EXHIBIT 3.2
EQUIFAX INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
--------------------------
Effective as of August 1, 2001
EQUIFAX INC.
--------
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
--------
CONTENTS
ARTICLE ONE MEETINGS OF THE SHAREHOLDERS............................... 1
Section 1.1 Annual Meeting................................................ 1
Section 1.2 Special Meetings.............................................. 1
Section 1.3 Notice of Meetings............................................ 1
Section 1.4 Voting Groups................................................. 1
Section 1.5 Quorum........................................................ 1
Section 1.6 Vote Required for Action...................................... 2
Section 1.7 Adjournments.................................................. 2
Section 1.8 Presiding Officer............................................. 2
Section 1.9 Voting of Shares.............................................. 2
Section 1.10 Proxies....................................................... 2
Section 1.11 Record Date................................................... 3
Section 1.12 Shareholder Proposals and Nominations......................... 3
ARTICLE TWO BOARD OF DIRECTORS.......................................... 5
Section 2.1 General....................................................... 5
Section 2.2 Number of Directors and Term of Office........................ 5
Section 2.3 Election of Directors......................................... 6
Section 2.4 Vacancies..................................................... 6
Section 2.5 Term Limits................................................... 6
Section 2.6 Stock Ownership Requirements.................................. 6
Section 2.7 Regular Meetings.............................................. 6
Section 2.8 Special Meetings.............................................. 6
Section 2.9 Notice of Meetings............................................ 7
Section 2.10 Quorum; Adjournments.......................................... 7
Section 2.11 Vote Required for Action...................................... 7
Section 2.12 Action by Directors Without a Meeting......................... 7
Section 2.13 Compensation of Directors..................................... 7
ARTICLE THREE ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES...................... 8
Section 3.1 Election of Officers.......................................... 8
Section 3.2. Executive Committee........................................... 8
Section 3.3. Other Committees.............................................. 8
ARTICLE FOUR OFFICERS.................................................. 9
Section 4.1 Officers...................................................... 9
Section 4.2 Compensation of Officers...................................... 9
Section 4.3 Chairman of the Board......................................... 9
Section 4.4 Vice Chairman of the Board.................................... 9
Section 4.5 Chief Executive Officer....................................... 9
Section 4.6 President..................................................... 10
Section 4.7 Chief Operating Officer....................................... 10
Section 4.8 Executive Vice Presidents..................................... 10
Section 4.9 Vice Presidents............................................... 10
Section 4.10 Treasurer..................................................... 10
Section 4.11 Secretary..................................................... 11
Section 4.12 Voting of Stock............................................... 11
ARTICLE FIVE INDEMNIFICATION........................................... 11
Section 5.1 Definitions................................................... 11
Section 5.2 Basic Indemnification Arrangement............................. 12
Section 5.3 Advances for Expenses......................................... 13
Section 5.4 Court-Ordered Indemnification and Advances for Expenses....... 13
Section 5.5 Determination of Reasonableness of Expenses................... 13
Section 5.6 Indemnification of Employees and Agents....................... 14
Section 5.7 Liability Insurance........................................... 14
Section 5.8 Witness Fees.................................................. 15
Section 5.9 Report to Shareholders........................................ 15
Section 5.10 No Duplication of Payments.................................... 15
Section 5.11 Subrogation................................................... 15
Section 5.12 Contract Rights............................................... 15
Section 5.13 Amendments.................................................... 15
ARTICLE SIX CAPITAL STOCK............................................... 16
Section 6.1 Direct Registration of Shares................................. 16
Section 6.2 Certificates for Shares....................................... 16
Section 6.3 Transfer of Shares............................................ 16
Section 6.4 Duty of Company to Register Transfer.......................... 16
Section 6.5 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates........................ 17
Section 6.6 Authorization to Issue Shares and Regulations Regarding
Transfer and Registration..................................... 17
ARTICLE SEVEN DISTRIBUTIONS AND DIVIDENDS.............................. 17
Section 7.1 Authorization or Declaration.................................. 17
Section 7.2 Record Date with Regard to Distributions and Share Dividends.. 17
ARTICLE EIGHT MISCELLANEOUS............................................ 17
Section 8.1 Corporate Seal................................................ 17
Section 8.2 Inspection of Books and Records............................... 17
Section 8.3 Conflict with Articles of Incorporation or Code............... 18
Section 8.4 Severability.................................................. 18
ARTICLE NINE AMENDMENTS.............................................. 18
Section 9.1 Amendments.................................................... 18
ARTICLE TEN FAIR PRICE REQUIREMENTS................................. 18
Section 10.1 Fair Price Requirements...................................... 18
ARTICLE ELEVEN BUSINESS COMBINATIONS................................... 18
Section 11.1 Business Combinations........................................ 18
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
EQUIFAX INC.
-------------------
ARTICLE ONE
MEETINGS OF THE SHAREHOLDERS
Section 1.1 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the Shareholders of the
--------------
Company (the "Annual Meeting") shall be held during the first five months after
the end of each fiscal year of the Company at such time and place, within or
without the State of Georgia, as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, for
the purpose of electing Directors and for the transaction of such other business
as may be properly brought before the meeting.
Section 1.2 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Shareholders may be
----------------
held at the principal office of the Company in the State of Georgia or at such
other place, within or without the State of Georgia, as may be named in the call
therefor. Such special meetings may be called by the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, the Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the
Board of Directors by vote at a meeting, a majority of the Directors in writing
without a meeting, or by unanimous call of the Shareholders.
Section 1.3 Notice of Meetings. Unless waived in accordance with the
------------------
Georgia Business Corporation Code as amended from time to time (the "Code"), a
notice of each meeting of Shareholders stating the date, time and place of the
meeting shall be given not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days before the
date thereof to each Shareholder entitled to vote at that meeting. In the case
of an Annual Meeting, the notice need not state the purpose or purposes of the
meeting unless the Articles of Incorporation or the Code requires the purpose or
purposes to be stated in the notice of the meeting. Any irregularity in such
notice shall not affect the validity of the Annual Meeting or any action taken
at such meeting. In the case of a special meeting of the Shareholders, the
notice of meeting shall state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is
called, and only business within the purpose or purposes described in such
notice may be conducted at the meeting.
