8-K
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

February 24, 2022

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

 

 

ITRON, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Washington   000-22418   91-1011792

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

2111 N. Molter Road, Liberty Lake, WA 99019
(Address of principal executive offices, Zip Code)

(509) 924-9900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common stock, no par value   ITRI   NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Item 5.03

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

On February 24, 2022, the Board of Directors (the Board) of Itron, Inc. amended (the Amendment) the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (the Bylaws), effective immediately and as follows:

 

   

To align with the Washington Business Corporation Act (WBCA), allowing for the postponement or rescheduling of special meetings and amending the threshold for calling of a special meeting by shareholders (Section 2.2)

 

   

As permitted under the WBCA, allow for the request of additional reasonable information for shareholder proposals (Section 2.6.1)

 

   

Increasing the notification period for shareholder nominations to not less than 90 days and no more than 120 days and adding the ability for the Board to request additional reasonable information (Section 3.3.1)

 

   

Clarifying quorum requirements for Board meetings (Section 3.9)

 

   

Clarifying language related to various committee appointments (Section 3.16)

 

   

Clarifying requirements for officer and Board chair appointments (Section 4)

 

   

Removing the section covering contracts, loans, check and deposits (previously Section 5)

 

   

Removing the section covering restriction on transfer of share certificates (previously Section 6.5)

 

   

Conforming certain provisions to the applicable statute (various sections)

The foregoing description of the Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amendment, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 3.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)    Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

 3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Itron, Inc., as amended effective February 24, 2022.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    ITRON, INC.
    By:  

/s/ SARAH E. HLAVINKA

                February 25, 2022                       Sarah E. Hlavinka
Date       Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

ITRON, INC.

Adopted February 24, 2022


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

              Page  

SECTION 1. OFFICES

     1  

SECTION 2. SHAREHOLDERS

     1  

2.1

  Annual Meeting      1  

2.2

  Special Meetings      1  

2.3

  Meetings by Communication Equipment      1  

2.4

  Date, Time and Place of Meeting      1  

2.5

  Notice to Shareholders      2  

2.6

  Business for Shareholders’ Meetings      4  
  2.6.1    Business at Annual Meetings      4  
  2.6.2    Business at Special Meetings      5  
  2.6.3    Notice to Corporation      5  

2.7

  Fixing of Record Date for Determining Shareholders Entitled to Notice of or to Vote at a Meeting or to Receive Payment of a Dividend      6  
  2.7.1    Record Date for Meeting of Shareholders      6  
  2.7.2    Record Date to Receive Payment of Dividend or Distribution      6  

2.8

  Voting Record      6  

2.9

  Quorum      6  

2.10

  Manner of Acting      7  
  2.10.1    Matters Other Than the Election of Directors      7  
  2.10.2    Election of Directors      7  

2.11

  Proxies      7  
  2.11.1    Authorization      7  
  2.11.2    Effectiveness of Appointment of Proxy      7  
  2.11.4    Revocability of Proxy      8  
  2.11.5    Death or Incapacity of Shareholder Appointing a Proxy      8  
  2.11.6    Acceptance of Proxy’s Vote or Action      8  

2.12

  Voting of Shares      8  

2.13

  Voting for Directors      8  

SECTION 3. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     8  

3.1

  General Powers      8  

3.2

  Number and Tenure      9  

3.3

  Nomination and Election      9  
  3.3.1    Nomination      9  
  3.3.2    Election      11  

3.4

  Annual and Regular Meetings      10  

3.5

  Special Meetings      10  

3.6

  Meetings by Communications Equipment      11  

3.7

  Notice of Special Meetings      11  
  3.7.1    Personal Delivery      11  

 

Page i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

              Page  
  3.7.2    Delivery by Mail      11  
  3.7.3    Delivery by Private Carrier      11  
  3.7.4    Delivery by Electronic Mail      11  
  3.7.5    Oral Notice      12  

3.8

  Waiver of Notice      12  
  3.8.1    In Writing      12  
  3.8.2    By Attendance      12  

3.9

  Quorum      12  

3.10

  Manner of Acting      12  

3.11

  Presumption of Assent      12  

3.12

  Action by Board or Committees Without a Meeting      13  

3.13

  Resignation      13  

3.14

  Removal      13  

3.15

  Vacancies      13  

3.16

  Executive and Other Committees      14  
  3.16.1    Creation of Committees      14  
  3.16.2    Authority of Committees      14  
  3.16.3    Quorum and Manner of Acting      14  
  3.16.4    Minutes of Meetings      14  
  3.16.5    Resignation      15  
  3.16.6    Removal      15  

