Exhibit 4.1

 




 

TRANSMONTAIGNE PARTNERS L.P.
 AND
 TLP FINANCE CORP.

 




 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of                       , 20   

 




 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

Trustee

 




 











 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE I. - DEFINITIONS AND   INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
    	
1
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 1.1.
    	
Definitions
    	
1
    
	
Section 1.2.
    	
Other Definitions
    	
5
    
	
Section 1.3.
    	
Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act
    	
5
    
	
Section 1.4.
    	
Rules of Construction
    	
6
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE II. THE SECURITIES
    	
6
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 2.1.
    	
Issuable in Series
    	
6
    
	
Section 2.2.
    	
Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities
    	
7
    
	
Section 2.3.
    	
Execution and Authentication
    	
9
    
	
Section 2.4.
    	
Registrar and Paying Agent
    	
10
    
	
Section 2.5.
    	
Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust
    	
11
    
	
Section 2.6.
    	
Securityholder Lists
    	
11
    
	
Section 2.7.
    	
Transfer and Exchange
    	
11
    
	
Section 2.8.
    	
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities
    	
12
    
	
Section 2.9.
    	
Outstanding Securities
    	
12
    
	
Section 2.10.
    	
Treasury Securities
    	
13
    
	
Section 2.11.
    	
Temporary Securities
    	
13
    
	
Section 2.12.
    	
Cancellation
    	
13
    
	
Section 2.13.
    	
Defaulted Interest
    	
14
    
	
Section 2.14.
    	
Global Securities
    	
14
    
	
Section 2.15.
    	
CUSIP Numbers
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE III. REDEMPTION
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 3.1.
    	
Notice to Trustee
    	
15
    
	
Section 3.2.
    	
Selection of Securities to be Redeemed
    	
15
    
	
Section 3.3.
    	
Notice of Redemption
    	
16
    
	
Section 3.4.
    	
Effect of Notice of Redemption
    	
17
    
	
Section 3.5.
    	
Deposit of Redemption Price
    	
17
    
	
Section 3.6.
    	
Securities Redeemed in Part
    	
17
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IV. COVENANTS
    	
17
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 4.1.
    	
Payment of Principal and Interest
    	
17
    
	
Section 4.2.
    	
SEC Reports
    	
17
    
	
Section 4.3.
    	
Compliance Certificate
    	
18
    
	
Section 4.4.
    	
Stay, Extension and Usury Laws
    	
18
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE V. SUCCESSORS
    	
18
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 5.1.
    	
When Issuers May Merge, Etc.
    	
18
    
	
Section 5.2.
    	
Successor Corporation Substituted
    	
19
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VI. DEFAULTS AND   REMEDIES
    	
19
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 6.1.
    	
Events of Default
    	
19
    


 

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Section 6.2.
    	
Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment
    	
21
    
	
Section 6.3.
    	
Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by   Trustee
    	
21
    
	
Section 6.4.
    	
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim
    	
22
    
	
Section 6.5.
    	
Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of   Securities
    	
23
    
	
Section 6.6.
    	
Application of Money Collected
    	
23
    
	
Section 6.7.
    	
Limitation on Suits
    	
23
    
	
Section 6.8.
    	
Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and   Interest
    	
24
    
	
Section 6.9.
    	
Restoration of Rights and Remedies
    	
24
    
	
Section 6.10.
    	
Rights and Remedies Cumulative
    	
24
    
	
Section 6.11.
    	
Delay or Omission Not Waiver
    	
24
    
	
Section 6.12.
    	
Control by Holders
    	
25
    
	
Section 6.13.
    	
Waiver of Past Defaults
    	
25
    
	
Section 6.14.
    	
Undertaking for Costs
    	
25
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VII. TRUSTEE
    	
26
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 7.1.
    	
Duties of Trustee
    	
26
    
	
Section 7.2.
    	
Rights of Trustee
    	
27
    
	
Section 7.3.
    	
Individual Rights of Trustee
    	
28
    
	
Section 7.4.
    	
Trustee’s Disclaimer
    	
28
    
	
Section 7.5.
    	
Notice of Defaults
    	
28
    
	
Section 7.6.
    	
Reports by Trustee to Holders
    	
29
    
	
Section 7.7.
    	
Compensation and Indemnity
    	
29
    
	
Section 7.8.
    	
Replacement of Trustee
    	
30
    
	
Section 7.9.
    	
Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.
    	
31
    
	
Section 7.10.
    	
Eligibility; Disqualification
    	
31
    
	
Section 7.11.
    	
Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company
    	
31
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VIII. SATISFACTION   AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
    	
31
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 8.1.
    	
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture
    	
31
    
	
Section 8.2.
    	
Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification
    	
32
    
	
Section 8.3.
    	
Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series
    	
33
    
	
Section 8.4.
    	
Covenant Defeasance
    	
34
    
	
Section 8.5.
    	
Repayment to the Issuers
    	
35
    
	
Section 8.6.
    	
Reinstatement
    	
36
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS AND   WAIVERS
    	
36
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 9.1.
    	
Without Consent of Holders
    	
36
    
	
Section 9.2.
    	
With Consent of Holders
    	
37
    
	
Section 9.3.
    	
Limitations
    	
37
    
	
Section 9.4.
    	
Compliance with Trust Indenture Act
    	
38
    
	
Section 9.5.
    	
Revocation and Effect of Consents
    	
38
    
	
Section 9.6.
    	
Notation on or Exchange of Securities
    	
38
    
	
Section 9.7.
    	
Trustee Protected
    	
39
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS
    	
39
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 10.1.
    	