Section 1.4 Voting Groups. "Voting group" as used in these Bylaws means
-------------
all shares of one or more classes or series that are entitled to vote and be
counted together collectively on a matter at a meeting of Shareholders. All
shares entitled to vote generally on the matter are for that purpose a single
voting group.
Section 1.5 Quorum. With respect to shares entitled to vote as a separate
------
voting group on a matter at a meeting of Shareholders, the presence, in person
or by proxy, of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter by the
voting group shall constitute a quorum of that voting group for action on that
matter unless the Articles of Incorporation or the Code provides otherwise.
Once a share is represented for any purpose at a meeting, other than solely to
object to holding the meeting or to transacting business at the meeting, it is
deemed present for quorum
purposes for the remainder of the meeting and for any adjournment of the meeting
unless a new record date is or must be set for the adjourned meeting pursuant to
Section 1.11 of these Bylaws.
Section 1.6 Vote Required for Action. If a quorum exists, action on a
------------------------
matter (other than the election of Directors) is approved if the votes cast
favoring the action exceed the votes cast opposing the action, unless the
Articles of Incorporation, provisions of these Bylaws validly adopted by the
Shareholders, or the Code requires a greater number of affirmative votes. If
the Articles of Incorporation or the Code provide for voting by two or more
voting groups on a matter, action on that matter is taken only when voted upon
by each of those voting groups counted separately.
Section 1.7 Adjournments. Whether or not a quorum is present to organize
------------
a meeting, any meeting of Shareholders (including an adjourned meeting) may be
adjourned by the holders of a majority of the voting shares represented at the
meeting to reconvene at a specific time and place, but no later than 120 days
after the date fixed for the original meeting unless the requirements of the
Code concerning the selection of a new record date have been met.
Section 1.8 Presiding Officer. The Chairman of the Board shall call the
-----------------
meeting of the Shareholders to order and shall act as chairman of such meeting.
In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the meeting shall be called to
order by any one of the following officers then present, in the following order:
any Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the
senior Executive Vice President, the next senior Executive Vice President, or
any one of the Vice Presidents, who shall act as chairman of the meeting. The
Secretary of the Company shall act as secretary of the meeting of the
Shareholders. In the absence of the Secretary, at any meeting of the
Shareholders, the presiding officer may appoint any person to act as secretary
of the meeting.
Section 1.9 Voting of Shares. Unless the Articles of Incorporation or the
----------------
Code provides otherwise, each outstanding share having voting rights shall be
entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of
Shareholders.
Section 1.10 Proxies. A Shareholder entitled to vote pursuant to Section
-------
1.9 may vote in person or by proxy pursuant to an appointment of proxy executed
by the Shareholder either in writing or pursuant to an electronic or telephonic
transmission, provided that the transmission contains or is accompanied by
information from which it can be determined that the Shareholder authorized the
transmission. An appointment of proxy shall be valid for only one meeting to be
specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting, but shall not be valid
for more than eleven months unless expressly provided therein. Appointments of
proxy shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting to which they
relate. If the validity of any appointment of proxy is questioned, it must be
submitted for examination to the Secretary of the Company or to a proxy officer
or committee appointed by the Board of Directors. The Secretary or, if
appointed, the proxy officer or committee shall determine the validity or
invalidity of any appointment of proxy submitted, and reference by the Secretary
in the minutes of the meeting to the regularity of an appointment of proxy shall
be received as prima facie evidence of the facts stated for the purpose of
establishing the presence of a quorum at the meeting and for all other purposes.
2
Section 1.11 Record Date. For the purpose of determining Shareholders
-----------
entitled to notice of a meeting of the Shareholders, to demand a special
meeting, to vote, or to take any other action, the Board of Directors may fix a
future date as the record date, which date shall be not more than 70 days prior
to the date on which the particular action, requiring a determination of the
Shareholders, is to be taken. A determination of the Shareholders entitled to
notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Shareholders is effective for any
adjournment of the meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record
date, which it must do if the meeting is adjourned to a date more than 120 days
after the date fixed for the original meeting. If no record date is fixed by
the Board of Directors, the 70th day preceding the date on which the particular
action, requiring a determination of the Shareholders, is to be taken shall be
the record date for that purpose.
Section 1.12 Shareholder Proposals and Nominations.
-------------------------------------
(a) No proposal for a Shareholder vote shall be submitted by a
Shareholder (a "Shareholder Proposal") to the Company's Shareholders
unless the Shareholder submitting such proposal (the "Proponent")
shall have filed a written notice setting forth with particularity (i)
the names and business addresses of the Proponent and all natural
persons, corporations, partnerships, trusts or any other type of legal
entity or recognized ownership vehicle (collectively, a "Person")
acting in concert with the Proponent; (ii) the name and address of the
Proponent and the Persons identified in clause (i), as they appear on
the Company's books (if they so appear); (iii) the class and number of
shares of the Company beneficially owned by the Proponent and by each
Person identified in clause (i); (iv) a description of the Shareholder
Proposal containing all material information relating thereto; (v) for
proposals sought to be included in the Company's proxy statement, any
other information required by Securities and Exchange Commission Rule
14a-8; and (vi) such other information as the Board of Directors
reasonably determines is necessary or appropriate to enable the Board
of Directors and Shareholders of the Company to consider the
Shareholder Proposal. The presiding officer at any meeting of the
Shareholders may determine that any Shareholder Proposal was not made
in accordance with the procedures prescribed in these Bylaws or is
otherwise not in accordance with law, and if it is so determined, such
officer shall so declare at the meeting and the Shareholder Proposal
shall be disregarded.