3.17

  Compensation      15  

SECTION 4. OFFICERS

     16  

4.1

  Appointment and Term      16  

4.2

  Resignation      16  

4.3

  Removal      16  

4.4

  Contract Rights of Officers      16  

4.5

  Chair of the Board and Vice Chair of the Board      16  

4.6

  Chief Executive Officer      17  

4.7

  President      17  

4.8

  Vice Presidents      17  

4.9

  Secretary      17  

4.10

  Treasurer      17  

4.11

  Salaries      18  

SECTION 5. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER

     18  

5.1

  Issuance of Shares      18  

5.2

  Certificates for Shares      18  

5.3

  Issuance of Shares Without Certificates      18  

5.4

  Stock Records      18  

5.5

  Transfer of Shares      19  

5.6

  Lost or Destroyed Certificates      19  

 

Page ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

              Page  

SECTION 6. BOOKS AND RECORDS

     19  

SECTION 7. ACCOUNTING YEAR

     20  

SECTION 8. SEAL

     20  

SECTION 9. INDEMNIFICATION

     20  

9.1

  Right to Indemnification      20  

9.2

  Restrictions on Indemnification      21  

9.3

  Advancement of Expenses      21  

9.4

  Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit      21  

9.5

  Procedures Exclusive      21  

9.6

  Nonexclusivity of Rights      22  

9.7

  Insurance, Contracts and Funding      22  

9.8

  Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation      22  

9.9

  Persons Serving Other Entities      22  

SECTION 10. AMENDMENTS

     23  

SECTION 11. EXCLUSIVE FORUM

     23  

 

Page iii


AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

ITRON, INC.

SECTION 1. OFFICES

The principal office of the corporation shall be located at the principal place of business or such other place as the Board of Directors (“Board”) may designate. The corporation may have such other offices, either within or without the State of Washington, as the Board may designate or as the business of the corporation may require from time to time.

SECTION 2. SHAREHOLDERS

2.1 Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held at such place and time and on such date as determined by the Board for the purpose of electing directors and transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

2.2 Special Meetings

The Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board may call special meetings of the shareholders for any purpose. Further, a special meeting of shareholders may be called by the shareholders to the extent permitted by the Washington Business Corporation Act and the Articles of Incorporation by executing, dating and delivering to the Secretary, one or more written demands for such meeting, describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held. The Board, by unanimous vote, may postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled special meeting.

2.3 Meetings by Communication Equipment

Shareholders may participate in any meeting of the shareholders by any means of remote communication as permitted by the Washington State Business Corporation Act. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.

2.4 Date, Time and Place of Meeting

Except as otherwise provided herein, all meetings of shareholders, including those held pursuant to demand by shareholders as provided herein, shall be held on such date and at such time and place, within or without the State of Washington, designated by or at the direction of the Board.

 

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2.5 Notice to Shareholders

Any notice to shareholders required or permitted under these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act shall be provided in accordance with this Section 2.5.

2.5.1 Type of Notice

(a) Notice Provided in a Tangible Medium. Notice may be provided in a tangible medium and may be transmitted by mail, private carrier, personal delivery, telephone or wire or wireless equipment that transmits a facsimile of the notice.

(b) Notice Provided in an Electronic Transmission. Notice may be provided in an electronic transmission and be electronically transmitted.

(1) Notice by Electronic Mail or Other Electronic Transmission. Notice or other communications to shareholders may be given by electronic mail or other electronic transmission. If the corporation previously gave notices to a shareholder only by mail or other methods of delivery not involving electronic transmission, the corporation will notify the shareholder that it intends to give notices to the shareholder by electronic transmission before the corporation first commences giving notice to the shareholder by electronic transmission. The inadvertent failure to give this notice will not invalidate any meeting or other corporate action.

Notice provided in an electronic mail or other electronic transmission includes material required or permitted to accompany the notice by the Washington Business Corporation Act or other applicable statute or regulation.

(2) Objection or Inability to Receive Notice by Electronic Mail or Other Electronic Transmission. The corporation may not continue to give notice by electronic mail or other electronic transmission after the shareholder notifies the corporation in writing of an objection to receiving notice by electronic mail or other electronic transmission.. The corporation may not continue to give notice by electronic mail or other electronic transmission after the corporation is unable to deliver two consecutive notices by electronic mail or other electronic transmission to the electronic mail address, network, or processing system for the shareholder, and this inability becomes known to the Secretary, the transfer agent or any other person responsible for giving the notice or other communications. The inadvertent failure by the corporation to discover this inability does not invalidate any meeting or other action.

