EX-4.2 3 d781168dex42.htm EX-4.2 EX-4.2

Exhibit 4.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

CENTURI HOLDINGS, INC.

Incorporated under the Laws of the State of Delaware

Effective as of April 11, 2024


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE I OFFICES AND RECORDS

     1  

ARTICLE II STOCKHOLDERS

     1  

ARTICLE III BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     13  

ARTICLE IV OFFICERS

     15  

ARTICLE V CAPITAL STOCK

     17  

ARTICLE VI INDEMNIFICATION

     19  

ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     22  

ARTICLE VIII CONTRACTS, PROXIES

     24  

ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS

     25  

ARTICLE X CONSTRUCTION

     25  


ARTICLE I

OFFICES AND RECORDS

Section 1.1. Delaware Office. The registered office of Centuri Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”) shall be located at 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware, 19801, and National Registered Agents, Inc. shall be the registered agent of the Corporation in charge thereof. The registered office and registered agent may be changed by the Corporation from time to time.

Section 1.2. Other Offices. The Corporation may have such other offices, either inside or outside the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) may from time to time designate or as the business of the Corporation may require.

Section 1.3. Books and Records. Except to the extent otherwise required by law, the books and records of the Corporation may be kept inside or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE II

STOCKHOLDERS

Section 2.1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be held on such date and at such time and in such manner as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 2.2. Special Meeting. Special meetings of the stockholders may only be called by or at the direction of (1) the Chair of the Board of Directors, (2) the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or (3) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies. The stockholders of the Corporation shall not have the power to call a special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation or to request the Secretary of the Corporation to call a special meeting of the stockholders. Notice of every special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall state the purpose or purposes of such meeting. Except as otherwise required by law, the business conducted at a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be limited exclusively to the business set forth in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, and the individual or group of directors calling such meeting shall have exclusive authority to determine the business included in such notice. The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any special meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board of Directors.

Section 2.3. Time and Place of Meeting. The Board of Directors or the Chair of the Board of Directors, as the case may be, may designate the place, date and time of any annual or special meeting of the stockholders or may designate that the meeting be held by means of remote communication. If no designation is so made, the place of meeting shall be the principal office of the Corporation.

 

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Section 2.4. Notice of Meeting. Written or printed notice, stating the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given by the Corporation not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, either personally, by electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) (except to the extent prohibited by Section 232(e) of the DGCL) or by mail, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail with postage thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. If notice is given by electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed to be given at the times provided in the DGCL. Such further notice shall be given as may be required by applicable law. Meetings may be held without notice if all stockholders entitled to vote are present, or if notice is waived by those not present in accordance with Section 7.4 of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, these “Bylaws”). Any previously scheduled meeting of the stockholders may be postponed, and (unless the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, and, from and after a Trigger Event, subject to the provisions of the Separation Agreement, the “Certificate of Incorporation”) otherwise provides) any special meeting of the stockholders may be cancelled, by resolution of the Board of Directors upon public notice given prior to the date previously scheduled for such meeting of stockholders.

Section 2.5. Quorum and Adjournment. Except as otherwise required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority of the Voting Stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of a majority of the shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. The Chair of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or such other person as may be designated chair of the meeting pursuant to Section 2.6 may adjourn the meeting from time to time, whether or not there is a quorum. No notice of the time and place, if any, of adjourned meetings need be given except as required by applicable law. The stockholders present at a duly called meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.

Section 2.6. Organization. Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chair of the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such a person, such person as the Board of Directors may designate as chair of the meeting, or if none or in the Chair of the Board of Directors’s absence or inability to act, the Chief Executive Officer, or if none or in the Chief Executive Officer’s absence or inability to act, the President, or if none or in the President’s absence or inability to act, a Vice President, or, if none of the foregoing is present or able to act, by a chair to be chosen by the holders of a majority of voting power of the shares of capital stock entitled to vote thereon who are present in person or by proxy at the meeting. The Secretary, or in the Secretary’s absence, an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of every meeting, but if neither the Secretary nor an Assistant Secretary is present, the chair of the meeting shall appoint any person present to act as secretary of the meeting. The Board of Directors shall be entitled to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and regulations of the Board of Directors, if any, the chair of the meeting

 

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shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chair, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting, rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present, limitations on participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies and such other persons as the chair shall permit, restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the opening and closing of the polls for balloting and matters which are to be voted on by ballot.

Section 2.7. Proxies and List of Stockholders.

