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EXHIBIT 3.1
BYLAWS OF
APACHE CORPORATION
(AS AMENDED MAY 3, 2001)
ARTICLE I.
NAME OF CORPORATION
The name of the corporation is Apache Corporation.
ARTICLE II.
OFFICES
SECTION 1. The principal office of the corporation shall be in the City
of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware, and the name of its
resident agent in charge thereof is The Corporation Trust Company.
SECTION 2. The corporation may have such other offices either within or
without the State of Delaware as the board of directors may designate or as the
business of the corporation may from time to time require.
ARTICLE III.
SEAL
The corporate seal shall have inscribed upon it the name of the
corporation and other designations as the board of directors from time to time
determine. There may be alternate seals of the corporation.
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ARTICLE IV.
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
SECTION 1. PLACE OF MEETINGS. All meetings of the stockholders of the
corporation shall be held at the office of the corporation in the City of
Houston, Texas, or at any other place within or without the State of Delaware
that shall be stated in the notice of the meeting.
SECTION 2. ANNUAL MEETINGS. The annual meeting of stockholders of the
corporation shall be held at the place and time within or without the State of
Delaware that may be designated by the board of directors, on the last Thursday
in April in each year or on such other date as may be designated by the board of
directors, if not a legal holiday, and if a legal holiday, then at the same time
on the next succeeding business day for the purpose of electing directors and
for the transaction of any other business that may properly come before the
meeting.
SECTION 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE STOCKHOLDERS. Special meetings of the
stockholders of the corporation, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise
prescribed by statute, may be called by the chairman of the board and shall be
called by the chairman of the board or secretary at the request in writing of a
majority of the board of directors. The request shall state the purpose or
purposes of the proposed meeting.
SECTION 4. NOTICE OF MEETING. Written or printed notice stating the
place, day and hour of the meeting and in the case of special meeting, the
purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less
than ten nor more than 50 days before the date of the meeting either personally,
by mail or other lawful means by or at the direction of the chairman of the
board or the secretary to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the
meetings. If mailed, the notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited
in the United States Postal Service, addressed to the stockholder at his address
as it appears on the stock transfer books of the corporation with postage
thereon prepaid.
SECTION 5. CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS FOR FIXING OF RECORD DATE. For the
purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any
meeting of stockholders or adjournment thereof, the board of directors may close
the stock transfer books of the corporation for a period not exceeding 50 days
preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders. In lieu of closing the stock
transfer books, the board of directors may fix in advance a date, not exceeding
50 days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders, as a record date for
the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the
meeting and any adjournment thereof, and only the stockholders as shall be
stockholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to the notice of
and to vote at the meeting and any adjournment thereof.
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SECTION 6. VOTING LISTS. The officer or agent having charge of the stock
transfer books for shares of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least
ten days before every meeting of the stockholders, a complete list of the
stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order,
and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered
in the name of each stockholder. The list shall be open to the examination of
any stockholder during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten
days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the election
is to be held and which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting,
or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held, and the
list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the
whole time thereof, and subject to the inspection of any stockholder who may be
present. Upon the willful neglect or refusal of the board of directors of the
corporation to produce a list at any meeting of the stockholders at which an
election is to be held in accordance with this Section 6, they shall be
ineligible to hold any office at such election.
SECTION 7. VOTING RIGHTS. At each meeting of the stockholders of the
corporation, every stockholder having the right to vote thereat shall be
entitled to vote in person or by proxy, but no proxy shall be voted after three
years from its date unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Except as
otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder
shall have one vote for each share of stock having voting power registered in
his name. The vote at an election for directors, and upon the demand of any
stockholder, the vote upon any question before a meeting of the stockholders,
shall be by written ballot. All elections shall be had and all questions decided
by a plurality vote except where by statute, by provision in the Certificate of
Incorporation or these bylaws it is otherwise provided.
Prior to any meeting, but subsequent to the date fixed by the board of
directors pursuant to Section 5 of Article IV of these bylaws, any proxy may
submit his proxy to the secretary for examination. The certificate of the
secretary as to the regularity of the proxy and as to the number of shares held
by the persons who severally and respectively executed such proxies shall be
received as prima facie evidence of the number of shares represented by the
holder of the proxy for the purpose of establishing the presence of a quorum at
the meeting and of organizing the same.
SECTION 8. QUORUM. The holders of a majority of the stock issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, initially present in person or
represented by proxy, shall be requisite, and shall constitute a quorum of all
meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise
provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by these bylaws. If,
however, a majority shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the
stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, 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 the requisite amount of
voting stock shall be present. At the adjourned meeting at which the requisite
amount of
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voting stock shall be represented, any business may be transacted which might
have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.
SECTION 9. INSPECTORS. At each meeting of the stockholders, the polls
shall be opened and closed. The proxies and the ballots shall be received and
taken in charge and all questions touching the qualifications of voters and the
validity of proxies and the acceptance or rejection of votes shall be decided by
three inspectors. The inspectors shall be appointed by the board of directors
before or at the meeting, or if no appointment shall have been made, then by the
presiding officer at the meeting. If, for any reason any of the inspectors
previously appointed shall fail to attend or refuse or be unable to serve,
inspectors in place of any so failing to attend or refusing or unable to serve
shall be appointed in like manner.
SECTION 10. WAIVER OF NOTICE. Whenever any notice whatever is required
to be given pursuant to the provisions of a statute, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these bylaws of the corporation, a waiver thereof in writing
signed by the person or persons entitled to the notice, whether before or after
the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.
SECTION 11. STOCKHOLDER ACTION. Any action required or permitted to be
taken by the stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special
meeting of stockholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by
stockholders.
SECTION 12. NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER BUSINESS. At an annual meeting of the
stockholders, only business shall be conducted that has been properly brought
before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business
must be (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given
by or at the direction of the board of directors, (b) otherwise properly brought
before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors, or (c)
otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder, which
stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of
the corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be delivered to or
mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation not
less than 120 days prior to the meeting. A stockholders' notice to the secretary
shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the
annual meeting (w) a brief description of the business desired to be brought
before the annual meeting, (x) the name and address, as they appear on the
corporation's books, of the stockholder proposing the business, (y) the class
and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by the
stockholder, and (z) any material interest of the stockholder in the business.
Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be
conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set
forth in this Section 12. The chairman of an annual meeting shall, if the facts
warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly
brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 12,
and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and any
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business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted. This
section sets forth only the procedure by which business may be properly brought
before an annual meeting of stockholders and does not in any way grant
additional rights to stockholders beyond those currently afforded them by law.