(3) Posting Notice on an Electronic Network. Notice to shareholders, unless the shareholder has previously notified the corporation in writing of an objection to receiving notice by electronic mail or other electronic transmission, may be provided by posting the notice on an electronic network and delivering to the shareholder a separate record of the posting, together with comprehensible instructions regarding how to obtain access to the posting on the electronic network.

 

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2.5.2 Effectiveness of Notice

(a) Notice by Mail. Notice given by mail is effective when deposited in the United States mail, first-class postage prepaid, properly addressed to the shareholder at the shareholder’s address as it appears in the corporation’s current record of shareholders.

(b) Notice by Facsimile Equipment. facsimile equipment that transmits a facsimile of the notice is effective when dispatched to the shareholder’s address, telephone number or other number appearing on the records of the corporation.

(c) Notice by Air Courier. Notice given by air courier is effective when dispatched, if prepaid and properly addressed to the shareholder at the shareholder’s address as it appears in the corporation’s current record of shareholders.

(d) Notice by Ground Courier or Other Personal Delivery. Notice given by ground courier or other personal delivery is effective when received by a shareholder.

(e) Notice by Electronic Transmission. Notice provided in an electronic transmission, if in comprehensible form, is effective when it (1) is electronically transmitted to an address, location or system, electronic mail address or another similar destination to which documents are delivered designated by the recipient for that purpose or (2) has been posted on an electronic network and a separate record of the posting has been delivered to the recipient together with comprehensible instructions regarding how to obtain access to the posting on the electronic network.

(f) Notice by Publication. Notice given by publication is effective five days after first publication.

2.5.3 Notice of Meetings

Notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be provided in the form of a record by or at the direction of the Board, the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary to each shareholder entitled to notice of or to vote at the meeting, as provided below.

2.5.3.1 Number of Days’ Notice

(a) Normal Business. Except as provided in Section 2.5.3.1(b), notice of the meeting shall be provided not less than 10 or more than 60 days before the meeting.

(b) Amendment to Articles of Incorporation; Merger or Share Exchange; Sale of Assets or Dissolution. Notice of a meeting held for the purpose of considering (1) an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, (2) a plan of merger or share exchange, (3) the sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the corporation’s assets other than in the regular course of business or (4) the dissolution of the corporation shall be provided not less than 20 or more than 60 days before the meeting.

 

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2.5.3.2 Adjourned Meetings

If an annual or special meeting of shareholders is adjourned to a different date, time or place, no notice of the new date, time or place is required if this information is announced at the meeting before adjournment. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is or must be fixed, notice of the adjourned meeting must be provided to persons who, as of the new record date, are shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote as of the new record date.

2.5.4 Waiver of Notice

2.5.4.1 Waiver by Delivery of a Record

A shareholder may waive any notice required by these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act before or after the date and time of the meeting that is the subject of the notice. The waiver must be (a) delivered by the shareholder entitled to notice to the corporation for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records, and (b) set forth either in an executed and dated written record or, if the corporation has designated an address, location or system to which the waiver may be electronically transmitted and the waiver is electronically transmitted to the designated address, location or system, in an executed and dated electronically transmitted record.

2.5.4.2 Waiver by Attendance

Notice of the time, place and purpose of any meeting will be waived by any shareholder by attendance in person or by proxy unless the shareholder at the beginning of the meeting objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting.

2.5.4.3 Waiver of Objection

A shareholder waives objection to consideration of a particular matter at a meeting that is not within the purpose or purposes described in the notice of the meeting unless the shareholder objects to considering the matter when it is presented.

2.6 Business for Shareholders’ Meetings

2.6.1 Business at Annual Meetings

In addition to the election of directors, other proper business may be transacted at an annual meeting of shareholders, provided that such business is properly brought before such meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be brought (a) by or at the direction of the Board or (b) before the meeting by a shareholder pursuant to written

 