(a) Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action by consent without a meeting may authorize, in any manner permitted by Section 212(c) of the DGCL, another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy. No proxy may be voted or acted upon after the expiration of three (3) years from the date of such proxy, unless such proxy provides for a longer period. Every proxy is revocable at the pleasure of the stockholder executing it unless the proxy states that it is irrevocable and applicable law makes it irrevocable. A stockholder may revoke any proxy that is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or by filing another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary. Any stockholder soliciting proxies from other stockholders must use a proxy card color other than white, which shall be reserved for the exclusive use by the Board of Directors.

(b) List of Stockholders. A complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at each meeting of stockholders, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address and number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder, shall be prepared and made available for examination a period of not less than ten (10) days ending on the day before the meeting in accordance with Section 219 of the DGCL.

Section 2.8. Advance Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.

(a) Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Without qualification or limitation, for any nominations or any other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Section 2.9(a) of these Bylaws, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof (including, in the case of nominations, the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 2.10 of these Bylaws), and timely updates and supplements thereof, in each case in proper form, in writing to the Secretary, and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action.

To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred and twentieth (120th) day and not later than the 5:00 p.m. local time at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (for purposes of this Section 2.8, the “close of business”) on the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the first (1st) anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date or if no annual meeting was held during the prior

 

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year, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred and twentieth (120th) day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the date of such annual meeting or, if the first such annual meeting is less than one hundred (100) days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the tenth (10th) day following the day on which Public Announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement (or the Public Announcement thereof) of an annual meeting for which notice has been given, or for which a Public Announcement of the date of the meeting has been made by the Corporation, commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

Notwithstanding anything in the immediately preceding paragraph to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased by the Board of Directors, and there is no Public Announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least ten (10) days prior to the last day a stockholder may deliver a notice under the preceding paragraph, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 2.8(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such Public Announcement is first made by the Corporation.

In addition, to be considered timely, a stockholder’s notice shall further be updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for the meeting in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date, and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. The obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these Bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any proposal or to submit any new proposal, including by changing or adding nominees, matters, business and/or resolutions proposed to be brought before a meeting of the stockholders.

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business as shall have been brought before the special meeting of the stockholders pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting shall be conducted at such meeting. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting; provided that, other than with respect to a nomination made pursuant to the Separation Agreement, the stockholder gives timely notice thereof (including the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 2.10 of these Bylaws), and timely updates and supplements thereof in each case in proper form, in writing, to the Secretary.

 

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To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred and twentieth (120th) day prior to the date of such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the date of such special meeting or, if the first Public Announcement of the date of such special meeting is less than one hundred (100) days prior to the date of such special meeting, the tenth (10th) day following the day on which Public Announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of a special meeting of stockholders, or the Public Announcement thereof, commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

In addition, to be considered timely, a stockholder’s notice shall further be updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for the meeting in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date, and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting, any adjournment or postponement thereof in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. The obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these Bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any proposal or to submit any new proposal, including by changing or adding nominees, matters, business and/or resolutions proposed to be brought before a meeting of the stockholders.

(c) Disclosure Requirements. To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice pursuant to this Section 2.8 or Section 2.9 must include the following, as applicable:

(i) As to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal, as applicable, is made, a stockholder’s notice must set forth:

(A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of such beneficial owner, if any, and of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner;

(B) the class or series and number of shares of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner;

 

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(C) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived, in whole or in part, from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, or any derivative or synthetic arrangement having the characteristics of a long position in any class or series of shares of the Corporation, or any contract, derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions designed to produce economic benefits and risks that correspond substantially to the ownership of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, including due to the fact that the value of such contract, derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions is determined by reference to the price, value or volatility of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument, contract or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of shares of the Corporation, through the delivery of cash or other property, or otherwise, and without regard to whether the stockholder of record, the beneficial owner, if any, or any affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner may have entered into transactions that hedge or mitigate the economic effect of such instrument, contract or right, or any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation (any of the foregoing, a “Derivative Instrument”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, or any affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner;

(D) any proxy, contract, arrangement or understanding pursuant to which such stockholder, such beneficial owner or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner has any right to vote any class or series of shares of the Corporation;

(E) any agreement, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, including any repurchase or similar so-called “stock borrowing” agreement or arrangement, involving such stockholder, such beneficial owner or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, the purpose or effect of which is to mitigate loss to, reduce the economic risk (of ownership or otherwise) of any class or series of the shares of the Corporation by, manage the risk of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder, such beneficial owner or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner with respect to any class or series of the shares of the Corporation, or which provides, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the price or value of any class or series of the shares of the Corporation (any of the foregoing, a “Short Interest”);

