10a-902 and 16-10a-904 of Utah's Revised Business Corporation Act] and a determination has been made in accordance with the procedures set forth in such provision that the director conducted himself in good faith; that he reasonably believed that his conduct, if in his official capacity with the Corporation, was in its best interests and that his conduct, in all other cases, was at least not opposed to the Corporation's best interests; and that he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful in the case of any criminal proceeding. |
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(b) The Corporation shall not indemnify a director in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation in which the director was adjudged liable to the Corporation or in connection with any other proceeding charging improper personal benefit to him, whether or not involving action in his official capacity, in which he was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received by him. |
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(c) Indemnification permitted under paragraph (a) in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation is limited to reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding. |
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(d) If a determination is made, using the procedures set forth in the applicable statutory provision, that the director has satisfied the requirements listed herein and if an authorization of payment is made, using the procedures and standards set forth in the applicable statutory provision, then, unless otherwise provided in the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation, the Corporation shall pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is a party to a proceeding in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding if the director furnishes the Corporation a written affirmation of his good faith belief that he has satisfied the standard of conduct described in this Section, furnishes the Corporation a written undertaking, executed personally or on his behalf, to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he did not meet the standard of conduct (which undertaking must be an unlimited general obligation of the director, but need not be secured and may be accepted without reference to financial ability to make repayment); and if a determination is made that the facts then known of those making the determination would not preclude indemnification under this Section. |
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(e) Mandatory Indemnification. Unless otherwise provided in the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation, the Corporation shall indemnify a director or officer of the Corporation who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he was a party because he is or was a director or officer of the Corporation against reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with the proceeding. |
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(f) Court-Ordered Indemnification. Unless otherwise provided in the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation, a director or officer of the Corporation who is or was a party to a proceeding may apply for indemnification to the court conducting the proceeding or to another court of competent jurisdiction. The court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is entitled to mandatory indemnification as provided in this Section and applicable law, in which case the court shall also order the Corporation to pay the reasonable expenses incurred by the director or officer to obtain court-ordered indemnification. The court may also order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not the director or officer met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Section and applicable law. Any indemnification with respect to any proceeding in which liability has been adjudged in the circumstances described in paragraph (b) above is limited to reasonable expenses. |
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(g) Unless otherwise provided in the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation, an officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation shall have the same indemnification rights provided to a director by this Section. The Board of Directors may also indemnify and advance expenses to any officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation, to any extent consistent with public policy as determined by the general or specific purpose of the Board of Directors. |
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(h) Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent or the Corporation, or who, while serving as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, fiduciary or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, other person, of an employee benefit plan, or incurred by him in that capacity or arising from his status as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent, whether or not the Corporation has the power to indemnify him against the same liability under applicable law. |
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