(b) Only persons who are selected and recommended by the Board of
Directors or the committee of the Board of Directors designated to
make nominations, or who are nominated by Shareholders in accordance
with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.12, shall be eligible
for election, or qualified to serve, as Directors. Nominations of
individuals for election to the Board of Directors of the Company at
any Annual Meeting or any special meeting of Shareholders at which
Directors are to be elected may be made by any Shareholder of the
Company entitled to vote for the election of Directors at that meeting
by compliance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.12.
Nominations by Shareholders shall be made by written notice (a
"Nomination Notice"), which shall set forth (i) as to each individual
nominated, (A) the name,
3
date of birth, business address and residence address of such
individual; (B) the business experience during the past five years of
such nominee, including his or her principal occupations and
employment during such period, the name and principal business of any
corporation or other organization in which such occupations and
employment were carried on, and such other information as to the
nature of his or her responsibilities and level of professional
competence as may be sufficient to permit assessment of such prior
business experience; (C) whether the nominee is or has ever been at
any time a director, officer or owner of five percent or more of any
class of capital stock, partnership interests or other equity interest
of any corporation, partnership or other entity; (D) any directorships
held by such nominee in any company with a class of securities
registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of
such Act or any company registered as an investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; (E) whether such nominee
has ever been convicted in a criminal proceeding or has ever been
subject to a judgment, order, finding or decree of any federal, state
or other governmental entity, concerning any violation of federal,
state or other law, or any proceeding in bankruptcy, which conviction,
order, finding, decree or proceeding may be material to an evaluation
of the ability or integrity of the nominee; and (F) all other
information relating to such individual that is required to be
disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of Directors in an
election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to
Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended;
and (ii) as to the Person submitting the Nomination Notice and any
Person acting in concert with such Person, (X) the name and business
address of such Person, (Y) the name and address of such Person as
they appear on the Company's books (if they so appear), and (Z) the
class and number of shares of the Company that are beneficially owned
by such Person. A written consent to being named in a proxy statement
as a nominee, and to serve as a Director if elected, signed by the
nominee, shall be filed with any Nomination Notice, together with
evidence satisfactory to the Company that such nominee has no
interests that would limit his or her ability to fulfill his or her
duties of office. If the presiding officer at any meeting of the
Shareholders determines that a nomination was not made in accordance
with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws, such officer shall so
declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be
disregarded.
(c) If a Shareholder Proposal or Nomination Notice is to be submitted
at an Annual Meeting of the Shareholders, it shall be delivered to and
received by the Secretary of the Company at the principal executive
office of the Company at least 120 days before the first anniversary
of the date that the Company's proxy statement was released to
Shareholders in connection with the previous year's Annual Meeting of
Shareholders. However, if no Annual Meeting of the Shareholders was
held in the previous year or if the date of the Annual Meeting of the
Shareholders has been changed by more than 30 days from the date
contemplated at the time of the previous year's proxy statement, the
notice shall
4
be delivered to and received by the Secretary at the principal
executive offices of the Company not later than the last to occur of
(i) the date that is 150 days prior to the date of the contemplated
Annual Meeting or (ii) the date that is 10 days after the date of the
first public announcement or other notification to the Shareholders of
the date of the contemplated Annual Meeting. Subject to Section 1.3 as
to matters that may be acted upon at a special meeting of the
Shareholders, if a Shareholder Proposal or Nomination Notice is to be
submitted at a special meeting of the Shareholders, it shall be
delivered to the Secretary of the Company at the principal executive
office of the Company no later than the close of business on the
earlier of (i) the 30th day following the public announcement that a
matter will be submitted to a vote of the Shareholders at a special
meeting, or (ii) the 10th day following the day on which notice of the
special meeting was given. In addition, if a Shareholder intends to
solicit proxies from the Shareholders of the Company for any meeting
of the Shareholders, such Shareholder shall notify the Company of this
intent in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission
Rule 14a-4.
ARTICLE TWO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 2.1 General. Subject to the Articles of Incorporation, all
-------
corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the
business and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction of, the
Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred
upon it by these Bylaws and the Articles of Incorporation, the Board of
Directors may exercise all such lawful acts and things as are not by law, by the
Articles of Incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be
exercised or done by the Shareholders.
Section 2.2 Number of Directors and Term of Office. The number of
--------------------------------------
Directors shall be not less than five, nor more than fifteen and shall be fixed
within such range by the Board of Directors. The Directors shall be divided
into three classes, designated as Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class
shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of
Directors constituting the entire Board of Directors. Each initial Director in
Class I shall hold office for a term that expires at the first Annual Meeting of
the Shareholders after his election; each initial Director in Class II shall
hold office for a term that expires at the second Annual Meeting of the
Shareholders after his election; and each initial Director in Class III shall
hold office for a term that expires at the third Annual Meeting of the
Shareholders after his election. At each Annual Meeting of the Shareholders,
successors to the class of Directors whose term expires at that Annual Meeting
of the Shareholders shall be elected for a three-year term. If the number of
Directors has changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the
classes so as to maintain the number of Directors in each class as nearly equal
as possible. Any additional Director of any class elected by the Shareholders
to the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such a
class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term
of that class. Any additional Director of any class elected by the Board of
Directors to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such a class shall
hold office for a term that shall expire at the next Annual Meeting of the
Shareholders, and, if such newly-created
5
directorship is to be continued, a nominee therefor shall be submitted to the
Shareholders for their vote. In no case shall a decrease in the number of
Directors for a class shorten the term of an incumbent Director. A Director
shall hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders for the year in
which such Director's term expires and until his or her successor shall be
elected and qualified, subject, however, to prior death, resignation,
retirement, disqualification or removal from office.
Section 2.3 Election of Directors. Unless otherwise provided in the
---------------------
Articles of Incorporation or the Code, Directors shall be elected by a plurality
of the votes cast by the shares entitled to vote in the election at a meeting of
Shareholders at which a quorum is present.