Trust Indenture Act Controls
    	
39
    
	
Section 10.2.
    	
Notices
    	
39
    


 

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Section 10.3.
    	
Communication by Holders with Other Holders
    	
41
    
	
Section 10.4.
    	
Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent
    	
41
    
	
Section 10.5.
    	
Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion
    	
41
    
	
Section 10.6.
    	
Rules by Trustee and Agents
    	
41
    
	
Section 10.7.
    	
Legal Holidays
    	
42
    
	
Section 10.8.
    	
No Recourse Against Others
    	
42
    
	
Section 10.9.
    	
Counterparts
    	
42
    
	
Section 10.10.
    	
Governing Law
    	
42
    
	
Section 10.11.
    	
No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements
    	
42
    
	
Section 10.12.
    	
Successors
    	
42
    
	
Section 10.13.
    	
Severability
    	
43
    
	
Section 10.14.
    	
Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.
    	
43
    
	
Section 10.15.
    	
Securities in a Foreign Currency
    	
43
    
	
Section 10.16.
    	
Judgment Currency
    	
43
    
	
Section 10.17.
    	
Force Majeure
    	
44
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE XI. SINKING FUNDS
    	
44
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 11.1.
    	
Applicability of Article
    	
44
    
	
Section 11.2.
    	
Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities
    	
45
    
	
Section 11.3.
    	
Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund
    	
45
    


 

iii











 

TRANSMONTAIGNE PARTNERS L.P.
 AND
 TLP FINANCE CORP.

 

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and
 Indenture, dated as of                         , 20  

 

	
§ 310(a)(1)
    	
 
    	
7.10
    
	
(a)(2)
    	
 
    	
7.10
    
	
(a)(3)
    	
 
    	
Not   Applicable
    
	
(a)(4)
    	
 
    	
Not   Applicable
    
	
(a)(5)
    	
 
    	
7.10
    
	
(b)
    	
 
    	
7.10
    
	
§ 311(a)
    	
 
    	
7.11
    
	
(b)
    	
 
    	
7.11
    
	
(c)
    	
 
    	
Not   Applicable
    
	
§ 312(a)
    	
 
    	
2.6
    
	
(b)
    	
 
    	
10.3
    
	
(c)
    	
 
    	
10.3
    
	
§ 313(a)
    	
 
    	
7.6
    
	
(b)(1)
    	
 
    	
7.6
    
	
(b)(2)
    	
 
    	
7.6
    
	
(c)(1)
    	
 
    	
7.6
    
	
(d)
    	
 
    	
7.6
    
	
§ 314(a)
    	
 
    	
4.2,   10.5
    
	
(b)
    	
 
    	
Not   Applicable
    
	
(c)(1)
    	
 
    	
10.4
    
	
(c)(2)
    	
 
    	
10.4
    
	
(c)(3)
    	
 
    	
Not   Applicable
    
	
(d)
    	
 
    	
Not   Applicable
    
	
(e)
    	
 
    	
10.5
    
	
(f)
    	
 
    	
Not   Applicable
    
	
§ 315(a)
    	
 
    	
7.1
    
	
(b)
    	
 
    	
7.5
    
	
(c)
    	
 
    	
7.1
    
	
(d)
    	
 
    	
7.1
    
	
(e)
    	
 
    	
6.14
    
	
§ 316(a)
    	
 
    	
2.10
    
	
(a)(1)(A)
    	
 
    	
6.12
    
	
(a)(1)(B)
    	
 
    	
6.13
    
	
(b)
    	
 
    	
6.8
    
	
§ 317(a)(1)
    	
 
    	
6.3
    
	
(a)(2)
    	
 
    	
6.4
    
	
(b)
    	
 
    	
2.5
    
	
§ 318(a)
    	
 
    	
10.1
    


 




Note:                  This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.

 

iv











 

Indenture dated as of                     , 20     among TransMontaigne Partners L.P., a limited partnership formed under the laws of Delaware (the “Partnership”), TLP Finance Corp., a company incorporated under the laws of Delaware (“Finance Corp.” and together with the Partnership, the “Issuers”), and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association (“Trustee”).

 

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE I.-
 DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.1.                                 Definitions.

 

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Partnership in respect of certain taxes imposed on Holders specified herein or therein and which are owing to such Holders.

 

“Affiliate” of any specified person means any other person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with such specified person.   For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise.

 

“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Notice Agent.

 

“Board of Directors” means:

 

(1)                                 with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

 

(2)                                 with respect to a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

 

(3)                                 with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and

 

(4)                                 with respect to any other person, the board or committee of such person serving a similar function.

 

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the applicable person to have been adopted by the Board of Directors of such person or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors of such person and to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the Trustee.

 











 

“Business Day” means, unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York, New York (or in connection with any payment, the place of payment) on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

“Capital Stock” means:

 

(1)                                 in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

 

(2)                                 in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

 

(3)                                 in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

 

(4)                                 any other interest or participation that confers on a person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing person.

 

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business related to this Indenture shall be principally administered.

 

“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the person designated as Depositary for such Series by the Partnership, which Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of such Series.

 

“Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.

 

“Dollars” and “$” means the currency of The United States of America.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“Finance Corp.” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor.

 

“Foreign Currency” means any currency or currency unit issued by a government other than the government of The United States of America.

 

2









 

“Foreign Government Obligations” means, with respect to Securities of any Series that are denominated in a Foreign Currency, direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

 

“GAAP” means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect as of the date of determination.

 

“General Partner” means TransMontaigne GP L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns as the general partner of the Partnership.

 

“Global Security” or “Global Securities” means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.2 evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depositary for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depositary or nominee.