(F) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder, such beneficial owner or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation;

(G) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder, such beneficial owner or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner of such general or limited partnership;

 

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(H) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder, such beneficial owner or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, including, without limitation, any such interests held by members of the immediate family sharing the same household of such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner;

(I) any significant equity interests or any Derivative Instruments or Short Interests in any Principal Competitors held by such stockholder, such beneficial owner or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner;

(J) any direct or indirect interest of such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner in any contract with the Corporation, any affiliate of the Corporation or any Principal Competitor (including, in any such case, any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement);

(K) all information that would be required to be set forth in a Schedule 13D filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(a) or an amendment pursuant to Rule 13d-2(a) if such a statement were required to be filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, by such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner, if any; and

(L) any other information relating to such stockholder, such beneficial owner or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement and form or proxy or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

(ii) If the notice includes any business other than a nomination of a director or directors that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a stockholder’s notice must, in addition to the matters set forth in subsection (i) above, also set forth: (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest of such stockholder, such beneficial owner and each of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, in such business; (B) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such proposal or business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the text of the proposed amendment); and (C) a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder, such beneficial owner and each of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder;

 

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(iii) As to each individual, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board of Directors, a stockholder’s notice must, in addition to the matters set forth in subsection (i) above and subsections (iv) and (v) below, also set forth: (A) all information relating to such individual that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (B) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three (3) years, and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert with such proposed nominee, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the proposed nominee, his or her respective affiliates or associates, or any others acting in concert with such proposed nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant;

(iv) With respect to each individual, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board of Directors, a stockholder’s notice must, in addition to the matters set forth in subsections (i) and (iii) above and subsection (v) below, also include the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 2.10 of these Bylaws. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee; and

(v) If a stockholder proposes to nominate an individual for election or reelection to the Board of Directors, a stockholder’s notice must, in addition to the matters set forth in subsections (i), (iii) and (iv) above, also set forth:

(A) a representation as to whether such stockholder intends (1) to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve the nomination, (2) to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Corporation’s nominees in accordance with Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act, and/or (3) otherwise solicit proxies in support of such nomination;

(B) a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder, such beneficial owner and each of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with such stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with such nomination; and

 

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(C) a representation that such stockholder shall provide all other information and affirmations, updates and supplements required pursuant to these Bylaws.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws, including, without limitation, Sections 2.8, 2.9, and 2.10 hereof, or pursuant to the Separation Agreement shall be eligible for election as directors. The stockholder delivering a stockholder’s notice pursuant to this Section 2.8 will indemnify the Corporation in respect of any loss arising as a result of any false or misleading information or statement submitted by the stockholder in connection with a nomination to the fullest extent permitted by law.

(d) For any stockholder that, pursuant to Section 2.8(c)(v)(A)(2), has included a representation that such stockholder intends to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Corporation’s nominees in accordance with Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act, such stockholder’s notice must, in addition to the matters set forth in Section 2.8(c) above, also include a signed acknowledgement (the form of which such stockholder shall request in writing from the Secretary and which the Secretary shall provide to such stockholder within ten (10) days after receiving such request) that (i) the Corporation shall disregard any proxies given for such stockholder’s director nominee(s) on the Corporation’s proxy card if such stockholder fails to comply with the requirements of Rules 14a-19(a) under the Exchange Act and (ii) the Corporation’s proxy materials and proxy card may include statements that the Corporation’s designated proxy holder(s) will not exercise the proxy power otherwise granted thereby to vote the shares as to which any proxies relate in favor of any director nominees if the stockholder thereof fails to comply with the requirements of Rules 14a-19(a) under the Exchange Act.

(e) If a stockholder no longer intends to solicit holders of shares of the Corporation in accordance with the representation made pursuant to Section 2.8(c)(v)(A)(2), such stockholder shall inform the Corporation of this change by delivering a writing to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation no later than two (2) business days after the occurrence of such change. If a stockholder (i) provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act and (ii) such person or entity subsequently fails to comply with the requirements of Rules 14a-19(a) under the Exchange Act, then the Corporation shall instruct its designated proxy holders not to exercise the proxy power otherwise granted thereby to vote the shares as to which any proxies relate in favor of any director nominees nominated by such stockholder (and such nominees shall be disqualified from standing for election or re-election). Upon request by the Corporation, if any stockholder provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act, such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation, no later than five (5) business days prior to the applicable meeting, reasonable evidence that the requirements of Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act have been satisfied.