Section 2.4 Vacancies. Any vacancy on the Board of Directors that results
---------
from an increase in the number of Directors or from prior death, resignation,
retirement, disqualification or removal from office of a Director shall be
filled by a majority of the Board of Directors then in office, though less than
a quorum, or by the sole remaining Director. Any Director elected to fill a
vacancy resulting from prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or
removal from office of a director, shall have the same remaining term as that of
his or her predecessor.
Section 2.5 Term Limits. A Director reaching 70 years of age (or 65 years
-----------
of age for Directors who are also employees of the Company) or ceasing to
continue a regular business relationship (as defined below) shall automatically
retire from the Board, except that a non-employee Director who ceases to
continue a regular business relationship may continue serving as a Director
until the next Annual Meeting of the Shareholders or 70 years of age, whichever
first occurs. Notwithstanding the preceding, a non-employee Director, or a
retiring Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (or either) may, at
the request of the Executive Committee and if ratified by the Board, continue to
serve as a Director until age 70 if he or she continues in a position or
business activity that the Board determines would be of substantial benefit to
the Company. For purposes of this Section 2.5, the expression "regular business
relationship" means a relationship as an employee, consultant or officer of a
substantial business, professional or educational organization, which requires
exercise of business judgment on a regular basis, and which is not lower in
seniority than the position with such organization occupied by the Director at
the time of the Director's first election to the Board of Directors of the
Company.
Section 2.6 Stock Ownership Requirement. Every Director shall be a
---------------------------
Shareholder of the Company. Directors shall serve for the terms for which they
are elected and until their successors shall have been duly chosen, unless any
such term is sooner ended as herein permitted; provided, however, that if a
Director ceases to be a Shareholder, the disposition of the stock shall
constitute a resignation of the Director's office as a Director.
Section 2.7 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors
----------------
shall be held at such times as the Board of Directors may determine from time to
time.
Section 2.8 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors
----------------
shall be held whenever called by the direction of the Chairman of the Board or
in his or her absence, any Vice Chairman, or by the Chief Executive Officer.
Special meetings of the Board may also be called by one-third of the Directors
then in office. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice
6
thereof, any and all business of the Company may be transacted at any special
meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 2.9 Notice of Meetings. Unless waived in accordance with the
------------------
Code, notice of each regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors,
stating the date, time and place of the meeting, shall be given not less than
two days before the date thereof to each Director.
Section 2.10 Quorum; Adjournments. Unless the Code, the Articles of
--------------------
Incorporation or these Bylaws provide for a different number, a majority of the
Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Whether or not a quorum is present to organize a meeting, any meeting of
Directors (including a reconvened meeting) may be adjourned by a majority of the
Directors present, to reconvene at a specific time and place. At any adjourned
meeting, any business may be transacted that could have been transacted at the
meeting prior to adjournment. If notice of the original meeting was properly
given, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of the adjourned meeting or
of the business to be transacted if the date, time and place of the adjourned
meeting are announced at the meeting prior to adjournment.
Section 2.11 Vote Required for Action. If a quorum is present when a vote
------------------------
is taken, the affirmative vote of a majority of Directors present is the act of
the Board of Directors unless the Code, the Articles of Incorporation, or these
Bylaws provide for the vote of a different number of Directors or of specific
Directors.
Section 2.12 Action by Directors Without a Meeting. Any action required
-------------------------------------
or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any action
that may be taken at a meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors may be
taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all the members of the Board
of Directors or of the committee, as the case may be. The action must be
evidenced by one or more written consents describing the action taken, signed by
each Director or each Director serving on the committee, as the case may be, and
delivered to the Company for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the
corporate records.
Section 2.13 Compensation of Directors. Directors who are salaried
-------------------------
officers or employees of the Company shall receive no additional compensation
for service as a Director or as a member of a committee of the Board of
Directors. Each Director who is not a salaried officer or employee of the
Company shall be compensated as set forth below. A Director may also serve the
Company in a capacity other than that of Director or employee and receive
compensation, as determined by the Board of Directors, for services rendered in
any other capacity.
Subject to the above, (i) the Chairman of the Board shall receive a fee of
$7,500 per quarter, and each other Director shall receive a fee of $5,000 per
quarter, for services as a Director, (ii) the Chairman of the Executive
Committee shall receive an additional fee of $4,000 per quarter and any other
member of the Executive Committee shall receive an additional fee of $1,000 per
quarter, (iii) any Director who is chairman of any other committee elected or
appointed by the Board shall receive an additional fee of $1,000 per quarter,
and (iv) each Director shall also receive a fee of $1,000 for attendance at any
meeting of the Board or of a committee thereof. In addition, each Director who
is not a salaried officer or employee of the
7
Company shall be entitled to receive stock option awards as provided for under
the Equifax Inc. Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, or any successor plan
or plans.
ARTICLE THREE
ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
Section 3.1 Election of Officers. At the April meeting of the Board of
--------------------
Directors in each year, or, if not done at that time, then at any subsequent
meeting, the Board of Directors shall proceed to the election of executive
officers of the Company, and of the Executive Committee, as hereinafter provided
for.
Section 3.2 Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may elect from
-------------------
their members an Executive Committee which shall include the Chairman of the
Board, the Chief Executive Officer, and the President. The Executive Committee,
if any, shall consist of not less than three nor more than five members, the
precise number to be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors from time to
time.
(a) Each member shall serve for one year and until his or her
successor shall have been elected, unless that term is sooner
terminated by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall
fill the vacancies in the Executive Committee by election. The
Chairman of the Board, if there is one, or, if not, the Chief
Executive Officer, shall be the Chairman of the Executive Committee.