 

“Holder” or “Securityholder” means a person in whose name a Security is registered.

 

“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time and shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.

 

“interest” with respect to any Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.

 

“Issuer Order” means a written order signed in the name of each Issuer by an Officer.

 

“Issuers” means the Partnership and Finance Corp.

 

“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

 

“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chief Executive Officer, President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, and any Vice President of such person or, in the case of the Partnership, its General Partner.

 

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by any Officer.

 

3











 

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee.  The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership.

 

“Partnership” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor.

 

“person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

“principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.

 

“Responsible Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office having responsibility for administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject.

 

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Securities” means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Issuers of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

 

“Series” or “Series of Securities” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Issuers created pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 hereof.

 

“Stated Maturity” when used with respect to any Security, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or interest is due and payable.

 

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified person:

 

(1)                                 any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of Capital Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that person (or a combination thereof); and

 

(2)                                 any partnership (whether general or limited) or limited liability company (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner or managing member of which is such person or a Subsidiary of such person, or (b) if there is more than a single general partner or member, either (x) the only general partners or managing members of which are such person or one or more Subsidiaries of such person (or any combination thereof) or (y) such person owns or controls, directly or indirectly, a majority of the outstanding general partner interests, member interests or other Capital Stock of such partnership or limited liability company, respectively.

 

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture

 

4











 

Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.

 

“Trustee” means the person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.

 

“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities which are direct obligations of, or guaranteed by, The United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

 

Section 1.2.                                 Other Definitions.

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
DEFINED IN
    
	
TERM
    	
 
    	
SECTION
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
“Bankruptcy Law”
    	
 
    	
6.1
    
	
“Custodian”
    	
 
    	
6.1
    
	
“Event of Default”
    	
 
    	
6.1
    
	
“Judgment Currency”
    	
 
    	
10.16
    
	
“Legal Holiday”
    	
 
    	
10.7
    
	
“mandatory sinking fund payment”
    	
 
    	
11.1
    
	
“Market Exchange Rate”
    	
 
    	
10.15
    
	
“New York Banking Day”
    	
 
    	
10.16
    
	
“Notice Agent”
    	
 
    	
2.4
    
	
“optional sinking fund payment”
    	
 
    	
11.1
    
	
“Paying Agent”
    	
 
    	
2.4
    
	
“Registrar”
    	
 
    	
2.4
    
	
“Required Currency”
    	
 
    	
10.16
    
	
“successor person”
    	
 
    	
5.1
    


 

Section 1.3.                                 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.  The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

“Commission” means the SEC.

 

5











 

“indenture securities” means the Securities.

 

“indenture security holder” means a Securityholder.

 

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

 

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

 

“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Issuers and any successor obligor upon the Securities.

 

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.

 

Section 1.4.                                 Rules of Construction.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)                                 a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

(b)                                 an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

(c)                                  “or” is not exclusive;

 

(d)                                 words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular; and

 

(e)                                  provisions apply to successive events and transactions.

 

ARTICLE II.
 THE SECURITIES

 

Section 2.1.                                 Issuable in Series.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.  The Securities may be issued in one or more Series. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution of each Issuer, a supplemental indenture or an Officer’s Certificate of each Issuer detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, such Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined.  Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters, provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

 

6











 

Section 2.2.                                 Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities.

 

At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Subsection 2.2.1 and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Subsections 2.2.2 through 2.2.24) by or pursuant to a Board Resolution of each Issuer, and set forth or determined in the manner provided in such Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate of each Issuer:

 

2.2.1.                                          the title (which shall distinguish the Securities of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series) and ranking (including the terms of any subordination provisions) of the Series;

 

2.2.2.                                          the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;

 

2.2.3.                                          any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant to Section 2.7, 2.8, 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6);

 

2.2.4.                                          the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;

 

2.2.5.                                          the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

2.2.6.                                          the place or places where the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series shall be payable, where the Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be delivered, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;

 

2.2.7.                                          if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuers;

 

2.2.8.                                          the obligation, if any, of the Issuers to redeem or purchase the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

7











 

2.2.9.                                          the dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the Series will be repurchased by the Issuers at the option of the Holders thereof and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;

 

2.2.10.                                   if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;

 

2.2.11.                                   the forms of the Securities of the Series and whether the Securities will be issuable as Global Securities;

 

2.2.12.                                   if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2;

 

2.2.13.                                   the currency of denomination of the Securities of the Series, which may be Dollars or any Foreign Currency, and if such currency of denomination is a composite currency, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;

 

2.2.14.                                   the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be made;

 

2.2.15.                                   if payments of principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series are to be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments will be determined;

 

2.2.16.                                   the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be determined, if such amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;

 

2.2.17.                                   the provisions, if any, relating to any security provided for the Securities of the Series;

 

2.2.18.                                   any addition to, deletion of or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.2;

 

2.2.19.                                   any addition to, deletion of or change in the covenants set forth in Articles IV or V which applies to Securities of the Series;

 

2.2.20.                                   any Depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such Series if other than those appointed herein;

 

2.2.21.                                   the provisions, if any, relating to conversion or exchange of any Securities of such Series, including if applicable, the conversion or exchange price, the

 

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conversion or exchange period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, at the option of the Holders thereof or at the option of the Issuers, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange if such Series of Securities are redeemed;

 

2.2.22.                                   any other terms of the Series (which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such Series), including any terms that may be required under applicable law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of Securities of that Series;

 

2.2.23.                                   whether any of the Partnership’s direct or indirect Subsidiaries will guarantee the Securities of that Series, including the terms of subordination, if any, of such guarantees; and

 

2.2.24.                                   whether Finance Corp. will act as a co-issuer of the Securities of the Series.