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notice thereof, in accordance with Section 2.6.3 hereof, and received by the Secretary not fewer than 90 or more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting; provided that if the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 30 days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the shareholder, in order to be considered timely, must be so delivered not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the 120th day prior to such annual meeting or (ii) the 10th day following the day on which the notice of the date of the annual meeting was made in accordance with Section 2.5. Any shareholder notice shall set forth (1) the name and address of the shareholder proposing such business; (2) a representation that the shareholder is entitled to vote at such meeting and a statement of the number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by the shareholder; (3) a representation that the shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business; (4) as to each matter the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, the language of the proposal (if appropriate), and any material interest of the shareholder in such business; and (5) any other information as reasonably requested by the corporation relating to the foregoing. No business shall be conducted at any annual meeting of shareholders except in accordance with this Section 2.6.1. If the facts warrant, the Board, or the chairman of an annual meeting of shareholders, may determine and declare that (A) a proposal does not constitute proper business to be transacted at the meeting or (B) business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.6.1; if, in either case, it is so determined, any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted. In addition to the procedures set forth in this Section 2.6.1, shareholders desiring to include a proposal in the corporation’s proxy statement must also comply with the requirements set forth in Rule 14a-8 under Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provision.

2.6.2 Business at Special Meetings

At any special meeting of the shareholders, only such business as is specified in the notice of such special meeting given by or at the direction of the person or persons calling such meeting, in accordance with Section 2.5 hereof, shall come before such meeting.

2.6.3 Notice to Corporation

Any written notice required to be delivered by a shareholder to the corporation pursuant to Section 2.5, 2.6.1 or 2.6.2 hereof must be given, either by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary at the corporation’s executive offices.

 

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2.7 Fixing of Record Date for Determining Shareholders Entitled to Notice of or to Vote at a Meeting or to Receive Payment of a Dividend

2.7.1 Record Date for Meeting of Shareholders

For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment of a meeting, the Board may fix a future date as the record date for the determination. The record date shall be not less than 10 or more than 70 days prior to the date of the meeting. If no record date is fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting, the record date shall be the day immediately preceding the date on which notice of the meeting is first given to shareholders. The determination of the record date shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the Board fixes a new record date, which it shall do if the meeting is adjourned to a date more than 120 days after the date fixed for the original meeting.

2.7.2 Record Date to Receive Payment of Dividend or Distribution

For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or distribution (including a dividend or distribution in connection with a stock split), the Board may fix a future date as the record date for the dividend or distribution. The record date shall be not more than 70 days prior to the date on which the dividend or distribution is payable. If no record date is set for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive payment of any stock dividend or distribution (other than one involving a purchase, redemption or other acquisition of the corporation’s shares), the record date shall be the date the Board authorizes the stock dividend or distribution.

2.8 Voting Record

At least 10 days before each meeting of shareholders, an alphabetical list of the shareholders entitled to notice of such meeting shall be made, arranged by voting group and by each class or series of shares therein, with the address of and number of shares held by each shareholder. This record shall be kept at the principal office of the corporation for 10 days prior to such meeting, and shall be made available at such meeting, for inspection by any shareholder or any shareholder’s agent.

2.9 Quorum

A majority of the votes entitled to be cast on a matter by the holders of shares that, pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act, are entitled to vote and be counted collectively upon such matter, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum of such shares at a meeting of shareholders. If less than a quorum of such votes are represented at a meeting, a majority of the votes so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment. Any business may be transacted at a

 

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reconvened meeting that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called, provided a quorum is present or represented thereat. Once a share is represented for any purpose at a meeting other than solely to object to holding the meeting or transacting business thereat, it is deemed present for quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting and any adjournment thereof (unless a new record date is or must be set for the adjourned meeting), notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum.

2.10 Manner of Acting

2.10.1 Matters Other Than the Election of Directors

If a quorum is present, action on a matter other than the election of directors shall be approved if the votes cast in favor of the action by shares entitled to vote on the matter exceed the votes cast against the action by shares entitled to vote thereon, unless the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act requires a greater number of affirmative votes or approval by separate voting groups.

2.10.2 Election of Directors

Directors shall be elected in the manner set forth in Section 2.13.

2.11 Proxies

2.11.1 Authorization

A shareholder or the shareholder’s agent or attorney-in-fact may appoint a proxy to vote or otherwise act for the shareholder by executing an appointment form, or by an electronic transmission. An electronic transmission must contain or be accompanied by information from which the recipient can determine the date of the transmission and that the transmission was authorized by the sender or the sender’s agent or attorney-in-fact.

2.11.2 Effectiveness of Appointment of Proxy

An appointment of a proxy is effective when an executed appointment form or electronic transmission of the appointment is received by the inspectors of election or the officer or agent of the corporation authorized to tabulate votes. An appointment is valid for the term provided in the appointment form or electronic transmission, and, if no term is provided, is valid for 11 months unless the appointment is irrevocable. A proxy with respect to a specified meeting shall entitle its holder to vote at any reconvened meeting following adjournment of the meeting but shall not be valid after the final adjournment.