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of these Bylaws, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder (including, without limitation Rule 14a-19) with respect to the matters set forth in these Bylaws, and any failure to comply therewith shall be deemed a failure to comply with these Bylaws; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or the rules promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the separate and additional requirements set forth in these Bylaws with respect to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered.

 

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(g) Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights: (i) of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act; (ii) of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock if and to the extent provided for under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws; or (iii) of Southwest Gas Holdings under the Separation Agreement.

Section 2.9. Order of Business.

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. At any annual meeting of stockholders, only such nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors shall be made, and only such other business shall be conducted or considered, as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. For nominations to be properly made at an annual meeting, and proposals of other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting, nominations and proposals of other business must be: (i) specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; (ii) otherwise properly made at the annual meeting, by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (iii) otherwise properly requested to be brought before the annual meeting by a stockholder of the Corporation in accordance with Section 2.8 and this Section 2.9 of these Bylaws. For nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors or proposals of other business to be properly requested by a stockholder to be made at an annual meeting, a stockholder must: (A) be a stockholder of record (i) at the time of the giving of notice of such annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) as of the record date for the annual meeting, and (iii) at the time of the annual meeting; (B) be entitled to vote at such annual meeting; and (C) comply with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws as to such business or nomination. The immediately preceding sentence shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or other business proposals (other than matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and included in the Corporation’s notice of meeting or nominations made pursuant to the Separation Agreement) before an annual meeting of stockholders. The number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at an annual meeting of stockholders (or in the case of a stockholder giving notice on behalf of a beneficial owner, the number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at the annual meeting of stockholders on behalf of such beneficial owner) shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such annual meeting.

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted or considered at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been properly brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, and, notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.9(b) to the contrary, a special meeting of stockholders may be called only in accordance with, and by persons authorized by, Section 2.2 of these Bylaws. To be properly brought before a special meeting, proposals of business must be (i) specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) otherwise properly brought before the special meeting, by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit the Board of Directors from submitting additional matters to stockholders at any such special meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which

 

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directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (A) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (B) by any stockholder of the Corporation who (1) is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice of such special meeting and at the time of the special meeting, (2) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (3) complies with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws as to such nomination. Except for nominations made pursuant to the Separation Agreement, this Section 2.9(b) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations at a special meeting of stockholders. The number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at a special meeting of stockholders (or in the case of a stockholder giving notice on behalf of a beneficial owner, the number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at the special meeting of stockholders on behalf of such beneficial owner) shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such special meeting.

(c) General. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the chair of any annual or special meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or other business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that no action shall be taken on such nomination or other proposal and such nomination or other proposal shall be disregarded (and any such nominee shall be disqualified from standing for election or re-election), notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Bylaws, except to the extent otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, if a stockholder (or a Qualified Representative of such stockholder) proposes to nominate an individual for election to the Board of Directors or proposes any other business to be made at an annual meeting or special meeting, as applicable, and does not appear at such meeting of stockholders to present its proposal, such nomination shall be disregarded (and any such nominee shall be disqualified from standing for election or re-election) or such business shall not be transacted, as applicable, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. To be considered a “Qualified Representative” of a stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, trustee manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing (i) executed by such stockholder, (ii) delivered (or a reliable reproduction or electronic transmission of the writing is delivered) by such stockholder to the Corporation at least five (5) business days prior to the applicable stockholder meeting and (iii) stating that such person is authorized to act for such stockholder with respect to the action to be taken.

Section 2.10. Submission of Questionnaire, Representation and Agreement. Except for nominations made pursuant to the Separation Agreement, to be eligible to be a nominee of any stockholder for election or reelection as a director of the Corporation, a person must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Section 2.8 of these Bylaws) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such individual and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf, directly or indirectly, the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request) and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such individual:

 

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(a) (i) is not and will not become a party to: (A) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation; and (B) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such individual’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such individual’s fiduciary duties under applicable law; and (ii) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director or nominee that has not been disclosed to the Corporation;

(b) agrees to promptly provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may reasonably request;

(c) in such individual’s personal capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf, directly or indirectly, the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply, with all applicable corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation publicly disclosed from time to time; and

(d) consents to being named as a nominee for election as a director and intends to serve as a director if elected for the full term for which he or she is standing for election.

Section 2.11. Procedure for Election of Directors; Required Vote.