 

All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate referred to above.

 

Section 2.3.                                 Execution and Authentication.

 

An Officer shall sign the Securities for each Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.

 

A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual or facsimile  signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.  The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of an Issuer Order.  Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2, except as provided in Section 2.8.

 

Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.2) shall be fully protected in relying on:  (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of

 

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Securities within that Series, (b) an Officer’s Certificate of each Issuer complying with Section 10.4, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.4.

 

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of such Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not be taken lawfully; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or vice-presidents or a committee of Responsible Officers shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any then outstanding Series of Securities.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuers to authenticate Securities.  An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent.  An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Issuers or any Affiliate of the Issuers.

 

Section 2.4.                                 Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

The Issuers shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.2, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented or surrendered for payment (“Paying Agent”), where Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be delivered (“Notice Agent”).  The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange.  The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar, Paying Agent or Notice Agent.  If at any time the Issuers shall fail to maintain any such required Registrar, Paying Agent or Notice Agent or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the name and address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Issuers hereby appoint the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

The Issuers may also from time to time designate one or more co-registrars, additional paying agents or additional notice agents and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuers of their obligations to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and Notice Agent in each place so specified pursuant to Section 2.2 for Securities of any Series for such purposes.  The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar, additional paying agent or additional notice agent.  The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar; the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent; and the term “Notice Agent” includes any additional notice agent.  The Issuers or any of their Affiliates may serve as Registrar or Paying Agent.

 

The Issuers hereby appoint the Trustee the initial Registrar, Paying Agent and Notice Agent for each Series unless another Registrar, Paying Agent or Notice Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued.

 

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Section 2.5.                                 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

 

The Issuers shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Issuers in making any such payment.  While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.  The Issuers at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.  Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Partnership or a Subsidiary of the Partnership) shall have no further liability for the money.  If the Partnership or a Subsidiary of the Partnership acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent.  Upon any bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding with respect to the Issuers, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Securities.

 

Section 2.6.                                 Securityholder Lists.

 

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with TIA  § 312(a).  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee at least ten days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities.

 

Section 2.7.                                 Transfer and Exchange.

 

Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met.  To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request.  No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6).

 

Neither the Issuers nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business fifteen days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.

 

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Section 2.8.                                 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

 

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

If there shall be delivered to the Issuers and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity bond as may be required by each of them to hold itself and any of its agents harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Issuers or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Issuers shall execute and upon their request the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuers in their discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

 

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Issuers may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

 

Every new Security of any Series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Issuers, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder.

 

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

 

Section 2.9.                                 Outstanding Securities.

 

The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding.

 

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.8, it ceases to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

 

If the Paying Agent (other than the Partnership, a Subsidiary of the Partnership or an Affiliate of the Partnership) holds on the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to

 

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pay such Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

 

The Issuers may purchase or otherwise acquire the Securities, whether by open market purchases, negotiated transactions or otherwise.  A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuers or an Affiliate of the Issuers holds the Security (but see Section 2.10 below).

 

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.

 

Section 2.10.                          Treasury Securities.

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, Securities of a Series owned by the Issuers or any Affiliate of the Issuers shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver only Securities of a Series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

Section 2.11.                          Temporary Securities.

 

Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Issuers may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities upon an Issuer Order.  Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Issuers consider appropriate for temporary Securities.  Without unreasonable delay, the Issuers shall prepare and the Trustee upon receipt of an Issuer Order shall authenticate definitive Securities of the same Series and date of maturity in exchange for temporary Securities.  Until so exchanged, temporary securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as the definitive Securities.

 

Section 2.12.                          Cancellation.

 

The Issuers at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation.  The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment.  The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall destroy such canceled Securities (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act and the Trustee) and deliver a certificate of such cancellation to the Issuers upon written request of the Issuers.  The Issuers may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that they have paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

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Section 2.13.                          Defaulted Interest.

 

If the Issuers default in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, they shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the persons who are Securityholders of the Series on a subsequent special record date.  The Issuers shall fix the record date and payment date.  At least 10 days before the special record date, the Issuers shall mail to the Trustee and to each Securityholder of the Series a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of interest to be paid.  The Issuers may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.

 

Section 2.14.                          Global Securities.

 

2.14.1.                                   Terms of Securities.  A Board Resolution of each Issuer, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate of each Issuer shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.

 

2.14.2.                                   Transfer and Exchange.  Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.7 of the Indenture and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depositary for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depositary notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time such Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Issuers fail to appoint a successor Depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event or (ii) the Issuers execute and deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable.  Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.

 

Except as provided in this Section 2.14.2, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary, by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such a successor Depositary.

 

2.14.3.                                   Legend.  Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary.  This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the

 

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Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such a successor Depositary.”

 

2.14.4.                                   Acts of Holders.  The Depositary, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.

 

2.14.5.                                   Payments.  Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.2, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof.

 

2.14.6.                                   Consents, Declaration and Directions.  The Issuers, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities of such Series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depositary or by the applicable procedures of such Depositary with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Section 2.15.                          CUSIP Numbers.

 

The Issuers in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.

 

ARTICLE III.
 REDEMPTION

 

Section 3.1.                                 Notice to Trustee.

 

The Issuers may, with respect to any Series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities.  If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Issuers want or are obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the redemption date and the principal amount of Series of Securities to be redeemed.  The Issuers shall give the notice at least 15 days before the redemption date, unless a shorter period is satisfactory to the Trustee.