(b) All action by the Executive Committee shall be reported to the
Board of Directors at its meeting next succeeding such action, and
shall be subject to revision or alteration by the Board of Directors,
provided that no rights or interests of third parties shall be
affected by any such revision or alteration. The Executive Committee
shall fix its own rules and proceedings, and shall meet where and as
provided by such rules or by resolution of the Board of Directors. In
every case, the affirmative vote of a majority of all the members of
the Committee shall be necessary to its adoption of any resolution.
(c) Except as prohibited by the Code, during the interval between the
meetings of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee shall
possess and may exercise all the powers of the Board in the management
of all the affairs of the Company, including the making of contracts,
the purchase and sale of property, the execution of legal instruments
and all other matters in which specific direction shall not have been
given by the Board of Directors.
Section 3.3 Other Committees. The Board of Directors is authorized and
----------------
empowered to appoint from its own body or from the officers of the Company, or
both, such other committees as it may think best, and may delegate to or confer
upon such committees all or such part of its powers except as prohibited by the
Code, and may prescribe the exercise thereof as it may deem proper.
8
ARTICLE FOUR
OFFICERS
Section 4.1 Officers; Term Limits. The officers of the Company, unless
---------------------
otherwise provided by the Board of Directors from time to time, shall consist of
the following: a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a President,
a Chief Operating Officer, one or more Vice Presidents (one or more of whom may
be designated Executive Vice President, one or more of whom may be designated
Corporate Vice President and one or more of whom may be designated Senior Vice
President), a Treasurer, and a Secretary, who shall be elected by the Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors may from time to time elect a Vice Chairman
of the Board. The Board of Directors, or any officer to whom the Board may
delegate such authority, may also appoint such other officers as it or they may
see fit, and may prescribe their respective duties. All officers, however
elected or appointed, may be removed with or without cause by the Board of
Directors, and any officer appointed by another officer may also be removed,
with or without cause, by the appointing officer or any officer senior to the
appointing officer. Any two or more of the offices may be filled by the same
person. No person shall serve as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer (or either), beyond his or her 65th birthday.
Section 4.2 Compensation of Officers. The Board of Directors or Executive
------------------------
Committee shall approve the salaries of all elected officers and such other
employees as may be designated by the Board of Directors or Executive Committee,
except that salaries of members of the Executive Committee shall be fixed by the
Compensation and Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors or by the
Board of Directors.
Section 4.3 Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall
---------------------
preside at all meetings of the Shareholders, the Board of Directors, and the
Executive Committee. Except where by law the signature of the Chief Executive
Officer or President is required, the Chairman of the Board shall have the same
power as the Chief Executive Officer or President to sign all authorized
certificates, contracts, bonds, deeds, mortgages, and other instruments. The
Chairman of the Board shall have such other powers and duties as from time to
time may be assigned by the Board of Directors.
Section 4.4 Vice Chairman of the Board. It shall be the duty of the Vice
--------------------------
Chairman of the Board, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, to preside
at meetings of the Shareholders, at meetings of the Directors, and at meetings
of the Executive Committee. The Vice Chairman shall do and perform all acts
incident to the office of Vice Chairman, subject to the approval and direction
of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.5 Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall
-----------------------
direct the business and policies of the Company and shall have such other powers
and duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors. In
the event of a vacancy in the offices of Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board
or during the absence or disability of the Chairman and any Vice Chairman, the
Chief Executive Officer shall have all of the rights, powers and authority given
hereunder to the Chairman of the Board. The Chief Executive Officer, in the
absence of the Chairman and any Vice Chairman of the Board, shall preside at
meetings of the Shareholders, at meetings of the Directors and at meetings of
the Executive Committee. The Chief Executive Officer may sign all authorized
certificates, contracts, bonds, deeds, mortgages
9
and other instruments, except in cases in which the signing thereof shall have
been expressly and exclusively delegated to some other officer or agent of the
Company. In general, the Chief Executive Officer shall have the usual powers and
duties incident to the office of a Chief Executive Officer of a corporation and
such other powers and duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board
of Directors or a committee thereof.
Section 4.6 President. The President shall have general charge of the
---------
business of the Company subject to the specific direction and approval of the
Board of Directors. If the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board is not
designated Chief Executive Officer by the Board of Directors, the President
shall also serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company if so designated by
the Board of Directors. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Chief
Executive Officer or during the absence or disability of the Chief Executive
Officer, the President shall serve as Chief Executive Officer and shall have all
of the rights, powers and authority given hereunder to the Chief Executive
Officer. The President may sign all authorized certificates, contracts, bonds,
deeds, mortgages and other instruments, except in cases in which the signing
thereof shall have been expressly and exclusively delegated to some other
officer or agent of the Company. In general, the President shall have the usual
powers and duties incident to the office of a president of a corporation and
such other powers and duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board
of Directors, a committee thereof, or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 4.7 Chief Operating Officer. The Chief Operating Officer shall
-----------------------
have responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Company. The Chief
Operating Officer may sign all authorized certificates, contracts, bonds, deeds,
mortgages and other instruments, except in cases in which the signing thereof
shall have been expressly and exclusively delegated to some other officer or
agent of the Company. In general, the Chief Operating Officer shall have the
usual powers and duties incident to the office of a Chief Operating Officer of a
corporation and such other powers and duties as from time to time may be
assigned by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof, the Chief Executive
Officer or the President.
Section 4.8 Executive Vice Presidents. Each shall have authority, on
-------------------------
behalf of the Company, to execute, approve, or accept agreements for service,
bids, or other contracts, and shall sign such other instruments as each is
authorized or directed to sign by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof
or by the Chief Executive Officer or the President. Each shall do and perform
all acts incident to the office of the Executive Vice President of the Company
or as may be directed by its Board of Directors or its committees or the Chief
Executive Officer or the President.