SECTION 13. NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES. Only persons who are
nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 13 shall
be eligible for election as directors. Nominations of persons for election to
the board of directors of the corporation may be made at a meeting of
stockholders, by or at the direction of the board of directors or by any
stockholder of the corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at
the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section
13. Any nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of the board
of directors, shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the
secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's notice shall be
delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the
corporation not less than 120 days prior to the meeting. The stockholder's
notice shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to
nominate for election or reelection as a director (i) the name, age, business
address and residence address of the person, (ii) the principal occupation or
employment of the person, (iii) the class and number of shares of the
corporation which are beneficially owned by the person, and (iv) any other
information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in
solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in
each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (including without limitation the person's written consent to being
named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if
elected); and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice (i) the name and
address, as they appear on the corporation's books, of the stockholder and (ii)
the class and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned
by the stockholder. At the request of the board of directors, any person
nominated by the board of directors for election as a director shall furnish to
the secretary of the corporation that information required to be set forth in a
stockholder's notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. 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 13. The chairman of
the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting
that a nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by
these bylaws, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting
and the defective nomination shall be disregarded. This section sets forth only
the procedure by which nominations for directors may be made and does not in any
way grant additional rights to stockholders beyond those currently afforded them
by law.
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ARTICLE V.
DIRECTORS
SECTION 1. GENERAL POWERS. The property, business and affairs of the
corporation shall be managed by its board of directors which may exercise all
powers of the corporation and do all lawful acts and things as are not by
statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws directed or
required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
SECTION 2. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. The directors shall be
elected in the manner set forth in Article Ninth of the Certification of
Incorporation of the corporation; however, if the corporation has outstanding
any shares of one or more series of stock with conditional rights to elect a set
number of directors, and if the conditions precedent to the exercise of any such
rights arise, the number of directors of the corporation shall be automatically
increased to permit the exercise of the voting rights of each such series of
stock. The term of office of directors shall be three years except as provided
in Article Ninth of the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation.
Directors need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware.
SECTION 3. VACANCIES AND NEWLY CREATED DIRECTORSHIPS. Any vacancies on
the board of directors or any newly created directorships shall be filled by the
board of directors in the manner set forth in Article Ninth of the Certificate
of Incorporation of the corporation. If the directors then in office shall
constitute less than a majority of the whole board (as constituted immediately
prior to any increase therein), then upon application, any stockholder or
stockholders holding at least ten percent of the total number of shares of the
capital stock of the corporation at the time outstanding having the right to
vote for directors may require the board of directors to call a special meeting
of the stockholders for the purpose of electing directors to fill the vacancy or
vacancies or newly created directorships or to replace the director or directors
chosen by the directors then in office as aforesaid. The person or persons
elected at a special meeting of the stockholders shall serve as director or as
directors until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their
successors are duly elected and qualified and shall displace any person or
persons who may theretofore have been appointed by the directors then in office
as aforesaid.
SECTION 4. CATASTROPHE. During any emergency period following a national
catastrophe due to enemy attack, or act of God, a majority of the surviving
members of the board who have not been rendered incapable of acting due to
physical or mental incapacity or due to the difficulty of transportation to the
place of the meeting shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of filling
vacancies on the board of directors and among the elected and appointed officers
of the corporation.
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SECTION 5. PLACE OF MEETINGS. The directors of the corporation may hold
their meetings, both regular and special, at a place or places within or without
the State of Delaware that the board of directors may from time to time
determine.
SECTION 6. FIRST MEETING. The first meeting of the board of directors
following the annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at the time and place
that shall be fixed by the chairman of the board and shall be called in the same
manner as a special meeting.
SECTION 7. REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the board of directors
may be held without notice at the time and place that shall from time to time be
determined by the board of directors.
SECTION 8. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the board of directors
may be called by the chairman of the board on three days notice to each
director, either personally or by mail, by telegram, or by facsimile or other
lawful means; special meetings of the board of directors shall be called by the
chairman of the board or secretary in like manner and upon like notice upon the
written request of two directors.
SECTION 9. QUORUM. 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, and the act of a majority of the directors present
at any meeting, at which there is a quorum present, shall be the act of the
board of directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute,
the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws. If at any meeting of the
board of directors there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of
those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without notice, other
than by announcement at the meeting, until a sufficient number of directors to
constitute a quorum shall attend. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum
shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been
transacted at the original meeting as originally notified.
SECTION 10. BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED. Unless otherwise indicated in the
notice, any and all business may be transacted at a regular or special meeting
of the board of directors. In the event a special meeting of the board of
directors is held without notice, any and all business may be transacted at the
meeting provided all directors are present.
SECTION 11. ORDER OF BUSINESS. At all meetings of the board of
directors, business shall be transacted in the order that from time to time the
board may determine by resolution. At all meetings of the board of directors the
chairman of the board or in his absence the vice chairman shall preside. In the
absence of the chairman and vice chairman of the board, the directors present
shall elect any director as chairman of the meeting.
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SECTION 12. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS. Directors of the corporation
shall receive the compensation for their services that the board of directors
may from time to time determine and all directors shall be reimbursed for their
expenses of attendance at each regular or special meeting of the board or any
committee thereof.
SECTION 13. COMMITTEES. The board of directors may by resolution passed
by a majority of the board, in addition to the executive committee, designate
one or more committees. Each such committee shall consist of one or more of the
directors of the corporation, such number to be set by resolution of the board
of directors, or as otherwise provided in Section 14 below. Any committee, to
the extent provided in the resolution, shall have and may exercise the powers of
the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the
corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all
papers which may require it. Any committee or committees shall have the name or
names that may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the
board of directors. Other than for a committee of one director, the chairman of
the board shall be an ex officio member of any board committee except the audit
committee, the management development and compensation committee, and the stock
option plan committee.
SECTION 14. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
A. MEMBERS. The executive committee shall consist of such number of
directors as set by resolution of the board of directors, with a minimum of four
members, and shall include the chairman and vice chairman of the board as ex
officio members, together with the other members of the board of directors, as
may be the case, designated by the board of directors.
B. TERM OF OFFICE. Each of the elected members of the executive
committee shall be elected for a one year term and shall serve until his
successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
C. ELECTION. The election of members of the executive committee shall be
held each year at the first meeting of the board of directors following the
annual meeting of stockholders. Should a member of the executive committee for
any reason be unable to serve for the term to which he was elected, the vacancy
shall be filled by the board of directors at its next meeting following the
occurrence of such vacancy.
D. COMPENSATION. Each member of the executive committee shall receive
the compensation that the board of directors shall from time to time determine
and shall be reimbursed for their expenses of attendance at regular or special
meetings.
E. CHAIRMAN AND SECRETARY OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The chairman and
secretary of the executive committee shall be elected by members of the
executive committee.
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F. MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the executive committee may be held
without call or notice of the time and place that the executive committee
determines. Special meetings of the executive committee may be called by any
member, either personally or by mail, by telegram, by facsimile or other lawful
means forwarded not later than 48 hours prior to the date and time set forth for
the meeting. Upon request of any member, the secretary of the corporation shall
give the required notice calling the meeting.
