Second Amended and Restated Unsecured Revolving Demand Promissory Note



 Exhibit 10.44 
 SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED 
 UNSECURED REVOLVING 

DEMAND PROMISSORY NOTE 
  

			
	 $40,000,000.00
	  	December 13, 2011

 Section 1. Promise to Pay. For and in consideration of value
received, the undersigned, NL INDUSTRIES, INC., a corporation duly organized under the laws of the state of New Jersey ( “Borrower”), promises to pay to the order of VALHI,
INC., a corporation duly organized under the laws of the state of Delaware (“Valhi”), or the holder hereof (as applicable, Valhi or such holder shall be referred to as “Noteholder”), the principal sum
of FORTY MILLION and NO/100ths United States Dollars ($40,000,000.00) or such lesser amount as shall equal the unpaid principal amount of the loan made by Noteholder to Borrower together with interest on the unpaid principal balance from time to
time pursuant to the terms of this Second Amended and Restated Unsecured Revolving Demand Promissory Note, as it may be amended from time to time (this “Note”). This Note shall be unsecured and will bear interest on the terms set
forth in Section 7 below. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to such terms in Section 17 of this Note. 
 Section 2. Amendment and Restatement. This Note renews and replaces, amends and restates in its entirety the First Amended and Restated Unsecured Revolving Demand Promissory
Note dated December 31, 2010 in the original principal amount of $40,000,000.00 payable to the order of Noteholder and executed by Borrower (the “First Amended Note”). The First Amended Note replaced, amended and restated in
its entirety the Unsecured Revolving Demand Promissory Note dated June 23, 2010 in the original principal amount of $40,000,000.00 payable to the order of Noteholder and executed by Borrower (the “Original Note”). This Note
amends and restates in its entirety the First Amended Note and the Original Note (collectively, the “Prior Notes”); provided that (a) such amendment and restatement shall operate to renew, amend and modify the rights and
obligations of the parties under each Prior Note, as provided herein, but shall not extinguish the obligations under each Prior Note, nor effect a novation thereof. As of the close of business on December 12, 2011, the unpaid principal balance
of the First Amended Note was $4,000,000.00 and the accrued and unpaid interest thereon was $11,178.06, which principal and accrued and unpaid interest is the unpaid principal and accrued and unpaid interest owed under this Note as of the beginning
of business on the date of this Note. 
 Section 3. Place of Payment. All payments will be made
at Noteholder’s address at Three Lincoln Centre 5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700, Dallas, Texas 75240-2697, Attention: Treasurer, or such other place as Noteholder may from time to time appoint in writing. 

Section 4. Payments. The unpaid principal balance of this Note and any unpaid and accrued interest
thereon shall be due and payable on the Final Payment Date. Prior to the Final Payment Date, any unpaid and accrued interest on an unpaid principal balance shall be paid in arrears quarterly on the last day of each March, June, September and
December, commencing March 31, 2011. All payments on this Note shall be applied first to accrued and unpaid interest, next to accrued interest not yet payable and then to principal. If any payment of principal or interest on this Note shall
become due on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and the payment shall be the amount owed on the original payment date. 

Section 5. Prepayments. This Note may be prepaid in part or in full at any time without penalty.

 Section 6. Borrowings. Prior to the Final Payment Date, Noteholder expressly authorizes
Borrower to borrow, repay and re-borrow principal under this Note in increments of $100,000 on a daily basis so long as: 
  

	 	•	 	 the aggregate outstanding principal balance does not exceed $40,000,000.00; and 



 

	 	•	 	 no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. 


 Notwithstanding anything else in this Note, in no event will Noteholder be required to lend money to Borrower under this Note and loans under this Note shall be at the sole and absolute discretion of
Noteholder. 
 Section 7. Interest. The unpaid principal balance of this Note shall
bear interest at the rate per annum of the Prime Rate plus two and three-quarters percent (2.75%). In the event that an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the unpaid principal amount shall bear interest from the Event of Default at the rate
per annum of the Prime Rate plus four percent (4.00%) until such time as the Event of Default is cured. Accrued interest on the 