(a) Election of directors at all meetings of the stockholders at which directors are to be elected shall be by ballot, and, subject to any rights of the holders of any class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation (“Preferred Stock”) to elect directors under specified circumstances, directors shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the votes cast at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present.

(b) Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of capital stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter shall be the act of the stockholders.

Section 2.12. Inspectors of Elections. The Board of Directors by resolution shall appoint one or more inspectors, which inspector or inspectors may, but does not need to, include individuals who serve the Corporation in other capacities, including, without limitation, as officers, employees, agents or representatives, to act at the meetings of stockholders and make a written report thereof. One or more persons may be designated as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate has been appointed to act or is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the chair of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall have the duties prescribed by law.

 

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Section 2.13. Stockholder Action by Written Consent. For so long as Southwest Gas Holdings Beneficially Owns at least 50% of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of the Corporation, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding capital stock of the Corporation having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of the Corporation’s capital stock entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and delivered to the Corporation in the manner provided by law. If Southwest Gas Holdings does not Beneficially Own 50% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of the Corporation, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.

ARTICLE III

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 3.1. General Powers. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.2. Number; Term of Office. The Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members, the number thereof to be determined in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation. Each director shall hold office until the expiration of the term of office to which such director was elected or appointed and until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until the director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal.

Section 3.3. Regular Meetings. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without other notice than this Bylaw immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting of stockholders. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, provide the time and place, if any, for the holding of additional regular meetings without other notice than such resolution.

Section 3.4. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called at the request of the Chair of the Board of Directors or a majority of the Board of Directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix the place, if any, and time of the meetings.

Section 3.5. Notice. No notice need be given of any organizational or stated meeting of the Board of Directors for which the Board of Directors has fixed the date, hour and place, if any. Notice of any special meeting of directors shall be given to each director at such person’s business or residence, in writing by hand delivery, first-class or overnight mail or courier service, by email or other electronic transmission, or orally by telephone. If mailed by first-class mail, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid, at least five (5) days before such meeting. If by overnight mail or courier service, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when delivered to the overnight mail or courier service company at least twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting. If by email, other

 

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electronic transmission, telephone or by hand, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the notice is transmitted at least twelve (12) hours before such meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice of such meeting, except for amendments to these Bylaws, as provided under Section 9.1 of these Bylaws. A meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Section 7.4 of these Bylaws.

Section 3.6. Action by Consent of Board of Directors. 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 all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, or by electronic transmission. After an action is taken, the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors, or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

Section 3.7. Conference Telephone Meetings. Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 3.8. Quorum. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, the presence of a majority of the directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business (provided that in no event shall less than one-third of the entire Board of Directors constitute a quorum). The act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the directors present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough directors to leave less than a quorum.

Section 3.9. Vacancies. Vacancies resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, shall be filled in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the total number of directors that the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

Section 3.10. Chair of the Board of Directors; Lead Independent Director; Vice Chair. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Chair of the Board of Directors will be elected by the Board of Directors and shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors. In addition, the Board of Directors may select a non-management director to serve as the Corporation’s “lead independent director” (the “Lead Independent Director”) and may select a non-management or management director to serve as the Corporation’s vice chairman (the “Vice Chair”).

 

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Section 3.11. Removal. Any director may be removed from office at any time with or without cause in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 3.12. Committees. Subject to the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors may (i) from time to time, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more directors of the Corporation, and (ii) designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any such committee may to the extent permitted by law exercise such powers and shall have such responsibilities as shall be specified in the designating resolution. Each committee shall keep written minutes of its proceedings and shall report such proceedings to the Board of Directors when required.

A majority of any committee may determine its action and fix the time and place, if any, of its meetings, unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide. Notice of such meetings shall be given to each member of the committee in the manner provided for in Section 3.5 of these Bylaws. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors shall have power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve, any such committee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the Board of Directors from appointing one or more committees consisting, in whole or in part, of persons who are not directors of the Corporation; provided, however, that no such committee shall have or may exercise any authority of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.13. Compensation. The directors shall be entitled to compensation for their services and reimbursement for expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their services.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 4.1. Elected Officers. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be a Secretary and such other officers (including, without limitation, a Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice Presidents, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer) as the Board of Directors from time to time may deem proper. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. All officers elected by the Board of Directors shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article IV. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board of Directors or by any committee thereof. The Board of Directors or any committee thereof may from time to time elect, or the Chief Executive Officer or the President may appoint, such other officers (including one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries or Assistant Treasurers) and such agents, as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Such other officers and agents shall have such duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as shall be provided in these Bylaws or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or such committee or by the Chief Executive Officer or the President, as the case may be.