G. QUORUM. At any meeting of the executive committee, a majority of the
committee members shall constitute a quorum. Any action of the executive
committee to be effective must be authorized by the affirmative votes of a
majority of committee members.
H. RULES. The executive committee shall fix its own rules of procedure,
provided the same do not contravene the provisions of the law, the Certificate
of Incorporation or these bylaws.
I. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY.
(a) The executive committee is vested with the authority to exercise the
full power of the board of directors, within the policies established by
the board of directors to govern the conduct of the business of the
corporation, in the intervals between meetings of the board of
directors.
(b) The executive committee, in addition to the general authority vested
in it, may be vested with other specific powers and authority by
resolution of the board of directors.
J. REPORTS. All action by the executive committee shall be reported to
the board of directors at its meeting next succeeding the action, and shall be
subject to revision or alteration by the board of directors; provided, however,
that no rights or acts of third parties shall be affected by any such revision
or alteration.
SECTION 15. AUDIT COMMITTEE.
A. MEMBERS. The audit committee shall be composed of at least three (3)
directors who shall satisfy the following criteria:
(a) Each member shall be "independent," meaning a director who does not
have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of
independent judgment. A director shall not be deemed to be independent
if such director:
(1) is currently or has been employed by the corporation or any
of its affiliates in any of the past three years;
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(2) has a direct business relationship with the corporation or
is a partner, controlling shareholder or an executive officer of
an organization that has a business relationship with the
corporation (unless the board of directors determines in its
business judgment that the relationship does not interfere with
the director's ability to exercise independent judgment);
(3) is an executive with another entity where any of the
corporation's executives serve on that entity's compensation
committee; or
(4) has an immediate family member who is currently or has been
an executive officer of the corporation or any of its affiliates
during any of the last three years.
The board of directors shall specifically make a finding of independence
when appointing each member of the audit committee.
(b) Each audit committee member shall be "financially literate," meaning
that each member shall be able to read and understand financial
statements or be able to do so within a reasonable period of time after
appointment to the committee.
(c) At least one member of the committee shall have accounting or
related financial management expertise, with the board of directors, in
its business judgment, determining what the necessary expertise shall be
and whether a member of the committee has such expertise.
B. TERM OF OFFICE. Each of the elected members of the audit committee
shall be elected for a one year term and shall serve until a successor has been
duly elected and qualified.
C. ELECTION. The election of members of the audit committee shall be
held each year at the first meeting of the board of directors following the
annual meeting of stockholders. Should a member of the audit committee for any
reason be unable to serve for the term to which he was elected, the vacancy
shall be filled by the board of directors at its next meeting.
D. COMPENSATION. Each member of the audit committee shall receive the
compensation the board of directors determines and shall be reimbursed for their
expenses for attendance at regular or special meetings.
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E. CHAIRMAN AND SECRETARY OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. The chairman and
secretary of the audit committee shall be elected by the members of the audit
committee.
F. MEETINGS. The audit committee shall hold regular meetings as provided
for in the Audit Committee Charter set forth in Annex A to these bylaws and may
also hold special meetings. Regular meetings of the audit committee may be held
without call or notice of the time and place that the audit committee
determines. Special meetings of the audit committee may be called by any member,
either personally or by mail, by telegram, by facsimile or other lawful means
forwarded not later than 48 hours prior to the date and time set forth for the
meeting. Upon request of any member, the secretary of the corporation shall give
the required notice calling the meeting.
G. QUORUM. At any meeting of the audit committee, a majority of
committee members shall constitute a quorum. Any action of the audit committee
to be effective must be authorized by the affirmative votes of a majority of
committee members.
H. RULES. The audit committee shall determine its own rules of
procedure, provided the rules do not contravene the provisions of the law, the
Certificate of Incorporation, these bylaws or the Audit Committee Charter set
forth in Annex A to these bylaws.
I. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY. The audit committee shall have the
powers and responsibilities set forth in the Audit Committee Charter set forth
in Annex A to these bylaws. In addition, the audit committee may be vested with
other specific powers and authorities by resolution of the board of directors.
J. REPORTS. All action by the audit committee shall be reported to the
board of directors at its next meeting, and shall be subject to revision or
alteration by the board of directors.
SECTION 16. MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
A. MEMBERS. The management development and compensation committee
shall include only outside directors of the corporation.
B. TERM OF OFFICE. Each of the elected members of the management
development and compensation committee shall be elected for a one year term and
shall serve until a successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
C. ELECTION. The election of members of the management development
and compensation committee shall be held each year at the first meeting of the
board of directors following the annual meeting of stockholders. Should a member
of the
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management development and compensation committee for any reason be unable to
serve for the term to which he was elected, the vacancy shall be filled by the
board of directors at its next meeting.
D. COMPENSATION. Each member of the management development and
compensation committee shall receive the compensation the board of directors
determines and shall be reimbursed for their expenses for attendance at regular
or special meetings.
E. CHAIRMAN AND SECRETARY OF THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. The chairman and secretary of the management development
and compensation committee shall be elected by the members of the management
development and compensation committee.
F. MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the management development and
compensation committee may be held without call or notice of the time and place
that the management development and compensation committee determines. Special
meetings of the management development and compensation committee may be called
by any member, either personally or by mail, by telegram, by facsimile or other
lawful means forwarded not later than 48 hours prior to the date and time set
forth for the meeting. Upon request of any member, the secretary of the
corporation shall give the required notice calling the meeting.
G. QUORUM. At any meeting of the management development and
compensation committee, a majority of committee members shall constitute a
quorum. Any action of the management development and compensation committee to
be effective must be authorized by the affirmative votes of a majority of
committee members.
H. RULES. The management development and compensation committee
shall determine its own rules of procedure, provided the rules do not contravene
the provisions of the law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws.
I. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY. The management development and
compensation committee has three principal responsibilities:
(a) to monitor the corporation's management resources, structure,
succession planning, development, and selection process, and the
performance of key executives;
(b) to review and approve executive compensation and changes; and
(c) to make such reports on executive compensation as appropriate or
required.
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The management development and compensation committee also serves as the
committee administering all incentive compensation plans other than the
corporation's stock option plans.
J. REPORTS. All action by the management development and
compensation committee shall be reported to the board of directors at its next
meeting, and shall be subject to revision or alteration by the board of
directors.
SECTION 17. STOCK OPTION PLAN COMMITTEE
A. MEMBERS. The stock option plan committee shall include only
directors of the corporation who qualify as "outside directors" pursuant to
Section 162(m) or any successor section(s) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
B. TERM OF OFFICE. Each of the elected members of the stock
option plan committee shall be elected for a one year term and shall serve until
a successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
C. ELECTION. The election of members of the stock option plan
committee shall be held each year at the first meeting of the board of directors
following the annual meeting of stockholders. Should a member of the stock
option plan committee for any reason be unable to serve for the term to which he
was elected, the vacancy shall be filled by the board of directors at its next
meeting.