  
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unpaid principal of this Note shall be computed on the basis of a 365- or 366-day year for actual days (including the first, but excluding the last day) elapsed, but in no event shall such
computation result in an amount of accrued interest that would exceed accrued interest on the unpaid principal balance during the same period at the Maximum Rate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, this Note is expressly limited so that in no
contingency or event whatsoever shall the amount paid or agreed to be paid to Noteholder exceed the Maximum Rate. If, from any circumstances whatsoever, Noteholder shall ever receive as interest an amount that would exceed the Maximum Rate, such
amount that would be excessive interest shall be applied to the reduction of the unpaid principal balance and not to the payment of interest, and if the principal amount of this Note is paid in full, any remaining excess shall be paid to Borrower,
and in such event, Noteholder shall not be subject to any penalties provided by any laws for contracting for, charging, taking, reserving or receiving interest in excess of the highest lawful rate permissible under applicable law. All sums paid or
agreed to be paid to Noteholder for the use, forbearance or detention of the indebtedness of Borrower to Noteholder shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the full term of such
indebtedness until payment in full of the principal (including the period of any renewal or extension thereof) so that the interest on account of such indebtedness shall not exceed the Maximum Rate. If at any time the Contract Rate is limited to the
Maximum Rate, any subsequent reductions in the Contract Rate shall not reduce the rate of interest on this Note below the Maximum Rate until the total amount of interest accrued equals the amount of interest that would have accrued if the Contract
Rate had at all times been in effect. In the event that, upon the Final Payment Date, the total amount of interest paid or accrued on this Note is less than the amount of interest that would have accrued if the Contract Rate had at all times been in
effect with respect thereto, then at such time, to the extent permitted by law, in addition to the principal and any other amounts Borrower owes to the Noteholder, the Borrower shall pay to the Noteholder an amount equal to the difference between:
(i) the lesser of the amount of interest that would have accrued if the Contract Rate had at all times been in effect or the amount of interest that would have accrued if the Maximum Rate had at all times been in effect; and (ii) the
amount of interest actually paid on this Note. 
 Section 8. Remedy. Upon the occurrence
and during the continuation of an Event of Default, Noteholder shall have all of the rights and remedies provided in the applicable Uniform Commercial Code, this Note or any other agreement with Borrower and in favor of Noteholder, as well as those
rights and remedies provided by any other applicable law, rule or regulation. In conjunction with and in addition to the foregoing rights and remedies of Noteholder, Noteholder may declare all indebtedness due under this Note, although otherwise
unmatured, to be due and payable immediately without notice or demand whatsoever. All rights and remedies of Noteholder are cumulative and may be exercised singly or concurrently. The failure to exercise any right or remedy will not be a waiver of
such right or remedy. 
 Section 9. Right of Offset. Noteholder shall have the right of
offset against amounts that may be due by Noteholder now or in the future to Borrower against amounts due under this Note. 

Section 10. Record of Outstanding Indebtedness. The date and amount of each repayment of principal
outstanding under this Note or interest thereon shall be recorded by Noteholder in its records. The principal balance outstanding and all accrued or accruing interest owed under this Note as recorded by Noteholder in its records shall be the best
evidence of the principal balance outstanding and all accrued or accruing interest owed under this Note; provided that the failure of Noteholder to so record or any error in so recording or computing any such amount owed shall not limit or
otherwise affect the obligations of Borrower under this Note to repay the principal balance outstanding and all accrued or accruing interest. 
 Section 11. Waiver. Borrower and each surety, endorser, guarantor, and other party now or subsequently liable for payment of this Note, severally waive demand,
presentment for payment, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, protest, notice of protest, notice of the intention to accelerate, notice of acceleration, diligence in collecting or bringing suit against any party liable on this Note, and further
agree to any and all extensions, renewals, modifications, partial payments, substitutions of evidence of indebtedness, and the taking or release of any collateral with or without notice before or after demand by Noteholder for payment under this
Note. 
 Section 12. Costs and Attorneys’ Fees. In addition to any other amounts
payable to Noteholder pursuant to the terms of this Note, in the event Noteholder incurs costs in collecting on this Note, this Note is placed in the hands of any attorney for collection, suit is filed on this Note or if proceedings are had in
bankruptcy, receivership, reorganization, or other legal or judicial proceedings for the collection of this Note, Borrower and any guarantor 