 

Section 3.2.                                 Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.

 

Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate, if less than all the Securities of a Series

 

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are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities of the Series to be redeemed in any manner that the Trustee deems fair and appropriate, including by lot or other method, unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange requirements, subject, in the case of Global Securities, to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary.  The Trustee shall make the selection from Securities of the Series outstanding not previously called for redemption.  The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities of the Series that have denominations larger than $1,000.  Securities of the Series and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 or, with respect to Securities of any Series issuable in other denominations pursuant to Section 2.2.10, the minimum principal denomination for each Series and the authorized integral multiples thereof.  Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of a Series called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities of that Series called for redemption.

 

Section 3.3.                                 Notice of Redemption.

 

Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate, at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Trustee shall mail a notice of redemption for physical Holders by first-class mail to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed, and via electronic mail for DTC book-entry registered Holders.

 

The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:

 

(a)                                 the redemption date;

 

(b)                                 the redemption price;

 

(c)                                  the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(d)                                 if any Securities are being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Securities to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date and upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Security shall be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Security;

 

(e)                                  that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

 

(f)                                   that interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date unless the Issuers default in the deposit of the redemption price;

 

(g)                                  the CUSIP number, if any; and

 

(h)                                 any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.

 

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At the Issuers’ request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuers’ names and at their expense, provided, however, that the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee, at least 15 days (unless a shorter time shall be acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the notice date, an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice.

 

Section 3.4.                                 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

 

Once notice of redemption is mailed as provided in Section 3.3, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price.  Except as otherwise provided in the supplemental indenture, Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate for a Series, a notice of redemption may not be conditional.  Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

 

Section 3.5.                                 Deposit of Redemption Price.

 

On or before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.

 

Section 3.6.                                 Securities Redeemed in Part.

 

Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same maturity equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

 

ARTICLE IV.
 COVENANTS

 

Section 4.1.                                 Payment of Principal and Interest.

 

The Issuers covenant and agree for the benefit of the Holders of each Series of Securities that they will duly and punctually pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of that Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.  On or before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the applicable payment date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of each Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.

 

Section 4.2.                                 SEC Reports.

 

To the extent any Securities of a Series are outstanding, the Partnership shall deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the SEC copies of the annual and quarterly reports and of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Partnership is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  The Partnership also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA § 314(a). Reports, information and documents

 

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filed with the SEC via the EDGAR system will be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time of such filing via EDGAR for purposes of this Section 4.2.

 

Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under this Section 4.2 are for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive or actual notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Partnership’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

 

Section 4.3.                                 Compliance Certificate.

 

To the extent any Securities of a Series are outstanding, the Partnership shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Partnership, an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Partnership has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his/her knowledge the Partnership has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which the Officer may have knowledge).

 

The Partnership will, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, promptly upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Partnership is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

Section 4.4.                                 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

 

The Issuers covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that they will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities; and the Issuers (to the extent they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that they will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

ARTICLE V.
 SUCCESSORS

 

Section 5.1.                                 When Issuers May Merge, Etc.

 

Neither of the Issuers shall consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, any person (a “successor person”) unless:

 

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(a)                                 such Issuer is the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than such Issuer) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes such Issuer’s obligations on the Securities and under this Indenture, provided  that, if Finance Corp. is a co-issuer, then it may not merge or consolidate with or into another entity other than a corporation satisfying such requirement for so long as the Partnership is not a corporation; and

 

(b)                                 immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

The Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officer’s Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and any supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.

 

Notwithstanding the above, any Subsidiary of the Partnership may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to the Partnership. Neither an Officer’s Certificate nor an Opinion of Counsel shall be required to be delivered in connection therewith.

 

Section 5.2.                                 Successor Corporation Substituted.

 

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of either Issuer in accordance with Section 5.1, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which such Issuer is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, such Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor person has been named as such Issuer herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Issuer in the case of a sale, conveyance or other disposition (other than a lease) shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

 

ARTICLE VI.
 DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.1.                                 Events of Default.

 

“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:

 

(a)                                 default in the payment of any interest on any Security of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Issuers with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to 11:00 a.m., New  York City time, on the 30th day of such period); or

 

(b)                                 default in the payment of principal of any Security of that Series at its Maturity; or

 

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(c)                                  default in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty of the Issuers in this Indenture (other than defaults pursuant to paragraphs (a) or (b) above or pursuant to a covenant or warranty that has been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of Series of Securities other than that Series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Issuers by the Trustee or to the Issuers and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

 

(d)                                 either Issuer pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(i)                                     commences a voluntary case,

 

(ii)                                  consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

 

(iii)                               consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

 

(iv)                              makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

 

(v)                                 generally is unable to pay its debts as the same become due; or

 

(e)                                  a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(i)                                     is for relief against an Issuer in an involuntary case,

 

(ii)                                  appoints a Custodian of an Issuer or for all or substantially all of its property, or

 

(iii)                               orders the liquidation of an Issuer,

 

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or

 

(f)                                   any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.2.18.

 

The term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors.  The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

The Company will provide the Trustee written of notice of any Default or Event of Default within 30 days of becoming aware of the occurrence of such Default or Event of Default, which notice will describe in reasonable detail the status of such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take in respect thereof.

 

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Section 6.2.                                 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

 

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default referred to in Section 6.1(d) or (e)) then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series may declare the principal amount (or, if any Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Securities of that Series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Issuers (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall become immediately due and payable.  If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(d) or (e) shall occur, the principal amount (or specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding Securities shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

 

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to any Series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series, by written notice to the Issuers and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that Series, other than the non-payment of the principal and interest, if any, of Securities of that Series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.13.