D. COMPENSATION. Each member of the stock option plan committee
shall receive the compensation the board of directors determines and shall be
reimbursed for their expenses for attendance at regular or special meetings.
E. CHAIRMAN AND SECRETARY OF THE STOCK OPTION PLAN COMMITTEE. The
chairman and secretary of the stock option plan committee shall be elected by
the members of the stock option plan committee.
F. MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the stock option plan committee
may be held without call or notice of the time and place that the stock option
plan committee determines. Special meetings of the stock option plan committee
may be called by any member, either personally or by mail, by telegram, by
facsimile or other lawful means forwarded not later than 48 hours prior to the
date and time set forth for the meeting. Upon request of any member, the
secretary of the corporation shall give the required notice calling the meeting.
G. QUORUM. At any meeting of the stock option plan committee, a
majority of committee members shall constitute a quorum, provided that such
quorum shall not be
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less than two members. Any action of the stock option plan committee to be
effective must be authorized by the affirmative votes of a majority of committee
members.
H. RULES. The stock option plan committee shall determine its own
rules of procedure, provided the rules do not contravene the provisions of the
law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws.
I. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY. The stock option plan committee
has two principal responsibilities:
(a) to monitor and report on the corporation's stock option plans; and
(b) to establish any performance goals under which compensation in the
form of stock option grants is paid to employees of the corporation, and
to make such grants of stock options, in the discretion of the stock
option plan committee, on the terms and conditions set forth in the
option plans or otherwise established by the stock option plan
committee.
J. REPORTS. All action by the stock option plan committee shall
be reported to the board of directors at its next meeting, and is subject to
ratification by the board of directors.
SECTION 18. NOMINATING COMMITTEE.
A. MEMBERS. The nominating committee may consist of any of the members
of the board of directors.
B. TERM OF OFFICE. Each of the elected members of the nominating
committee shall be elected for a one year term and shall serve until a successor
shall have been duly elected and qualified.
C. ELECTION. The election of members of the nominating committee shall
be held each year at the first meeting of the board of directors following the
annual meeting of stockholders. Should a member of the nominating committee for
any reason be unable to serve for the term to which he was elected, the vacancy
shall be filled by the board of directors at its next meeting.
D. COMPENSATION. Each member of the nominating committee shall receive
the compensation the board of directors determines and shall be reimbursed for
their expenses for attendance at regular or special meetings.
E. CHAIRMAN AND SECRETARY OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE. The chairman and
secretary of the nominating committee shall be elected by the members of the
nominating committee.
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F. MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the nominating committee may be held
without call or notice of the time and place that the nominating committee
determines. Special meetings of the nominating committee may be called by any
member, either personally or by mail, by telegram, by facsimile or other lawful
means forwarded not later than 48 hours prior to the date and time set forth for
the meeting. Upon request of any member, the secretary of the corporation shall
give the required notice calling the meeting.
G. QUORUM. At any meeting of the nominating committee, a majority of
committee members shall constitute a quorum. Any action of the nominating
committee to be effective must be authorized by the affirmative votes of a
majority of committee members.
H. RULES. The nominating committee shall determine its own rules of
procedure, provided the rules do not contravene the provisions of the law, the
Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws.
I. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY.
(a) The nominating committee is vested with the authority and
responsibility to (i) recommend to the board of directors criteria for
selection of candidates to serve on the board of directors; (ii)
recommend to the board of directors qualified candidates to fill any
newly created directorships or vacancies on the board of directors which
occur between annual meetings of stockholders without regard to race,
sex, age, religion or physical disability; (iii) recommend candidates
for election to the committees of the board of directors; (iv)
periodically review, assess, and make recommendations to the board of
directors with regard to the size and composition of the board of
directors, and its evaluation of incumbent directors; (v) cause the
names of all director candidates that are approved by the board of
directors to be listed in the corporation's proxy materials and support
the election of all candidates so nominated by the board of directors to
the extent permitted by law; (vi) evaluate and recommend to the board of
directors potential candidates to serve in the future on the board of
directors to assure the continuity and succession of the board of
directors; and (vii) otherwise aid in attracting qualified candidates to
the board of directors.
(b) Only candidates recommended by the nominating committee shall be
eligible for nomination by the board of directors for election, or to
fill a vacancy or any newly created directorship, but if the board does
not approve one or more of the candidates recommended by the nominating
committee, the nominating committee shall submit a recommendation of
other candidates. If for any reason the nominating committee shall fail
to act or determines not to make a
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recommendation, the board of directors shall fill any vacancy or newly
created directorship in the manner that it deems appropriate.
(c) The nominating committee, in addition to the authority vested in it
under subsections (a) and (b) above, shall have all additional powers
necessary to carry out its responsibilities, and may be vested with
other specific powers and authority by resolution of the board of
directors.
J. REPORTS. All action by the nominating committee shall be reported to
the board of directors at its next meeting, and shall be subject to revision or
alteration by the board of directors.
K. RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS. Nothing in this Section 18 shall affect or
restrict the right of any stockholder to nominate any person for election as a
director where such nomination is otherwise authorized by law and made in
accordance with Section 13 of Article IV of these bylaws.
SECTION 19. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. At the first meeting of the board of
directors in each year, at which a quorum shall be present, following the annual
meeting of the stockholders of the corporation, the board of directors shall
proceed to the election of the officers of the corporation, except regional or
staff officers who are subject to appointment in accordance with Section 19 of
Article VI of these bylaws.
SECTION 20. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING. Any action required or permitted to
be taken at any meeting of the board of directors or of any committee thereof
may be taken without a meeting, if prior to the action a written consent thereto
is signed by all members of the board of directors or of the committee, as the
case may be, and such written consent is filed with the minutes of the
proceedings of the board of directors or committee.
SECTION 21. WAIVER OF NOTICE. Whenever any notice whatever is required
to be given pursuant to the provisions of a statute, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these bylaws of the corporation, a waiver thereof in writing
signed by the person or persons entitled to the notice, whether before or after
the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.
ARTICLE VI.
OFFICERS
SECTION 1. OFFICERS. The officers of the corporation shall be a chairman
of the board, vice chairman of the board, president, one or more executive vice
presidents, one or more senior vice presidents, one or more vice presidents,
secretary, treasurer,
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controller and such assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant
treasurers and assistant controllers as the board of directors may provide for
and elect. The chairman of the board and the vice chairman of the board shall be
members of the board of directors. Any two or more offices may be held by the
same person. The board of directors may appoint such other officers as they
shall deem necessary, who shall have the authority and shall perform the duties
that from time to time may be prescribed by the board of directors. In its
discretion, the board of directors by a vote of a majority thereof may leave
unfilled for any period that it may fix by resolution any office except those of
president, treasurer and secretary.