Section 4.9 Vice Presidents. There shall be one or more Vice Presidents
---------------
of the Company, as the Board of Directors may from time to time elect. Each
Vice President shall have such power and perform such duties as may be assigned
by or under the authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.10 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the
---------
custody of all funds and securities belonging to the Company and for the
receipt, deposit or disbursement of funds and securities under the direction of
the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall cause to be maintained full and
true accounts of all receipts and disbursements and shall make reports of the
10
same to the Board of Directors, its committees, the Chief Executive Officer, and
the President upon request. The Treasurer shall perform all duties as may be
assigned from time to time by or under the authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.11 Secretary. The Secretary shall be responsible for preparing
---------
minutes of the acts and proceedings of all meetings of the Shareholders and of
the Board of Directors and any committees thereof. The Secretary shall have
authority to give all notices required by law or these Bylaws, and shall be
responsible for the custody of the corporate books, records, contracts and other
documents. The Secretary may affix the corporate seal to any lawfully executed
documents and shall sign any instruments as may require the Secretary's
signature. The Secretary shall authenticate records of the Company and shall
perform whatever additional duties and have whatever additional powers as may be
assigned by or under the authority of the Board of Directors from time to time.
In the absence or disability of the Secretary or at the direction of the Chief
Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary may
perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary.
Section 4.12 Voting of Stock. Unless otherwise ordered by the Board of
---------------
Directors or Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Board, any Vice Chairman,
the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Executive Vice President of
the Company shall have full power and authority in behalf of the Company to
attend and to act and to vote at any meetings of shareholders of any corporation
in which the Company may hold stock, and at such meetings may possess and shall
exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such stock
exercisable at such meetings. The Board of Directors or Executive Committee, by
resolution from time to time, may confer like powers upon any other person or
persons.
ARTICLE FIVE
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 5.1 Definitions. As used in this Article, the term:
-----------
(a) "Company" includes any domestic or foreign predecessor entity of
the Company in a merger or other transaction in which the
predecessor's existence ceased upon consummation of the transaction.
(b) "Director" or "Officer" means an individual who is or was a member
of the Board of Directors or an officer elected by the Board of
Directors, respectively, or who, while a member of the Board of
Directors or an officer of the Company, is or was serving at the
Company's request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee,
or agent of another domestic or foreign corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity. An
individual is considered to be serving an employee benefit plan at the
Company's request if his or her duties to the Company also impose
duties on, or otherwise involve services by, the individual to the
plan or to participants in or beneficiaries of the plan. "Director"
or "Officer" includes, unless the context otherwise requires, the
estate or personal representative of a Director or Officer.
11
(c) "Disinterested Director" or "Disinterested Officer" means a
Director or Officer, respectively, who at the time of an evaluation
referred to in subsection 5.5(b) is not:
(1) A Party to the Proceeding; or
(2) An individual having a familial, financial, professional, or
employment relationship with the person whose advance for
Expenses is the subject of the decision being made with respect
to the Proceeding, which relationship would, in the
circumstances, reasonably be expected to exert an influence on
the Director's or Officer's judgment when voting on the decision
being made.
(d) "Expenses" includes counsel fees.
(e) "Liability" means the obligation to pay a judgment, settlement,
penalty, fine (including an excise tax assessed with respect to an
employee benefit plan), and reasonable Expenses incurred with respect
to a Proceeding.
(f) "Party" includes an individual who was, is, or is threatened to be
made a named defendant or respondent in a Proceeding.
(g) "Proceeding" means any threatened, pending, or completed action,
suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative,
arbitrative or investigative and whether formal or informal.
(h) "Reviewing Party" shall mean the person or persons making the
determination as to reasonableness of Expenses pursuant to Section 5.5
of this Article, and shall not include a court making any
determination under this Article or otherwise.
Section 5.2 Basic Indemnification Arrangement.
---------------------------------
(a) The Company shall indemnify an individual who is a Party to a
Proceeding because he or she is or was a Director or Officer against
Liability incurred in the Proceeding; provided, however, that the
Company shall not indemnify a Director or Officer under this Article
for any Liability incurred in a Proceeding in which the Director or
Officer is adjudged liable to the Company or is subjected to
injunctive relief in favor of the Company:
(1) For any appropriation, in violation of his or her duties, of
any business opportunity of the Company;
(2) For acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct or
a knowing violation of law;
12
(3) For the types of liability set forth in Section 14-2-832 of
the Code; or
(4) For any transaction from which he or she received an improper
personal benefit.
(b) If any person is entitled under any provision of this Article to
indemnification by the Company for some portion of Liability incurred,
but not the total amount thereof, the Company shall indemnify such
person for the portion of such Liability to which such person is
entitled.
Section 5.3 Advances for Expenses.
---------------------
(a) The Company shall, before final disposition of a Proceeding,
advance funds to pay for or reimburse the reasonable Expenses incurred
by a Director or Officer who is a Party to a Proceeding because he or
she is a Director or Officer if he or she delivers to the Company:
(1) A written affirmation of his or her good faith belief that
his or her conduct does not constitute behavior of the kind
described in subsection 5.2(a) above; and
(2) His or her written undertaking (meeting the qualifications
set forth below in subsection 5.3(b)) to repay any funds advanced
if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to
indemnification under this Article or the Code.
(b) The undertaking required by subsection 5.3(a)(2) above must be an
unlimited general obligation of the proposed indemnitee but need not
be secured and shall be accepted without reference to the financial
ability of the proposed indemnitee to make repayment. If a Director
or Officer seeks to enforce his or her rights to indemnification in a
court pursuant to Section 5.4 below, such undertaking to repay shall
not be applicable or enforceable unless and until there is a final
court determination that he or she is not entitled to indemnification,
as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or have expired.
Section 5.4 Court-Ordered Indemnification and Advances for Expenses. A
-------------------------------------------------------
Director or Officer who is a Party to a Proceeding shall have the rights to
court-ordered indemnification and advances for expenses as provided in the Code.
Section 5.5 Determination of Reasonableness of Expenses.