 

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 6.3.                                 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

 

The Issuers covenant that if

 

(a)                                 default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

 

(b)                                 default is made in the payment of principal of any Security at the Maturity thereof, or

 

(c)                                  default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, if any, when and as due by the terms of a Security,

 

then, the Issuers will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and any overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

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If the Issuers fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Issuers or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or deemed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuers or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

 

If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such Series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

 

Section 6.4.                                 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

 

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of any Issuer or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Issuers for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

 

(a)                                 to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

 

(b)                                 to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same,

 

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.

 

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

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Section 6.5.                                 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

 

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

 

Section 6.6.                                 Application of Money Collected.

 

Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money or property on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

First:                                                                     To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7; and

 

Second:                                                    To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and

 

Third:                                                               To the Issuers.

 

Section 6.7.                                 Limitation on Suits.

 

No Holder of any Security of any Series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

 

(a)                                 such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that Series;

 

(b)                                 the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

 

(c)                                  such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by the Trustee in compliance with such request;

 

(d)                                 the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

 

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(e)                                  no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series;

 

it being understood, intended and expressly covenanted by the Holder of every Security with every other Holder and the Trustee that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders of the applicable Series.

 

Section 6.8.                                 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on such Security on the Maturity of such Security, including the Stated Maturity expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

 

Section 6.9.                                 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

 

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Issuers, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

Section 6.10.                          Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

 

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.8, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

Section 6.11.                          Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

 

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.  Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from

 

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time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

 

Section 6.12.                          Control by Holders.

 

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that

 

(a)                                 such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

 

(b)                                 the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction,

 

(c)                                  subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability, and

 

(d)                                 prior to taking any action as directed under this Section 6.12, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

Section 6.13.                          Waiver of Past Defaults.

 

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such Series waive any past Default hereunder with respect to such Series and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of such Series (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration).  Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 6.14.                          Undertaking for Costs.

 

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the

 

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Issuers, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security on or after the Maturity of such Security, including the Stated Maturity expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).

 

ARTICLE VII.
 TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.1.                                 Duties of Trustee.

 

(a)                                 If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

(b)                                 Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(i)                                     The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others.

 

(ii)                                  In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon Officer’s Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in the case of any such Officer’s Certificates or Opinions of Counsel which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such Officer’s Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform to the form requirements of this Indenture.

 

(c)                                  The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(i)                                     This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.

 

(ii)                                  The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

 

(iii)                               The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities of any Series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this

 

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Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series in accordance with Section 6.12.

 

(d)                                 Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraph (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

 

(e)                                  The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in performing such duty or exercising such right or power.

 

(f)                                   The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuers.  Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

(g)                                  No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if adequate indemnity against such risk is not assured to the Trustee in its satisfaction.

 

(h)                                 The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections and immunities as are set forth in paragraphs (e), (f) and (g) of this Section and in Section 7.2, each with respect to the Trustee.

 

Section 7.2.                                 Rights of Trustee.

 

(a)                                 The Trustee may rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person.  The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

(b)                                 Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both.  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

 

(c)                                  The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.  No Depositary shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any Depositary.

 

(d)                                 The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers, provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.

 

(e)                                  The Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder without willful misconduct or negligence, and in reliance thereon.

 

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(f)                                   The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

(g)                                  The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

 

(h)                                 The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities generally or the Securities of a particular Series and this Indenture.

 

(i)                                     In no event shall the Trustee be liable to any person for special, punitive, indirect, consequential or incidental loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage.

 

(j)                                    The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so.

 

Section 7.3.                                 Individual Rights of Trustee.

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or any Affiliate of the Issuers with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  Any Agent may do the same with like rights.  The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

Section 7.4.                                 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

 

The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers’ use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its authentication.

 

Section 7.5.                                 Notice of Defaults.

 

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series and if it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default.  Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security of any Series, the Trustee may

 

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withhold the notice if and so long as its corporate trust committee or a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders of that Series.

 

Section 7.6.                                 Reports by Trustee to Holders.

 

Within 60 days after each anniversary of the date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar, a brief report dated as of such anniversary date, in accordance with, and to the extent required under, TIA § 313.

 

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders of any Series shall be filed with the SEC and each national securities exchange on which the Securities of that Series are listed.  The Issuers shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing when Securities of any Series are listed on any national securities exchange.

 

Section 7.7.                                 Compensation and Indemnity.

 

The Issuers shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for its services as the Issuers and the Trustee shall from time to time agree upon in writing.  The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust.  The Issuers shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by it.  Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

The Issuers shall indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (including the cost of defending itself) against any cost, expense or liability, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it except as set forth in the next paragraph in the performance of its duties under this Indenture as Trustee or Agent.  The Trustee shall notify the Issuers promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity.  Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuers are not relieve the Issuers of their obligations hereunder, unless and to the extent that the Issuers are materially prejudiced thereby.  The Issuers shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense.  The Trustee may have one separate counsel and the Issuer shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel.  The Issuers need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.  This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee.

 

The Issuers need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee through willful misconduct or negligence.

 

To secure the Issuers’ payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities of that Series.

 

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When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(d) or (e) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

 

Section 7.8.                                 Replacement of Trustee.

 

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.

 

The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more Series by so notifying the Issuers at least 30 days prior to the date of the proposed resignation.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuers.  The Issuers may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:

 

(a)                                 the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

 

(b)                                 the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(c)                                  a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(d)                                 the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.  Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers.