 

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2.11.4 Revocability of Proxy

An appointment of a proxy is revocable by the shareholder unless the appointment for or electronic transmission states that it is irrevocable and the appointment is coupled with an interest. Appointments coupled with an interest include the appointment of a pledgee, a person who purchased or agreed to purchase the shares, a creditor of the corporation who extended it credit under terms requiring the appointment, an employee of the corporation whose employment contract requires the appointment or a party to a voting agreement created under RCW 23B.07.310. An appointment made irrevocable is revoked when the interest with which it is coupled is extinguished. A transferee for value of shares subject to an irrevocable appointment may revoke the appointment if the transferee did not know of its existence when the transferee acquired the shares and the existence of the irrevocable appointment was not noted conspicuously on the certificate representing the shares or on the information statement for shares without certificates.

2.11.5 Death or Incapacity of Shareholder Appointing a Proxy

The death or incapacity of the shareholder appointing a proxy does not affect the right of the corporation to accept the proxy’s authority unless notice of the death or incapacity is received by the officer or agent of the corporation authorized to tabulate votes before the proxy exercises the proxy’s authority under the appointment.

2.11.6 Acceptance of Proxy’s Vote or Action

Subject to RCW 23B.07.240 and to any express limitation on the proxy’s authority stated in the appointment form or electronic transmission, the corporation is entitled to accept the proxy’s vote or other action as that of the shareholder making the appointment.

2.12 Voting of Shares

Except as provided in the Articles of Incorporation, each outstanding share entitled to vote with respect to a matter submitted to a meeting of shareholders shall be entitled to one vote upon such matter.

2.13 Voting for Directors

Each shareholder entitled to vote at an election of directors may vote, in person or by proxy, the number of shares owned by such shareholder for as many persons as there are directors to be elected and for whose election such shareholder has a right to vote.

SECTION 3. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

3.1 General Powers

All corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed under the direction of, the Board, except as may be otherwise provided in these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act.

 

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3.2 Number and Tenure

The Board shall be composed of not less than three or more than fifteen directors, the specific number to be set by resolution of the Board or the shareholders, provided that, to be effective, any resolution of the shareholders establishing the specific number must be approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such resolution. The number of directors may be changed from time to time by amendment to these Bylaws, provided that, to be effective, any amendment by shareholders must be approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such resolution. A director’s term shall be three years, and each director shall serve for the term for which he or she was elected, or until his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified, or until his or her death, resignation or removal from office; provided, however, that a director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected or until there is a decrease in the authorized number of directors. Directors need not be shareholders of the corporation or residents of the State of Washington.

3.3 Nomination and Election

3.3.1 Nomination

Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors. Nominations for the election of directors may be made (a) by or at the direction of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or the Board or (b) by any shareholder of record entitled to vote for the election of directors at such meeting; provided, however, that a shareholder may nominate persons for election as directors only if written notice (in accordance with Section 2.6.3 hereof) of such shareholder’s intention to make such nominations is received by the Secretary (i) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of the shareholders, not fewer than 90 or more than 120 days prior to the date specified pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof for such annual meeting (or if less than 60 days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting is given or made to the shareholders, not later than the 10th day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made); and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of the shareholders for the election of directors, the close of business on the 7th business day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to shareholders. Any such shareholder’s notice shall set forth (1) the name and address of the shareholder who intends to make a nomination; (2) a representation that the shareholder is entitled to vote at such meeting and a statement of the number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by the shareholder; (3) a representation that the shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; (4) as to each person the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, (i) the name and address of such person and such other information regarding such nominee as would be required in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission had such nominee been nominated by the Board and (ii) a description of any arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and such nominee and any other

 

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persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination is to be made; (5) the consent of each such nominee to serve as a director if elected; and (6) any other information as reasonably requested by the corporation relating to the foregoing. If the facts warrant, the Board, or the chairman of a shareholders’ meeting at which directors are to be elected, shall determine and declare that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure and, if it is so determined, the defective nomination shall be disregarded. The right of shareholders to make nominations pursuant to the foregoing procedure is subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation. The procedures set forth in this Section 3.3 for nominations for the election of directors by shareholders are in addition to, and not in limitation of, any procedures now in effect or hereafter adopted by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof.