-------------------------------------------
(a) The Company acknowledges that indemnification of, and advance
expenses to, a Director or Officer under Section 5.2 has been pre-
authorized by the Company as permitted by Section 14-2-859(a) of the
Code, and that pursuant to the authority exercised under Section 14-2-
856 of the Code, no determination need be made for a specific
Proceeding that such indemnification of or advances
13
of expenses to the Director or Officer is permissible in the
circumstances because he or she has met a particular standard of
conduct. Nevertheless, except as set forth in subsection 5.5(b) below,
evaluation as to reasonableness of Expenses of a Director or Officer
for a specific Proceeding shall be made as follows:
(1) If there are two or more Disinterested Directors, by the
Board of Directors of the Company by a majority vote of all
Disinterested Directors (a majority of whom shall for such
purpose constitute a quorum) or by a majority of the members of a
committee of two or more Disinterested Directors appointed by
such a vote; or
(2) If there are fewer than two Disinterested Directors, by the
Board of Directors (in which determination Directors who do not
qualify as Disinterested Directors may participate); or
(3) By the Shareholders, but shares owned by or voted under the
control of a Director or Officer who at the time does not qualify
as a Disinterested Director or Disinterested Officer may not be
voted on the determination.
(b) Notwithstanding the requirement under subsection 5.5(a) that the
Reviewing Party evaluate the reasonableness of Expenses claimed by the
proposed indemnitee, any Expenses claimed by the proposed indemnitee
shall be deemed reasonable if the Reviewing Party fails to make the
evaluation required by subsection 5.5(a) within sixty (60) days
following the later of:
(1) The Company's receipt of the affirmative undertaking required
by Section 5.3(a); or
(2) The Company's receipt of invoices for specific Expenses to be
reimbursed or advanced.
Section 5.6 Indemnification of Employees and Agents. The Company may
---------------------------------------
indemnify and advance Expenses under this Article to an employee or agent of the
Company who is not a Director or Officer to the same extent and subject to the
same conditions that a Georgia corporation could, without shareholder approval
under Section 14-2-856 of the Code, indemnify and advance Expenses to a
Director, or to any lesser extent (or greater extent if permitted by law)
determined by the Board of Directors or Chief Executive Officer, in each case
consistent with public policy.
Section 5.7 Liability Insurance. The Company may purchase and maintain
-------------------
insurance on behalf of an individual who is a Director, Officer, employee or
agent of the Company or who, while a Director, Officer, employee or agent of the
Company, serves at the Company's request as a director, officer, partner,
trustee, employee or agent of another domestic or foreign corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity
against Liability asserted against or incurred by him or her in that capacity or
arising from his or her status as a Director,
14
Officer, employee, or agent, whether or not the corporation would have power to
indemnify or advance Expenses to him or her against the same Liability under
this Article or the Code.
Section 5.8 Witness Fees. Nothing in this Article shall limit the
------------
Company's power to pay or reimburse Expenses incurred by a person in connection
with his or her appearance as a witness in a Proceeding at a time when he or she
is not a Party.
Section 5.9 Report to Shareholders. To the extent and in the manner
----------------------
required by the Code from time to time, if the Company indemnifies or advances
Expenses to a Director or Officer in connection with a Proceeding by or in the
right of the Company, the Company shall report the indemnification or advance to
the Shareholders.
Section 5.10 No Duplication of Payments; Nonexclusive. The Company shall
----------------------------------------
not be liable under this Article to make any payment to a person hereunder to
the extent such person has otherwise actually received payment (under any
insurance policy, agreement or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise payable
hereunder. The rights of a Director or Officer hereunder shall be in addition
to any other rights with respect to indemnification, advancement of expenses or
otherwise that he or she may have under contract or the Code or otherwise.
Section 5.11 Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Article, the
-----------
Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights
of recovery of the indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and shall
do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the
execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring
suit to enforce such rights.
Section 5.12 Contract Rights. The right to indemnification and
---------------
advancement of Expenses conferred hereunder to Directors and Officers shall be a
contract right and shall not be affected adversely to any Director or Officer by
any amendment of these Bylaws with respect to any action or inaction occurring
prior to such amendment; provided, however, that this provision shall not confer
upon any indemnitee or potential indemnitee (in his or her capacity as such) the
right to consent or object to any subsequent amendment of these Bylaws.
Section 5.13 Amendments. It is the intent of the Company to indemnify and
----------
advance Expenses to its Directors and Officers to the full extent permitted by
the Code, as amended from time to time. To the extent that the Code is
hereafter amended to permit a Georgia business corporation to provide to its
directors or officers greater rights to indemnification or advancement of
Expenses than those specifically set forth hereinabove, this Article shall be
deemed amended to require such greater indemnification or more liberal
advancement of Expenses to the Company's Directors and Officers, in each case
consistent with the Code as so amended from time to time. No amendment,
modification or rescission of this Article, or any provision hereof, the effect
of which would diminish the rights to indemnification or advancement of Expenses
as set forth herein shall be effective as to any person with respect to any
action taken or omitted by such person prior to such amendment, modification or
rescission.
15
ARTICLE SIX
CAPITAL STOCK
Section 6.1 Direct Registration of Shares. The Company may, with the
-----------------------------
Board of Directors' approval, participate in a direct registration system
approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission and by the New York Stock
Exchange or any securities exchange on which the stock of the Company may from
time to time be traded, whereby shares of capital stock of the Company may be
registered in the holder's name in uncertificated, book-entry form on the books
of the Company.