 

If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuers or the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers.  Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture.  A successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to each Securityholder of each such Series.  Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Issuers’ obligations under Section 7.7 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee with respect to expenses and liabilities incurred by

 

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it for actions taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with its rights, powers and duties under this Indenture prior to such replacement.

 

Section 7.9.                                 Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.

 

If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee, subject to Section 7.10.

 

Section 7.10.                          Eligibility; Disqualification.

 

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1), (2) and (5).  The Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus of at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.  The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b).

 

Section 7.11.                          Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

 

The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b).  A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated.

 

ARTICLE VIII.

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

 

Section 8.1.                                 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

 

This Indenture shall upon Issuer Order cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.1), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when

 

(a)                                 either

 

(i)                                     all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(ii)                                  all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

 

(1)                                 have become due and payable, or

 

(2)                                 will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

(3)                                 have been called for redemption or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee

 

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for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers, or

 

(4)                                 are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to Section 8.3, as applicable;

 

and the Issuers, in the case of (1), (2) or (3) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount of money or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable on or prior to the date of such deposit) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;

 

(b)                                 the Issuers have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuers; and

 

(c)                                  the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

 

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Issuers to the Trustee under Section 7.7, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.2 and  8.5 shall survive.

 

Section 8.2.                                 Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification.

 

(a)                                 Subject to the provisions of Section 8.5, all money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.1, all money and U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Partnership acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the persons entitled thereto, of the principal and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or to make mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments as contemplated by Sections 8.3 or 8.4.

 

(b)                                 The Issuers shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Sections 8.3 or 8.4 or the interest and principal received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders.

 

(c)                                  The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon Issuer Order any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or

 

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money held by it as provided in Sections 8.3 or 8.4 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants or investment bank expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money were deposited or received.  This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held under this Indenture.

 

Section 8.3.                                 Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series.

 

Unless this Section 8.3 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section 2.2, to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Issuers shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the outstanding Securities of any Series on the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (d) hereof, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such outstanding Securities of such Series, shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuers, shall, upon receipt of a an Issuer Order, execute instruments acknowledging the same), except as to:

 

(a)                                 the rights of Holders of Securities of such Series to receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (d) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of and each installment of principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such Series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such Series;

 

(b)                                 the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.2, 8.3 and 8.5; and

 

(c)                                  the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuers’ obligations in connection therewith;

 

provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

 

(d)                                 the Issuers shall have deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each

 

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installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;

 

(e)                                  such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which either Issuer is a party or by which it is bound;

 

(f)                                   no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date;

 

(g)                                  the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;

 

(h)                                 the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Issuers; and

 

(i)                                     the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

 

Section 8.4.                                 Covenant Defeasance.

 

Unless this Section 8.4 is otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.2 to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Issuers may omit to comply with respect to the Securities of any Series with any term, provision or condition set forth under Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 and 5.1 as well as any additional covenants specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 (and the failure to comply with any such covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to such Series under Section 6.1) and the occurrence of any event specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2.18 and designated as an Event of Default shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

 

(a)                                 With reference to this Section 8.4, the Issuers have deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments specifically pledged as

 

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security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants or investment bank expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;

 

(b)                                 Such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which either Issuer is a party or by which it is bound;

 

(c)                                  No Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

 

(d)                                 The Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance had not occurred;

 

(e)                                  The Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Issuers; and

 

(f)                                   The Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the covenant defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

 

Section 8.5.                                 Repayment to the Issuers.

 

Subject to applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Issuers upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal and interest that remains unclaimed for two years.  After that, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Issuers for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another person.

 

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Section 8.6.                                 Reinstatement.

 

If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money deposited with respect to Securities of any Series in accordance with Section 8.1 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the obligations of the Issuers under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series and under the Securities of such Series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.1 until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.1; provided, however, that if the Issuers have made any payment of principal of or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent after payment in full to the Holders.

 

ARTICLE IX.

AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

Section 9.1.                                 Without Consent of Holders.

 

The Issuers and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any Securityholder:

 

(a)                                 to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

(b)                                 to comply with Article V;

 

(c)                                  to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;

 

(d)                                 to add guarantees with respect to Securities of any Series or secure Securities of any Series;

 

(e)                                  to surrender any of the Issuers’ rights or powers under this Indenture;

 

(f)                                   to add covenants or events of default for the benefit of the holders of Securities of any Series;

 

(g)                                  to comply with the applicable procedures of the applicable depositary;

 

(h)                                 to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder;

 

(i)                                     to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted by this Indenture;

 

(j)                                    to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series and to add to or

 

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change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or

 

(k)                                 to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

 

Section 9.2.                                 With Consent of Holders.

 

The Issuers and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series), for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Securityholders of each such Series.  Except as provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series by notice to the Trustee (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the Issuers with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to such Series.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.  After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this section becomes effective, the Issuers shall mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby, a notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver.  Any failure by the Issuers to mail or publish such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.

 

Section 9.3.                                 Limitations.

 

Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:

 

(a)                                 reduce the principal amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(b)                                 reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any Security;

 

(c)                                  reduce the principal or change the Stated Maturity of any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;

 

(d)                                 reduce the principal amount of Discount Securities payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;

 

(e)                                  waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities of

 

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any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

(f)                                   make the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security payable in any currency other than that stated in the Security;

 

(g)                                  make any change in Sections 6.8, 6.13 or 9.3 (this sentence); or

 

(h)                                 waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security, provided that such redemption is made at the Issuers’ option.