SECTION 2. ELECTION. The board of directors at their first meeting after
each annual meeting of the stockholders or at any regular or special meeting
shall elect, as may be required, a chairman of the board, vice chairman of the
board, president, and one or more executive vice presidents, senior vice
presidents, vice presidents, a secretary, treasurer, controller, and assistant
vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers, and assistant
controllers.
SECTION 3. TENURE. The officers of the corporation elected by the board
of directors shall hold office for one year and until their successors are
chosen and qualify in their stead. 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 board of directors.
SECTION 4. SALARIES. The salaries of the officers of the corporation
shall be recommended by the management development and compensation committee
and approved by the board of directors.
SECTION 5. VACANCIES. If the office of any officer of the corporation
becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, disqualification or otherwise,
the directors by a majority vote, may choose his successor or successors.
SECTION 6. RESIGNATION. Any officer may resign his office at any time,
such resignation to be made in writing and take effect at the time of receipt by
the corporation, unless some time be fixed in the resignation and then from that
time. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be required to make it
effective.
SECTION 7. DELEGATION OF DUTIES. Duties of officers may be delegated in
case of the absence of any officer of the corporation or for any reason that the
board of directors may deem sufficient. The board of directors may delegate the
powers or duties of the officer to any other officer or to any director, except
as otherwise provided by statute, for the time being, provided a majority of the
entire board of directors concurs therein.
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SECTION 8. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The chairman of the board shall be the
chief executive officer and shall have, subject to the direction of the board of
directors, general control and management of the corporation's business and
affairs and shall see that all the policies and resolutions of the board of
directors are carried into effect, subject, however, to the right of the board
of directors to delegate any specific powers, except such as may be by statute
exclusively conferred on the president, to any other officer or officers of the
corporation. He shall preside at all meetings of stockholders and the board of
directors at which he may be present.
SECTION 9. VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The vice chairman shall preside
at all meetings of the board of directors and stockholders from which the
chairman of the board may be absent, and shall perform such other duties that
shall be specifically assigned to him from time to time by the board of
directors or the chairman of the board.
SECTION 10. PRESIDENT. The president shall be the chief operating
officer and shall perform those duties that shall be specifically assigned to
him from time to time by the board of directors. In the absence of the chief
executive officer or in the event of his death, inability or refusal to act, the
president shall perform the duties of the chief executive officer, and when so
acting shall have the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the
chief executive officer.
SECTION 11. EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTS, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTS, AND VICE
PRESIDENTS. In the absence of the president or in the event of his death,
inability or refusal to act, the senior executive vice president present shall
perform the duties of the president, and when so acting, shall have all the
powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president. In the
absence of the president and all executive or senior vice presidents, or in the
event of their deaths, inability or refusal to act, a vice president designated
by the board of directors, or in case the board of directors has failed to act,
designated by the chief executive officer, shall perform the duties of the
president and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all
the restrictions upon the president. The executive vice presidents, the senior
vice presidents, and all other vice presidents shall perform those duties
consistent with these bylaws and that may be specifically designated by the
president or by the board of directors.
SECTION 12. ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENTS. The assistant vice presidents
shall perform those duties, not inconsistent with these bylaws, the Certificate
of Incorporation or statute, that may be specifically designated by the board of
directors or the president. In the absence of the executive vice presidents,
senior vice presidents, or vice presidents, an assistant vice president (or in
the event there be more than one assistant vice president, the assistant vice
presidents in the order designated at the time of their election, or in the
absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform
the duties of the executive vice presidents, senior vice presidents or vice
presidents, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to
all
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restrictions upon the executive vice presidents, the senior vice presidents,
and vice presidents.
SECTION 13. SECRETARY. The secretary shall attend and keep all the
minutes of all meetings of the board of directors and all meetings of the
stockholders and, when requested by the board of directors, of any committees of
the board of directors. He shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all
meetings of the stockholders and board of directors and when so ordered by the
board of directors, shall affix the seal of the corporation thereto; he shall
have charge of all of those books and records that the board of directors may
direct, all of which shall, at all reasonable times, be open to the examination
of any director at the office of the corporation during business hours; he
shall, in general, perform all of the duties incident to the office of secretary
subject to the control of the board of directors or of the president, under
whose supervision he shall be, and shall do and perform any other duties that
may from time to time be assigned to him by the board of directors.
SECTION 14. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES. In the absence of the secretary or in
the event of his death, inability or refusal to act, the assistant secretary (or
in the event there be more than one assistant secretary, the assistant
secretaries in the order designated at the time of their election, or in the
absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform
the duties of the secretary, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and
be subject to all the restrictions upon the secretary and shall perform any
other duties that may from time to time be assigned to him by the board of
directors, the president or the secretary.
SECTION 15. TREASURER. The treasurer shall have custody of and be
responsible for all funds and securities of the corporation, receive and give
receipts for money due and payable to the corporation from any source
whatsoever, and deposit all such moneys in the name of the corporation in those
banks or depositories that shall be selected and designated by the board of
directors and shall in general perform all of the duties incident to the office
of treasurer and any other duties that may be assigned to him by the president
or by the board of directors. If required by the board of directors, the
treasurer shall give bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in the sum
and with the surety or sureties as the board of directors shall determine.
SECTION 16. ASSISTANT TREASURERS. In the absence of the treasurer or in
the event of his death, inability or refusal to act, the assistant treasurer (or
in the event there be more than one assistant treasurer, the assistant
treasurers in the order designated at the time of their election, or in the
absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform
the duties of the treasurer and when so acting shall have all the powers and be
subject to all the restrictions upon the treasurer, and shall perform any other
duties that from time to time may be assigned to him by the president, treasurer
or the board of directors. The assistant treasurers shall, if required by the
board
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of directors, give bonds for the faithful discharge of their duties in the sums
and with the surety or sureties that the board of directors shall determine.
SECTION 17. CONTROLLER. The controller shall maintain adequate records
of all assets, liabilities and transactions of the corporation; see that
adequate audits thereof are currently and regularly made; and, in conjunction
with other officers and department heads, initiate and enforce measures and
procedures whereby the business of the corporation shall be conducted with the
maximum safety, efficiency and economy. Except as otherwise determined by the
board of directors, or lacking a determination by the board of directors, then
by the president, his duties and powers shall extend to all subsidiary
corporations and, so far as may be practicable, to all affiliate corporations.
He shall have any other powers and perform other duties that may be assigned to
him by the president or by the board of directors. If required by the board of
directors, the controller shall give bond for the faithful discharge of his
duties in the sum and with the surety or sureties as the board of directors
shall determine.
SECTION 18. ASSISTANT CONTROLLERS. In the absence of the controller or
in the event of his death, inability or refusal to act, the assistant controller
(or in the event there be more than one assistant controller, the assistant
controllers, in the order designated at the time of their election, or in the
absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform
the duties of the controller and when so acting shall have all the powers and be
subject to all the restrictions upon the controller, and shall perform any other
duties that from time to time may be assigned to him by the president,
controller or the board of directors. The assistant controllers shall, if
required by the board of directors, give bonds for the faithful discharge of
their duties in the sums and with the surety or sureties that the board of
directors shall determine.