Section 6.2 Certificates for Shares. Except for shares represented in
-----------------------
book-entry form under a direct registration system contemplated in Section 6.1,
the interest of each Shareholder in the Company shall be evidenced by a
certificate or certificates representing shares of the Company which shall be in
such form as the Board of Directors from time to time may adopt. Share
certificates shall be numbered consecutively, shall be in registered form, shall
indicate the date of issuance, the name of the Company and that it is organized
under the laws of the State of Georgia, the name of the Shareholder, and the
number and class of shares and the designation of the series, if any,
represented by the certificate. Each certificate shall be signed by the
Chairman of the Board, the President or other Chief Executive Officer or a Vice
President and also by the Secretary or may be signed with the facsimile
signatures of the Chairman of the Board, the President or other Chief Executive
Officer or a Vice President and of the Secretary, and in all cases a stock
certificate signed in facsimile must also be countersigned by the transfer agent
for the stock. The corporate seal need not be affixed.
Section 6.3 Transfer of Shares. The Board of Directors shall have
------------------
authority to appoint a transfer agent and/or a registrar for the shares of its
capital stock, and to empower them or either of them in such manner and to such
extent as it may deem best, and to remove such agent or agents from time to
time, and to appoint another agent or other agents. Transfers of shares shall
be made upon the transfer books of the Company, kept at the office of the
transfer agent designated to transfer the shares, only upon direction of the
registered owner, or by an attorney lawfully constituted in writing. With
respect to certificated shares, before a new certificate is issued, the old
certificate shall be surrendered for cancellation or, in the case of a
certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, the requirements of
Section 6.5 of these Bylaws shall have been met. Transfer of shares shall be in
accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be made from time
to time by the Board of Directors.
Section 6.4 Duty of Company to Register Transfer. Notwithstanding any of
------------------------------------
the provisions of Section 6.3 of these Bylaws, the Company is under a duty to
register the transfer of its shares only if:
(a) the certificate or transfer instruction is endorsed by the
appropriate person or persons; and
(b) reasonable assurance is given that the endorsement or affidavit is
genuine and effective; and
(c) the Company either has no duty to inquire into adverse claims or
has discharged that duty; and
16
(d) the requirements of any applicable law relating to the collection
of taxes have been met; and
(e) the transfer in fact is rightful or is to a bona fide purchaser.
Section 6.5 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. Any person claiming a
--------------------------------------
share certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed shall make an affidavit or
affirmation of the fact in the manner required by the Company and, if the
Company requires, shall give the Company a bond of indemnity in form and amount,
and with one or more sureties satisfactory to the Company, as the Company may
require, whereupon an appropriate new certificate may be issued in lieu of the
one alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 6.6 Authorization to Issue Shares and Regulations Regarding
-------------------------------------------------------
Transfer and Registration. The Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and
- -------------------------
any other committee of the Board of Directors so authorized by it shall have
power and authority to issue shares of capital stock of the Company and to make
all such rules and regulations as, respectively, they may deem expedient
concerning the transfer and registration of shares of the capital stock of the
Company.
ARTICLE SEVEN
DISTRIBUTIONS AND DIVIDENDS
Section 7.1 Authorization or Declaration. Unless the Articles of
----------------------------
Incorporation provide otherwise, the Board of Directors from time to time in its
discretion may authorize or declare distributions or share dividends in
accordance with the Code.
Section 7.2 Record Date with Regard to Distributions and Share Dividends.
------------------------------------------------------------
For the purpose of determining Shareholders entitled to a distribution (other
than one involving a purchase, redemption, or other reacquisition of the
Company's shares) or a share dividend, the Board of Directors may fix a date as
the record date. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the
record date shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Code.
ARTICLE EIGHT
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.1 Corporate Seal. The corporate seal of the Company shall be in
--------------
such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. If at any
time it is inconvenient to use the corporate seal of the Company, the signature
or name of the Company followed by or used in conjunction with the words
"Corporate Seal" or "Seal" or words of similar import shall be deemed the seal
of the Company.
Section 8.2 Inspection of Books and Records. The Board of Directors shall
-------------------------------
have power to determine which accounts, books and records of the Company shall
be opened to the inspection of Shareholders, except those as may by law
specifically be made open to inspection, and shall have power to fix reasonable
rules and regulations not in conflict with the applicable law for the inspection
of accounts, books and records which by law or by determination of the Board of
Directors shall be open to inspection. Without the prior approval of the Board
of
17
Directors in its discretion, the right of inspection set forth in
Section 14-2-1602(c) of the Code shall not be available to any Shareholder
owning two percent or less of the shares outstanding.
Section 8.3 Conflict with Articles of Incorporation or Code. To the
-----------------------------------------------
extent that any provision of these Bylaws conflicts with any provision of the
Articles of Incorporation, such provision of the Articles of Incorporation shall
govern. To the extent that any provision of these Bylaws conflicts with any
non-discretionary provision of the Code, such provision of the Code shall
govern.
Section 8.4 Severability. In the event that any of the provisions of
------------
these Bylaws (including any provision within a single section, subsection,
division or sentence) is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, the remaining provisions of these
Bylaws shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
ARTICLE NINE
AMENDMENTS
Section 9.1 Amendments. Subject, in each case, to the Articles of
----------
Incorporation:
(a) the Board of Directors shall have power to alter, amend or repeal
these Bylaws or adopt new Bylaws; and
(b) any Bylaws adopted by the Board of Directors may be altered,
amended or repealed, and new Bylaws may be adopted, by the
Shareholders, as provided by the Code; and
(c) Articles Ten and Eleven of these Bylaws shall be amended only in
the manner provided by relevant provisions of the Code.
ARTICLE TEN
FAIR PRICE REQUIREMENTS
Section 10.1 Fair Price Requirements. All of the requirements of Article
-----------------------
11, Part 2, of the Code, included in Sections 14-2-1110 through 1113 (and any
successor provisions thereto), shall be applicable to the Company in connection
with any business combination, as defined therein, with any interested
shareholder, as defined therein.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
Section 11.1 Business Combinations. All of the requirements of Article
---------------------
11, Part 3, of the Code, included in Sections 14-2-1131 through 1133 (and any
successor provisions thereto), shall be applicable to the Company in connection
with any business combination, as defined therein, with any interested
shareholder, as defined therein.
18