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EXHIBIT 3.1.a
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED
AS AMENDED
(Effective May 25, 2001)
FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Granite Construction Incorporated
(hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Corporation").
SECOND:The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the
State of Delaware is Incorporating Services, Ltd., 15 East North Street, in the
City of Dover, County of Kent. The name of the registered agent at that address
is Incorporating Services, Ltd.
THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation
Law of Delaware.
FOURTH:
A. Capitalization. The total number of shares of all classes of
stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is one hundred three
million (103,000,000):
(1) Three million (3,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock, par
value one cent ($0.01) per share (the "Preferred Stock"); and
(2) One hundred million (100,000,000) shares of Common Stock,
par value one cent ($0.01) per share (the "Common Stock").
B. Series of Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors is authorized,
subject to any limitations prescribed by law, to provide for the issuance of the
shares of Preferred Stock in series, and by filing a certificate pursuant to the
applicable law of the State of Delaware, to establish from time to time the
number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation,
powers, preferences, and rights of the shares of each such series and any
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.
FIFTH: The following provisions are inserted for the management of the
business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and for further
definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Corporation and of
its directors and stockholders:
A. Powers of Directors. The business and affairs of the Corporation
shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In
addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon them by statute or
by this Certificate of Incorporation or the
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Bylaws of the Corporation, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all
such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the
Corporation.
B. Ballot Unnecessary. The directors of the Corporation need not be
elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.
C. Stockholders Must Meet to Act. Any action required or permitted to be
taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called
annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be
effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.
D. Call of Special Meeting of Stockholders. Special meetings of
stockholders of the Corporation may be called only (1) by the Board of Directors
Pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized
directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized
directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board for
adoption) or (2) by the holders of not less than ten percent (10%) of all of the
shares entitled to cast votes at the meeting. The procedure for calling a
special meeting of stockholders will be as set forth in this Certificate of
Incorporation or the Bylaws.
SIXTH:
A. Classification of Directors. The directors shall be divided into three
classes, as nearly equal in number as reasonably possible, with the term of
office of the first class to expire at the 1991 annual meeting of stockholders,
the term of office of the second class to expire at the 1992 annual meeting of
stockholders and the term of office of the third class to expire at the 1993
annual meeting of stockholders. At each annual meeting of stockholders following
such initial classification and election, directors shall be elected to succeed
those directors whose terms expire for a term of office to expire at the third
succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election. All directors
shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected, and until
their respective successors are elected, except in the case of the death,
resignation, or removal of any director.
B. Filling Vacancies on the Board. Subject to the rights of the holders of
any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, newly created directorships
resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any
vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation,
retirement, removal from office, disqualification or other cause may be filled
only by a majority vote of the directors then in office, though less than a
quorum, and directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the
annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which
they have been elected expires.
C. Removal of Directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any
series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, any directors, or the entire Board
of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and
only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting
power of all of the then outstanding shares of capital
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stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors, voting together as a single class.
SEVENTH: Power to Amend Bylaws. The Board of Directors is expressly
empowered to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws of the Corporation. Any adoption,
amendment or repeal of Bylaws of the Corporation by the Board of Directors shall
require the approval of a majority of the total number of authorized directors
(whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships
at the time any resolution providing for adoption, amendment or repeal is
presented to the Board) The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend
or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation In addition to any vote of the holders
of any class or series of stock of this Corporation required by law or by this
Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
66-2/3 percent of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of stock
of all classes and series of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to
adopt, amend or repeal any provision of the Bylaws of the Corporation.
EIGHTH:[Intentionally omitted]
NINTH: Board Discretion Regarding Certain Transactions. The Board of
Directors of the Corporation (the "Board"), when evaluating any offer to another
party (a) to make a tender or exchange offer for any capital stock of the
Corporation or (b) to effect any merger, consolidation, or sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, shall, in connection with
the exercise of its judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the
Corporation as a whole, be authorized to give due consideration to such factors
as the Board determines to be relevant, including, without limitation:
(i) the interests of the Corporation's stockholders;
(ii) whether the proposed transaction might violate federal or state
laws;
(iii) not only the consideration being offered in the proposed
transaction, in relation to the then current market price for the outstanding
capital stock of the Corporation, but also in relation to the market price for
the capital stock of the Corporation over a period of years, the estimated price
that will be achieved in a negotiated sale of the Corporation as a whole or in
part or through orderly liquidation, the premiums over market price for the
securities of other corporations in similar transactions, current political,
economic and other factors bearing on securities prices and the Corporation's
financial condition and future prospects; and
(iv) the social, legal and economic effects upon employees,
suppliers, customers and others having similar relationships with the
Corporation, and the communities in which the Corporation conducts its business.
In connection with any such evaluation, the Board is authorized to conduct
such investigations and to engage in such legal proceedings as the Board may
determine.
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TENTH: Elimination of Monetary Liability. The liability of the directors
of the Corporation for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest
extent permissible under Delaware law.
Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article
TENTH by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any
right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of
such repeal or modification.
ELEVENTH: Future Amendments. The Corporation reserves the right to amend
or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation in the
manner prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights conferred
upon stockholders are granted subject to this reservation; provided, however,
that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation
or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote,
but in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of the stock
of this Corporation required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation, the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3 percent of the combined
voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of all classes and series of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting
together as a single class, shall be required to amend, repeal or adopt any
provision inconsistent with Article FIFTH (except Section D thereof), SIXTH
(except Section C thereof), SEVENTH, EIGHTH, NINTH, TENTH or this Article
ELEVENTH.
TWELFTH: The name and mailing address of the sole incorporator is as
follows:
Name Mailing Address
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David H. Watts 585 West Beach St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
I, THE UNDERSIGNED, being the president, do certify that the facts herein
stated are true and, accordingly, have hereto set my hand this 23rd day of May,
2001.
By: /s/ DAVID H. WATTS
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David H. Watts
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