Section 4.2. Election and Term of Office. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors. Each officer shall hold office until such officer’s successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified or until such officer’s earlier resignation or removal.

 

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Section 4.3. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be responsible for the general management of the affairs of the Corporation and shall perform all duties incidental to his or her office which may be required by applicable law and all such other duties as are properly required of him or her by the Board of Directors. He or she shall make reports to the Board of Directors and the stockholders, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors and of any committee thereof are carried into effect.

Section 4.4. President. The President shall act in a general executive capacity and shall assist the Chief Executive Officer in the administration and operation of the Corporation’s business and general supervision of its policies and affairs.

Section 4.5. Vice Presidents. Each Vice President shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to such Vice President by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

Section 4.6. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall act in an executive financial capacity. The Chief Financial Officer shall assist the Chief Executive Officer and the President in the general supervision of the Corporation’s financial policies and affairs.

Section 4.7. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall exercise general supervision over the receipt, custody and disbursement of corporate funds. The Treasurer shall cause the funds of the Corporation to be deposited in such banks as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or in such banks as may be designated as depositaries in the manner provided by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall have such further powers and duties and shall be subject to such directions as may be granted or imposed upon him or her from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

Section 4.8. Secretary. The Secretary shall:

(a) keep or cause to be kept in one or more books provided for that purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors, the committees of the Board of Directors and the stockholders;

(b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws and as required by applicable law;

(c) be custodian of the records and the seal of the Corporation and affix and attest the seal to all stock certificates, if any, of the Corporation (unless the seal of the Corporation on such certificates shall be a facsimile, as hereinafter provided) and affix and attest the seal to all other documents to be executed on behalf of the Corporation under its seal;

(d) see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by applicable law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and

 

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(e) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such Secretary by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

Section 4.9. Removal. Any officer elected, or agent appointed, by the Board of Directors may be removed from office with or without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office. Any officer or agent appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or the President may be removed by the officer who appointed such officer or agent with or without cause. No elected officer shall have any contractual rights against the Corporation for compensation by virtue of such election beyond the date of the election of his or her successor, his or her death, or his or her resignation or removal, whichever event shall first occur, except as otherwise provided in an employment contract or under an employee deferred compensation plan.

Section 4.10. Vacancies. A newly created elected office and a vacancy in any elected office because of death, resignation, or removal may be filled by the Board of Directors. Any vacancy in an office appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or the President because of death, resignation, or removal may be filled by the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

ARTICLE V

CAPITAL STOCK

Section 5.1. Stock; Transfers. Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the interest of each stockholder of the Corporation will be uncertificated.

The shares of the stock of the Corporation shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation, in the case of certificated shares of stock, if any, by the holder thereof in person or by such person’s attorney duly authorized in writing, upon surrender for cancellation of certificates for at least the same number of shares, with an assignment and power of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly executed, with such proof of the authenticity of the signature as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably require; and, in the case of uncertificated shares of stock, upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered holder of the shares or by such person’s attorney duly authorized in writing, and upon compliance with appropriate procedures for transferring shares in uncertificated form. No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing from and to whom transferred.

The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to make such lawful rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or proper concerning the issue, transfer and registration of shares of stock of the Corporation in both the certificated (if any) and uncertificated form.

Section 5.2. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. No certificate for shares of stock in the Corporation shall be issued in place of any certificate alleged to have been lost, destroyed or stolen, except on production of such evidence of such loss, destruction or theft and on delivery to the Corporation of a bond of indemnity in such amount, upon such terms and secured by such surety, as the Board of Directors or any financial officer may in its or such person’s discretion require.

 

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Section 5.3. Record Owners. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Section 5.4. Transfer and Registry Agents. The Corporation may from time to time maintain one or more transfer offices or agencies and registry offices or agencies at such place or places as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors or by the Chief Executive Officer or President.

Section 5.5. Record Date.

(a) Meetings. For the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall, subject to applicable law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

(b) Consent to Corporate Action Without a Meeting. For the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action without a meeting in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required by the DGCL, shall be the first date on which a signed consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with Section 228(d) of the DGCL. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by the DGCL, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

(c) Dividends, Distributions and Other Rights. For the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

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ARTICLE VI

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 6.1. Indemnification.