SECTION 19. REGIONAL OR STAFF VICE PRESIDENTS.
A. ELECTION. One or more regional or staff vice presidents may be
appointed by the chairman of the board, or the authority for such appointments
may be delegated by the chairman of the board to the president of the
corporation.
B. TENURE. The regional or staff vice presidents appointed by the
chairman of the board or the president of the corporation shall hold office for
one year and until their successors are chosen and qualify in their stead. Any
regional or staff vice president so appointed may be removed at any time by the
chairman of the board or the president of the corporation.
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C. DUTIES.The regional or staff vice presidents shall do and
perform those duties that shall from time to time be specifically designated or
assigned by the chairman of the board or the president of the corporation;
however, the regional or staff vice presidents shall not perform "policy-making
functions" as defined pursuant to Section 16 or any successor section(s) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall be deemed not to be
subject to such Section 16 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
ARTICLE VII.
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS,
EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS
SECTION 1. The board of directors shall cause the corporation to
indemnify any person (and that person's heirs and personal representatives) who
was or is a party or is threatened or expected to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action
by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at
the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, partner or
agent of another corporation, partnership (including a partnership in which the
corporation is a partner), joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against
expenses (including, but not limited to, attorneys' fees, expert fees, bonds,
prospective or retroactive insurance premiums or costs, litigation, appeal and
court costs and out-of-pocket expenses of such person during any investigation
hearing, arbitration, trial, or appeal of any such action, suit or proceeding,
including any interest payable thereon), judgments, damages, arbitration awards,
fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with such action, suit, arbitration or proceeding, including any
interest payable thereon, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any
action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a
plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a
presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
SECTION 2. The board of directors shall indemnify any person (and that
person's heirs and personal representatives) who was or is a party or is
threatened or expected to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a
judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the
request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, partner or agent of
another corporation,
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partnership (including a partnership in which the corporation is a partner),
joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including, but not
limited to, attorneys' fees, expert fees, bonds, prospective or retroactive
insurance premiums or costs, litigation, appeal and court costs, and
out-of-pocket expenses of such person during any investigation, hearing, trial
or appeal of any such action or suit, including any interest payable thereon),
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or
settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any
claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be
liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the
corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the
court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application
that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances
of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
SECTION 3. To the extent that a present or past director, officer,
employee or agent of the corporation has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any action, suit, arbitration or proceeding referred to
in Sections 1 and 2, or in defense of claim, issue or matter therein, he shall
be indemnified against expenses (including, but not limited to, attorneys' fees,
expert fees, bonds, prospective or retroactive insurance premiums or costs,
litigation, appeal, and court costs, and out-of-pocket expenses of such person
during any investigation, hearing, arbitration, trial or appeal of any such
action, suit or proceeding) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection therewith, including any interest payable thereon.
SECTION 4. The board of directors shall cause the corporation to advance
to any person covered by Sections 1 or 2 the expenses (including, but not
limited to, attorneys' fees, expert fees, bonds, prospective or retroactive
insurance premiums or costs, litigation, appeal, and court costs and
out-of-pocket expenses, of such person during any investigation, hearing,
arbitration, trial or appeal of any such action, suit, arbitration or
proceeding) incurred by that person in defending a threatened, pending, or
completed civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative action suit,
arbitration, or proceeding, including any interest payable thereon, in advance
of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding.
SECTION 5. Any advance by the board of directors under Section 4 above
to any employee or agent who is not a present or past director or officer of the
corporation shall be conditional upon evidence of compliance with the terms and
conditions, if any, deemed appropriate and specified by the board of directors
for such advance if such employee or agent is determined ultimately to be not
legally entitled to indemnification from the corporation.
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SECTION 6. Any advance authorized by the board of directors under
Section 4 above to a present or past officer or director shall be conditional
upon prior receipt by the corporation of a written undertaking from that officer
or director to repay such advance if he is determined ultimately to be not
legally entitled to indemnification from the corporation. Such undertaking shall
be in the form of a simple agreement by the officer or director to repay
advances made to him in the event that it is determined ultimately that he is
not legally entitled to indemnification by the corporation. Such undertaking
shall specifically state that no bond, collateral or other security shall be
required by the officer or director to insure its performance and that no
interest on any amount advanced shall be required to be paid to the corporation
if the officer or director is determined ultimately to be not legally entitled
to indemnification from the corporation.
SECTION 7. The board of directors, in its sole discretion, may establish
and may fund in advance and from time to time, in whole or in part, a separate
provision or provisions, which may be in the form of a trust fund, periodic or
advance retainers to counsel, or otherwise as the board of directors may
determine in each instance, to be used as payment and/or advances of
indemnification obligations under this Article VII to officers, directors,
employees and agents of the corporation; provided, however, that any amount
which is contributed to such fund shall not in any way be construed to be a
limitation on the amount of indemnification and/or advances of the corporation.
SECTION 8. The board of directors shall cause the corporation to pay to
any director, officer, employee or agent all expenses (including, but not
limited to, attorneys' fees, expert fees, bonds, prospective or retroactive
insurance premiums or costs, litigation, appeal, and court costs, and
out-of-pocket expenses of such person during any investigation, hearing,
arbitration, trial or appeal of any such action, suit, arbitration or
proceeding, including any interest payable thereon), which may be incurred by
such director, officer, employee or agent in enforcing his rights to
indemnification (as set forth herein in Sections 1, 2 and 3) and/or advances (as
set forth herein in Section 4) whether or not such director, officer, employee
or agent is successful in enforcing such rights and whether or not suit or other
proceedings are commenced.
SECTION 9. Any amendment to this Article VII shall only apply
prospectively and shall in no way affect the corporation's obligations to
indemnify and make advances to officers, directors, employees and agents as set
forth in this Article VII for actions or events which occurred before any such
amendment, and provided that any amendment to this Article VII shall require
affirmative vote of four-fifths of the entire board of directors.
SECTION 10. Any indemnification granted under the provisions of Sections
1, 2, 3 and 8 above shall be subject to the provisions of subsections (d), (e),
(f) and (g) of Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware.
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ARTICLE VIII.
CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS
SECTION 1. CONTRACTS. The board of directors may authorize any officer
or officers, agent or agents to enter into any contract or execute and deliver
any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation. Such authority
may be general or confined to specific instances.
SECTION 2. LOANS. No loan shall be contracted on behalf of the
corporation and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name, unless
authorized by resolution of the board of directors. Such authority may be
general or confined to specific instances.
SECTION 3. CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC. All checks, drafts or other order or
other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness
issued in the name of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or
officers, agent or agents and in such manner that shall from time to time be
determined by resolution of the board of directors.