 

Section 9.4.                                 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

 

Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

 

Section 9.5.                                 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

 

Until an amendment is set forth in a supplemental indenture or a waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security.  However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date of the supplemental indenture or the date the waiver becomes effective.

 

Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Securityholder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (h) of Section 9.3.  In that case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

 

The Issuers may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.

 

Section 9.6.                                 Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

 

The Issuers or the Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment or waiver on any Security of any Series thereafter authenticated.  The Issuers in exchange for Securities of that Series may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon request new Securities of that Series that reflect the amendment or waiver.

 

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Section 9.7.                                 Trustee Protected.

 

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both complying with Section 10.4.  The Trustee shall sign all supplemental indentures upon delivery of such an Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel or both, except that the Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely affects its rights.

 

ARTICLE X.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 10.1.                          Trust Indenture Act Controls.

 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.

 

Section 10.2.                          Notices.

 

Any notice or communication by the Issuers or the Trustee to the other, or by a Holder to the Issuers or the Trustee, is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail:

 

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if to the Issuers:

 

TransMontaigne Partners L.P.
 1670 Broadway, Suite 3100
 Denver, Colorado  80202
 Attention: Chief Financial Officer
 Telephone: (303) 626-8200

 

with a copy to:

 

Latham & Watkins LLP
 811 Main Street, Suite 3700
 Houston, Texas  77002
 Attention:  Ryan J. Maierson
 Telephone:  (713) 546-7420

 

if to the Trustee:

 

U.S. Bank National Association
 950 17th Street, Suite 1200
 Denver, CO 80202
 Telephone: (303) 585-4594
 Attention: Leland Hansen

 

The Issuers or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be mailed by first-class mail to his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar.  Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders of that or any other Series.

 

If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Securityholder receives it.

 

If the Issuers mail a notice or communication to Securityholders, they shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to a Holder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given to the Depositary for such Security (or its designee) pursuant to the customary procedures of such Depositary.

 

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Section 10.3.                          Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

 

Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or all Series.  The Issuers, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

 

Section 10.4.                          Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

 

Upon any request or application by an Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, such Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

(a)                                 an Officer’s Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(b)                                 an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

Section 10.5.                          Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:

 

(a)                                 a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(b)                                 a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(c)                                  a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(d)                                 a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

Section 10.6.                          Rules by Trustee and Agents.

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders of one or more Series.  Any Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

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Section 10.7.                          Legal Holidays.

 

Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, a “Legal Holiday” is any day that is not a Business Day.  If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

Section 10.8.                          No Recourse Against Others.

 

None of the General Partner, a director, officer, employee or stockholder (past or present), as such, of the General Partner or the Partnership’s unitholders shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation.  Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

 

Section 10.9.                          Counterparts.

 

This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

Section 10.10.                   Governing Law.

 

THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES, INCLUDING ANY CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE OR THE SECURITIES, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW).

 

Section 10.11.                   No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of either Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Partnership.  Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

Section 10.12.                   Successors.

 

All agreements of an Issuer in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successor.  All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

 

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Section 10.13.                   Severability.

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 10.14.                   Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

 

The Table of Contents, Cross Reference Table, and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

Section 10.15.                   Securities in a Foreign Currency.

 

Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Indenture with respect to a particular Series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all Series or all Series affected by a particular action at the time outstanding and, at such time, there are outstanding Securities of any Series which are denominated in more than one currency, then the principal amount of Securities of such Series which shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be determined by converting any such other currency into a currency that is designated upon issuance of any particular Series of Securities.  Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Indenture with respect to a particular Series of Securities, such conversion shall be at the spot rate for the purchase of the designated currency as published in The Financial Times in the “Currency Rates” section (or, if The Financial Times is no longer published, or if such information is no longer available in The Financial Times, such source as may be selected in good faith by the Issuers) on any date of determination.  The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a Series denominated in currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

All decisions and determinations provided for in the preceding paragraph shall, in the absence of manifest error, to the extent permitted by law, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Trustee and all Holders.

 

Section 10.16.                   Judgment Currency.

 

The Issuers agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of or interest or other amount on the Securities of any Series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a New York Banking Day, then the rate of exchange used shall be

 

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the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) their obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable, and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture.  For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

Section 10.17.                   Force Majeure.

 

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable best efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

ARTICLE XI.

SINKING FUNDS

 

Section 11.1.                          Applicability of Article.

 

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of a Series if so provided by the terms of such Securities pursuant to  Section 2.2 and except as otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such Series issued pursuant to this Indenture.

 

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment” and any other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.”  If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 11.2.  Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any Series as provided for by the terms of the Securities of such Series.

 

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Section 11.2.                          Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

 

The Issuers may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver outstanding Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption) and (2) apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable and which have been repurchased by the Issuers or redeemed either at the election of the Issuers pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited.  Such Securities shall be received by the Trustee, together with an Officer’s Certificate with respect thereto, not later than 15 days prior to the date on which the Trustee begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and shall be credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.  If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 11.2, the principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon receipt of an Issuer Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of an Issuer Order pay over and deliver to the Issuers any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Issuers to the Trustee of Securities of that Series purchased by the Issuers having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment required to be released to the Issuers.

 

Section 11.3.                          Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

 

Not less than 45 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate in respect of a particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Series of Securities, the Issuers will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 11.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and the Issuers shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified.  Not less than 30 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a particular Series of Securities) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Issuers in the manner provided in Section 3.3.  Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

	
 
    	
TransMontaigne   Partners L.P.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
TransMontaigne   GP L.L.C.,
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
its   general partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Its:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
TLP   Finance Corp.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Its:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
U.S.   Bank National Association, as Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Its:
    


 

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