(a) In General. Each person who was or is a party or is otherwise threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter, a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative is or was, at any time during which this Article VI is in effect (whether or not such person continues to serve in such capacity at the time any indemnification or advancement of expenses pursuant hereto is sought or at the time any Proceeding relating thereto exists or is brought), a director or officer of the Corporation or, while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans maintained or sponsored by the Corporation (hereinafter, a “Covered Person”) will be (and will be deemed to have a contractual right to be) indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation (and any successor of the Corporation by merger or otherwise) to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or modified from time to time (but, in the case of any such amendment or modification, only to the extent that such amendment or modification permits the Corporation to provide greater indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment or modification), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection with such Proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner 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 or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person 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 the person’s conduct was unlawful. Such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation or ceased serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans maintained or sponsored by the Corporation, and will inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided in Section 6.1(c), the Corporation will indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.

 

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(b) Advance of Expenses. To the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or modified from time to time (but, in the case of any such amendment or modification, only to the extent that such amendment or modification permits the Corporation to provide greater rights to advancement of expenses than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment or modification), each Covered Person will have (and will be deemed to have a contractual right to have) the right, without the need for any action by the Board of Directors, to be paid by the Corporation (and any successor of the Corporation by merger or otherwise) the expenses incurred in connection with defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition (as defined below), such advances to be paid by the Corporation within twenty (20) days after the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from the claimant requesting such advance or advances from time to time; provided that if the DGCL requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not, except to the extent specifically required by applicable law, in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter, the “Undertaking”) by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right of appeal (a “final disposition”) that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Article VI or otherwise.

(c) Procedure. If a claim for indemnification under this Article VI is not paid in full by the Corporation within thirty (30) days after a written claim therefor by a Covered Person has been received by the Corporation, or if a request for advancement of expenses under Section 6.1(b) is not paid in full by the Corporation within twenty (20) days after a statement pursuant to Section 6.1(b) and the required Undertaking, if any, have been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim for indemnification or request for advancement of expenses, as applicable, and, if successful, in whole or in part, the claimant will be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action for indemnification that, under the DGCL, the claimant has not met the standard of conduct which makes it permissible for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, or to a claim for advancement that the claimant is not entitled to the requested advancement of expenses, but (except where the required Undertaking, if any, has not been tendered to the Corporation) the burden of proving such defense will be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Disinterested Directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Disinterested Directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

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Section 6.2. Contract Rights; Amendment and Repeal; Non-Exclusivity of Rights.

(a) All of the rights conferred in this Article VI, as to indemnification, advancement of expenses and otherwise, shall be contract rights between the Corporation and each Covered Person to whom such rights are extended that vest at the commencement of such Covered Person’s service to or at the request of the Corporation and (i) any amendment or modification of this Article VI that in any way diminishes or adversely affects any such rights shall be prospective only and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any such rights with respect to such person; and (ii) all of such rights shall continue as to any such Covered Person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation or ceased to serve at the Corporation’s request as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, as described herein, and shall inure to the benefit of such Covered Person’s heirs, executors and administrators.

(b) All of the rights conferred in this Article VI, as to indemnification, advancement of expenses and otherwise shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. No amendment, modification or repeal of this Article VI shall adversely affect any right or protection of a person that exists at the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.

Section 6.3. Insurance, Other Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.

(a) The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any current or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

(b) Without limiting the provisions of Section 6.1(a) or (b), the Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chair of the Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification and rights to advancement of expenses incurred in connection with any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition, to any current or former officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

Section 6.4. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article VI shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Article VI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Article VI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

Section 6.5. Officer Definition. For purposes of this Article VI, “officer” shall mean any person elected or appointed as an officer of the Corporation by the Board of Directors.

 

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ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 7.1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on the Sunday closest to, and after, the end of the calendar year and shall begin on the Monday following that Sunday.

Section 7.2. 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 7.3. Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its incorporation and the words “Corporate Seal” and “Delaware.” The form of such seal shall be subject to alteration by the Board of Directors. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or reproduced or may be used in any other lawful manner.

Section 7.4. Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder or director of the Corporation under the provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual or special meeting of the stockholders or the Board of Directors or committee thereof need be specified in any waiver of notice of such meeting.

Section 7.5. Audits. The accounts, books and records of the Corporation shall be audited upon the conclusion of each fiscal year by an independent certified public accountant selected by the Board of Directors.

Section 7.6. Resignations. Any director or any officer, whether elected or appointed, may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Chair of the Board of Directors or the Secretary, and such resignation shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the date said notice is received by the Chair of the Board of Directors or the Secretary, or at such later time as is specified therein. Except to the extent specified in such notice, no formal action shall be required of the Board of Directors or the stockholders to make any such resignation effective.