SECTION 4. DEPOSITS. All funds of the corporation not otherwise employed
shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in the
bank or banks or other depositories that the board of directors may elect.
ARTICLE IX.
VOTING OF STOCK OF OTHER CORPORATIONS
Unless otherwise ordered by the board of directors, the chairman of the
board shall have full power and authority on behalf of the corporation to act
and vote at any meeting of stockholders of any corporation in which the
corporation may hold stock, and at any such meeting, shall possess, and may
exercise, any and all of the rights and powers incident to the ownership of the
stock, which, as the owner thereof, the corporation might have possessed and
exercised if present. The board of directors by resolution from time to time,
may confer like powers upon any other person or persons.
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ARTICLE X.
NOTICES
SECTION 1. FORM OF NOTICE. Whenever under the provisions of the
statutes, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these bylaws, notice is required
to be given to any director or stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean
personal notice, but the notice may be given in writing by mail, which shall
mean depositing same in a United States Postal Service post office or letter
box, in a postage paid, sealed envelope, addressed to the stockholder or
director at the address that appears on the books of the corporation or, in
default of other address, to such director or stockholder at the United States
Postal Service general post office in the City of Wilmington, Delaware, and the
notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be thus
mailed or by any other means expressly provided for in these bylaws.
SECTION 2. WAIVER OF NOTICE. Whenever any notice is required to be given
under the provision of the statutes, the Certificate of Incorporation or these
bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to
the notice whether before or after the time stated therein shall be deemed
equivalent thereto.
ARTICLE XI.
STOCK CERTIFICATES
SECTION 1. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES. The certificates for shares of the
capital stock of the corporation shall be in the form, not inconsistent with the
Certificate of Incorporation, that shall be approved by the board of directors.
The certificate shall be signed by the chairman of the board, president or a
vice president, and either the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, or the
secretary or an assistant secretary, but where the certificate is signed by a
transfer agent or an assistant transfer agent and a registrar, the signatures of
the chairman of the board, president, vice president, treasurer, assistant
treasurer, secretary or assistant secretary may be facsimiles. All certificates
shall be consecutively numbered, and the name of the person owning the shares
represented thereby, with the number of shares and the date of issue shall be
entered in the corporation's books. No certificate shall be valid unless it is
signed by the chairman of the board, president, or a vice president, and either
the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant
secretary, but where the certificate is signed by a transfer agent or an
assistant transfer agent and a registrar, the signatures of the chairman of the
board, president, vice president, treasurer, assistant treasurer, secretary or
assistant secretary may be facsimiles. All certificates surrendered to the
corporation shall be canceled, and no new certificates shall be issued until the
former certificate for the same number of shares of the same class shall have
been surrendered and canceled.
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SECTION 2. TRANSFER OF SHARES. Shares of the capital stock of the
corporation shall be transferred only on the books of the corporation by the
holder thereof in person or by his attorney upon surrender and cancellation of
certificates for the same number of shares.
SECTION 3. REGULATIONS. The board of directors shall have authority to
make any rules and regulations that they may deem expedient concerning the
issue, transfer and registration of certificates for shares of the capital stock
of the corporation. The board of directors may appoint one or more transfer
agents or assistant transfer agents and one or more registrars of transfers and
may require all certificates to bear the signature of the transfer agent or
assistant transfer agent and a registrar of transfers. The board of directors
may at any time terminate the appointment of any transfer agent or any assistant
transfer agent or any registrar of transfers by the vote of a majority of the
board of directors.
SECTION 4. FIXING DATE FOR DETERMINATION OF STOCKHOLDERS' RIGHTS. The
board of directors may close the stock transfer books of the corporation for a
period not exceeding 50 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 not exceeding 50 days in connection with
obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purpose. In lieu of closing the
stock transfer books as aforesaid, the board of directors may fix a date not
exceeding 50 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 determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at,
any meeting and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any
dividend, or to any allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of
any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or to give such consent,
and in such case the stockholders and only the stockholders that shall be
stockholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to the notice or
to receive payment of the dividend, or to receive the allotment of rights, or to
exercise the rights or to give such consent, as the case may be, notwithstanding
any transfer of any stock on the books of the corporation after any record date
fixed as aforesaid.
SECTION 5. REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS. The corporation shall be entitled to
treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact
thereof and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other
claim to or interest in the share or shares on the part of any other person
whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof except as otherwise
provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.
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SECTION 6. LOST CERTIFICATES. The board of directors may direct a new
certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or
certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost or
destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact with the person claiming
the certificate of stock to be lost or destroyed. When authorizing the issue of
a new certificate or certificates, the board of directors may, in its discretion
and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of the
lost or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal representative, to
advertise the same in a manner that it shall require for each share of stock
having voting power registered in his name and to give the corporation a bond in
the sum that it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made
against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been
lost or destroyed.
SECTION 7. DIVIDENDS. The board of directors may from time to time
declare, and the corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares in the
manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and the Certificate of
Incorporation.
SECTION 8. RESERVE FUNDS. Before payment of any dividend there may be
set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends the sum or
sums that the board of directors may from time to time in their absolute
discretion think proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies, or for
equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the
corporation, or for any other purpose that the directors shall think conducive
to the interest of the corporation and the board of directors may modify or
abolish the reserve in the manner in which it was created.
ARTICLE XII.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin
on the first day of January in each year.
SECTION 2. INSPECTION OF BOOKS. The board of directors shall determine
from time to time whether, and if allowed, when and under what conditions and
regulations, the accounts and books of the corporation (except as may be by
statute specifically open to inspection) or any of them, shall be open to the
inspection of the stockholders, and a stockholder's rights in this respect are,
and shall be, restricted and limited accordingly.
SECTION 3. GENDER. The use of the masculine gender in these bylaws shall
be deemed to include the feminine gender.
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ARTICLE XIII.
AMENDMENTS TO AND SUSPENSION OF BYLAWS
SECTION 1. AMENDMENTS. Subject to the provisions of Section 12 of
Article IV, these bylaws may be altered or repealed at any regular meeting of
the stockholders or at any special meeting of the stockholders at which a quorum
is present or represented, provided notice of the proposed alteration or repeal
be contained in the notice of the special meeting, by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and present or
represented thereat, or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board of
directors at any regular meeting of the board of directors or at any special
meeting of the board of directors, if notice of the proposed alteration or
repeal be contained in the notice of the special meeting.
SECTION 2. SUSPENSION. Any provision of these bylaws may be suspended by
vote of two-thirds of the votes cast upon the motion to suspend except that the
suspension of the bylaw provision might be in contravention of any provision of
any statute or of the Certificate of Incorporation.