  
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jointly and severally agree to pay on demand to Noteholder all expenses and costs of collection, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any
such collection, suit, or proceeding, in addition to the principal and interest then due. 
 Section 13.
Time of Essence. Time is of the essence with respect to all of Borrower’s obligations and agreements under this Note. 
 Section 14. Jurisdiction and Venue. THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DOMESTIC LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, WITHOUT GIVING
EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF TEXAS OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF TEXAS. BORROWER CONSENTS TO
JURISDICTION IN THE COURTS LOCATED IN DALLAS, TEXAS. 
 Section 15. Notice. Any
notice or demand required by this Note shall be deemed to have been given and received on the earlier of (i) when the notice or demand is actually received by the recipient or (ii) 72 hours after the notice is deposited in
the United States mail, certified or registered, with postage prepaid, and addressed to the recipient. The address for giving notice or demand under this Note (i) to Noteholder shall be the place of payment specified in
Section 3 or such other place as Noteholder may specify in writing to Borrower and (ii) to Borrower shall be the address below Borrower’s signature or such other place as Borrower may specify in writing to Noteholder.

 Section 16. Successors and Assigns. All of the covenants, obligations, promises
and agreements contained in this Note made by Borrower shall be binding upon its successors and permitted assigns, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower shall not assign this Note or its performance under this Note without the prior
written consent of Noteholder. 
 Section 17. Definitions. For purposes of this
Note, the following terms shall have the following meanings: 
 (a) “Business
Day” shall mean any day banks are open in the state of Texas. 
 (b) “Contract
Rate” means the amount of any interest (including fees, charges or expenses or any other amounts that, under applicable law, are deemed interest) contracted for, charged or received by or for the account of Noteholder. 

(c) “Event of Default” wherever used herein, means any one of the following
events: 
 (i) Borrower fails to pay any amount due on this Note and/or any fees or sums due under or in
connection with this Note after any such payment otherwise becomes due and payable and three Business Days after demand for such payment; 
 (ii) Borrower otherwise fails to perform or observe any other provision contained in this Note and such breach or failure to perform shall continue for a period of thirty days after notice thereof
shall have been given to Borrower by Noteholder; 
 (iii) a case shall be commenced against Borrower, or
Borrower shall file a petition commencing a case, under any provision of the Federal Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, or shall seek relief under any provision of any other bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of
debt, dissolution or liquidation law of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect, or shall consent to the filing of any petition against it under such law, or Borrower shall make an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or shall
admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or shall consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee or liquidator of Borrower or all or any part of its property; or 

(iv) an event occurs that, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would become any of the foregoing Events of
Default. 

  
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 (d) “Final Payment Date” shall mean the
earlier of: 
  

	 	•	 	 written demand by Noteholder for payment of all or part of the principal and interest accrued and unpaid thereon, but in any event no earlier than
March 31, 2013; 


  

	 	•	 	 December 31, 2013; or 


  

	 	•	 	 acceleration as provided herein. 


 (e) “Maximum Rate” shall mean the highest lawful rate permissible under applicable law for the use, forbearance or detention of money. 

(f) “Prime Rate” shall mean the fluctuating interest rate per annum in effect from time to
time equal to the base rate on corporate loans as reported as the Prime Rate in the Money Rates column of The Wall Street Journal or other reliable source. 

 

			
	 BORROWER:
  

NL INDUSTRIES, INC.

		
	By:	 	 
		 	John A. St. Wrba, Vice President and Treasurer
	
	Address:
	
	 5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700
 Dallas, Texas 75240-2697



 As of the date hereof, Valhi, Inc., as Noteholder, hereby agrees that this Note renews and
replaces, amends and restates in its entirety the First Amended Note and the Original Note (but shall not extinguish the obligations under the Prior Note, nor effect a novation thereof) and that the unpaid principal and accrued and unpaid interest
on the First Amended Note as of the close of business on December 12, 2011 are the unpaid principal and accrued and unpaid interest, respectively, owed under this Note as of the beginning of business on the date of this Note. 

 

			
	 VALHI, INC.

		
	By:	 	 
		 	 Gregory M. Swalwell

Vice President and Controller 




  
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