Section 7.7. Reliance on Reports and Experts. To the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, a member of the Board of Directors, or a member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors, shall, in the performance of such member’s duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors, or by any other person as to matters the member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

 

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Section 7.8. Definitions. For purposes of these Bylaws:

(i) “affiliate” and “associate” shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in Rule 405 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that the term “partner” as used in the definition of “associate” shall not include any limited partner that is not involved in the management of the relevant partnership.

(ii) “Principal Competitor” means any entity that the Board of Directors has determined, in good faith, provides products or services that compete with or are alternatives to the principal products produced or services provided by the Corporation or its affiliates, a list of which will be provided by the Corporation to a stockholder of record within ten (10) days following a request therefor.

(ii) “Beneficially Own” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.

(iii) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to the matter in respect of which indemnification is sought by the claimant.

(iv) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a person admitted to practice law in any State of the United States, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past three years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Corporation or the claimant in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to serving as Independent Counsel (or similar independent legal counsel position) as to matters concerning the rights of claimant under any indemnification agreement between the claimant and the Corporation (if any), the rights of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements, or the rights of the claimant or other indemnitees to indemnification under the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any law firm or person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Corporation or the claimant in an action to determine the claimant’s rights under these Bylaws.

(v) “Public Announcement” means disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the SEC pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(vi) “Separation Agreement” means the Separation Agreement, dated April 11, 2024, by and between Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. and the Corporation in the form attached to the Certificate of Incorporation as Exhibit A; provided that, from and after a Trigger Event, references herein to the Separation Agreement shall have the meaning provided by Section 6.9 of the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

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(vii) “Trigger Event” shall have the meaning provided by Section 6.9 of Certificate of Incorporation.

(viii) “SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

(ix) “Southwest Gas Holdings” means Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, any and all successors to Southwest Gas Holdings by way of merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of its assets or equity, and any and all corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies, associations and other entities (i) in which Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock, voting power, partnership interests or similar ownership interests, (ii) of which Southwest Gas Holdings otherwise directly or indirectly controls or directs the policies or operations or (iii) that would be considered subsidiaries of Southwest Gas Holdings within the meaning of Regulation S-K or Regulation S-X of the general rules and regulations under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”); provided, however, that the term “Southwest Gas Holdings” shall not include the Corporation or any entities (i) in which the Corporation owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock, voting power, partnership interests or similar ownership interests, (ii) of which the Corporation otherwise directly or indirectly controls or directs the policies or operations or (iii) that would be considered subsidiaries of the Corporation within the meaning of Regulation S-K or Regulation S-X of the general rules and regulations under the Securities Act.

(x) “Voting Stock” means the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally for the election of directors.

ARTICLE VIII

CONTRACTS, PROXIES

Section 8.8. Contracts. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any contracts or other instruments may be executed and delivered in the name and on behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board of Directors may determine. The Chief Executive Officer or the President of the Corporation may execute bonds, contracts, deeds, leases and other instruments to be made or executed by or on behalf of the Corporation. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President of the Corporation may delegate contractual powers to others under his or her jurisdiction, it being understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power.

Section 8.9. Proxies. Unless otherwise provided by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President may from time to time appoint an attorney or attorneys or agent or agents of the Corporation, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to cast the votes which the Corporation may be entitled to cast as the holder of stock or other securities in any other corporation or entity, any of whose stock or other securities may be held by the Corporation, at meetings of the holders

 

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of the stock or other securities of such other corporation or entity, or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such other corporation or entity, and may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of casting such votes or giving such consent, and may execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and under its corporate seal or otherwise, all such written proxies or other instruments as he or she may deem necessary or proper in the premises.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

Section 9.1. Amendment.

(a) By the Stockholders. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, or new Bylaws enacted, at any special meeting of the stockholders if duly called for that purpose (provided that in the notice of such special meeting, notice of such purpose shall be given), or at any annual meeting, by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares representing at least two-thirds of the voting power of the shares of capital stock entitled to vote thereon, voting as a single class.

(b) By the Board of Directors. Subject to the laws of the State of Delaware and the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized and empowered to adopt, amend, alter, change or repeal these Bylaws.

ARTICLE X

CONSTRUCTION

Section 10.1. Construction. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of these Bylaws as in effect from time to time and the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the provisions of such Certificate of Incorporation shall be controlling.

 

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