* * *
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ANNEX A
APACHE CORPORATION
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
I. Purposes of the Audit Committee: The purposes of the audit committee are
to assist the board of directors:
(a) in its oversight of the corporation's accounting and financial
reporting principles and policies and internal audit controls
and procedures;
(b) in its oversight of the corporation's financial statements and
the independent audit thereof;
(c) in selecting (or nominating the outside auditors to be proposed
for stockholder approval in any proxy statement), evaluating
and, where deemed appropriate, replacing the outside auditors;
and
(d) in evaluating the independence of the outside auditors.
The function of the audit committee is oversight. The management
of the corporation is responsible for the preparation, presentation and
integrity of the corporation's financial statements. Management is
responsible for maintaining appropriate accounting and financial
reporting principles and policies and internal controls and procedures
designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable
laws and regulations. The outside auditors are responsible for planning
and carrying out a proper audit and reviews, including reviews of the
corporation's quarterly financial statements prior to the filing of each
quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and other procedures. In fulfilling their
responsibilities hereunder, it is recognized that members of the audit
committee are not full-time employees of the corporation and are not,
and do not represent themselves to be, accountants or auditors by
profession or experts in the fields of accounting or auditing. As such,
it is not the duty or responsibility of the audit committee or its
members to conduct "field work" or other types of auditing or accounting
reviews or procedures, and each member of the audit committee shall be
entitled to rely on (i) the integrity of those persons and organizations
within and outside the corporation that it receives information from and
(ii) the accuracy of the financial and other information provided to the
audit committee by such persons or organizations absent actual knowledge
to the contrary (which shall be promptly reported to the board of
directors).
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The outside auditors for the corporation are ultimately
accountable to the board of directors (as assisted by the audit
committee). The board of directors, with the assistance of the audit
committee, has the ultimate authority and responsibility to select,
evaluate and, where appropriate, replace the outside auditors (or to
nominate the outside auditors to be proposed for stockholder approval in
the proxy statement).
The outside auditors shall submit to the corporation annually a
formal written statement delineating all relationships between the
outside auditors and the corporation ("Statement as to Independence"),
addressing at least the matters set forth in Independence Standard No. 1
of the Independence Standards Board.
II. Meetings of the Audit Committee: The audit committee shall meet four
times annually, or more frequently if circumstances dictate, to discuss
with management the annual audited financial statements and quarterly
financial statements (and quarterly financial results.) In addition to
such meetings of the audit committee as may be required to discuss the
matters set forth in Article III below, the audit committee should meet
separately at least annually with management, the director of the
internal auditing department and the outside auditors to discuss any
matters that the audit committee or any of these persons or firms
believe should be discussed privately. The audit committee may request
any officer or employee of the corporation or the corporation's outside
counsel or outside auditors to attend a meeting of the audit committee
or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the audit committee.
Members of the audit committee may participate in a meeting of the audit
committee by means of conference call or similar communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can
hear each other.
III. Duties and Powers of the Audit Committee: To carry out its purposes, the
audit committee shall have the following duties and powers:
(a) With respect to the outside auditors:
(i) to provide advice to the board of directors in
selecting, evaluating or replacing outside auditors;
(ii) to review the fees charged by the outside auditors for
audit and non-audit services;
(iii) to ensure that the outside auditors prepare and deliver
annually a Statement as to Independence (it being
understood that the outside auditors are responsible for
the accuracy and completeness of this Statement), to
discuss with the outside
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auditors any relationships or services disclosed in this
Statement that may impact the objectivity and
independence of the corporation's outside auditors and
to recommend that the board of directors take
appropriate action in response to such Statement to
satisfy itself of the outside auditors' independence;
and
(iv) to instruct the outside auditors that the outside
auditors are ultimately accountable to the board of
directors and audit committee.
(b) With respect to the internal auditing department:
(i) to review the appointment and replacement of the
director of the internal auditing department; and
(ii) to advise the director of the internal auditing
department that he or she is expected to provide to the
audit committee summaries of and, as appropriate, the
significant reports to management prepared by the
internal auditing department and management's responses
thereto.
(c) With respect to financial reporting principles and policies and
internal audit controls and procedures:
(i) to advise management, the internal auditing department
and the outside auditors that they are expected to
provide to the audit committee a timely analysis of
significant financial reporting issues and practices;
(ii) to consider any reports or communications (and
management's and/or the internal audit department's
responses thereto) submitted to the audit committee by
the outside auditors required by or referred to in
Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61 (as codified by
AU Section 380), as may be modified or supplemented,
including reports and communications related to:
- deficiencies noted in the audit in the design or
operation of internal controls;
- consideration of fraud in a financial statement
audit;
- detection of illegal acts;
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- the outside auditor's responsibility under
generally accepted auditing standards;
- significant accounting policies;
- management judgments and accounting estimates;
- adjustments arising from the audit;
- the responsibility of the outside auditor for
other information in documents containing
audited financial statements;
- disagreements with management;
- consultation by management with other
accountants;
- major issues discussed with management prior to
retention of the outside auditor;
- difficulties encountered with management in
performing the audit; and
- reviews of interim financial information
conducted by the outside auditor;
(iii) to meet with management and the outside auditors to
discuss the quality of the corporation's accounting
principals;
(iv) to meet with management, the director of the internal
auditing department and/or the outside auditors:
- to discuss the scope of the annual audit;
- to review and discuss the corporation's annual
and quarterly financial statements;
- to discuss any significant matters arising from
any audit or report or communication referred to
in items (b)(ii) or (c)(ii) above, whether
raised by management, the internal auditing
department or the outside auditors, relating to
the corporation's financial statements;
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- to review the form of opinion the outside
auditors propose to render to the board of
directors and stockholders;
- to discuss significant changes to the
corporation's auditing and accounting
principles, policies, controls, procedures and
practices proposed or contemplated by the
internal auditing department or management; and
- to inquire about significant risks and
exposures, if any, and the steps taken to
monitor and minimize such risks;
(v) to obtain from the outside auditors assurance that the
audit was conducted in a manner consistent with Section
10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
which sets forth certain procedures to be followed in
any audit of financial statements required under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(vi) to discuss with the corporation's General Counsel and
management any significant legal matters that may have a
material effect on the financial statements, the
corporation's compliance policies, including material
notices to or inquiries received from governmental
agencies.
(d) With respect to reporting and recommendations:
(i) to prepare any report, including any recommendation of
the audit committee, required by the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission to be included in the
corporation's annual proxy statement;
(ii) to review this Charter at least annually, recommend any
changes to the full board of directors for approval and
have the document published as required by the rules of
the Securities and Exchange Commission; and
(iii) to report its activities to the full board of directors
on a regular basis and to make such recommendations with
respect to the above and other matters as the audit
committee may deem necessary or appropriate.
IV. Resources and Authority of the Audit Committee: The audit committee
shall have the resources and authorities appropriate to discharge its
responsibilities, including the authority to engage outside auditors for special
audits, reviews and other procedures and to retain special counsel and other
experts or consultants.
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