3.3.2 Election

Except as provided in Section 3.15, a nominee for director shall be elected if the votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against such nominee’s election. The following shall not be votes cast: (a) a share whose ballot is marked as abstain; (b) a share otherwise present at the meeting but for which there is an abstention; and (c) a share otherwise present at the meeting as to which a shareholder gives no authority or direction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast (a “contested election”) at any meeting of shareholders for which (i) the Secretary of the corporation receives a notice that a shareholder has nominated a person for election to the Board in compliance with the advance notice requirements for shareholder nominees for director set forth in Section 3.3.1, and (ii) such nomination has not been withdrawn by such shareholder on or prior to the time fixed in Section 3.3.1 for submitting nominations. A nominee for director in an election other than a contested election who does not receive the requisite votes for election but who was a director at the time of the election shall continue to serve as a director for a term that shall terminate on the date that is the earlier of (1) 90 days from the date on which the voting results of the election are certified, (2) the date on which an individual is selected by the Board to fill the office held by such director (which selection shall be deemed to constitute the filling of a vacancy by the Board, or (3) the date the director resigns.

3.4 Annual and Regular Meetings

An annual Board meeting may be held without notice immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of shareholders. The Board or any committee thereof may fix the time and place either within or without the State of Washington for holding regular meetings thereof without notice.

 

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3.5 Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Board or any committee designated by the Board may be called by or at the request of the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Secretary or, in the case of special Board meetings, any two directors and, in the case of any special meeting of any committee designated by the Board, by the Chair thereof. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings may fix any place either within or without the State of Washington as the place for holding any special Board or committee meeting called by them.

3.6 Meetings by Communications Equipment

Members of the Board or any committee designated by the Board may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, any means of communication by which all directors participating in the meeting can hear each other during the meeting. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.

3.7 Notice of Special Meetings

Notice of a special Board or committee meeting stating the place, day and hour of the meeting shall be given to a director in writing or orally. Neither the business to be transacted at any special meeting nor the purpose thereof needs to be specified in the notice of such meeting.

3.7.1 Personal Delivery

If notice is given by personal delivery, the notice shall be effective if delivered to a director at least two days before the meeting.

3.7.2 Delivery by Mail

If notice is deposited into the official government mail, such notice shall be effective upon the earlier of (a) when received; and (b) five days after its deposit, if properly addressed to a Director at his or her address shown on the records of the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid.

3.7.3 Delivery by Private Carrier

If notice is given by private carrier, the notice shall be deemed effective when dispatched to a director, at his or her address shown on the records of the corporation, at least two days before the meeting.

3.7.4 Delivery by Electronic Mail

If notice is delivered by electronic mail, the notice shall be deemed effective when it is directed to the recipient’s electronic mail address, at least two days before the meeting.

 

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3.7.5 Oral Notice

If notice is delivered orally, by telephone or in person, the notice shall be deemed effective if personally given to the director at least one day before the meeting.

3.8 Waiver of Notice

3.8.1 In Writing

Whenever any notice is required to be given to any director under the provisions of these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice and delivered to the corporation, whether before or after the date and time of the meeting, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at any regular or special meeting of the Board or any committee designated by the Board nor the purpose thereof needs to be specified in the waiver of notice of such meeting.

3.8.2 By Attendance

A director’s attendance at or participation in a Board or committee meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, unless the director objects, at the beginning of the meeting or promptly upon his or her arrival, to holding the meeting or transacting business thereat and does not thereafter vote for or assent to corporate action at the meeting.

3.9 Quorum

A majority of the members of the Board then holding office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any Board meeting, but, if less than a quorum is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.

3.10 Manner of Acting

If a quorum is present when the vote is taken, the act of the majority of the directors present at a Board or committee meeting shall be the act of the Board or committee, unless the vote of a greater number is required by these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or the Washington Business Corporation Act.

3.11 Presumption of Assent

A director of the corporation who is present at a Board or committee meeting at which any action is approved shall be deemed to have assented to the corporate action unless (a) the director objects, at the beginning of the meeting or promptly upon the director’s arrival, to holding the meeting or transacting any business thereat; (b) the director’s dissent or abstention from the corporate action is entered in the minutes of the meeting; or (c) the director delivers written notice of the director’s dissent or abstention to the presiding officer of the meeting before its adjournment or to the corporation within a reasonable time after adjournment of the meeting. The right of dissent or abstention is not available to a director who votes in favor of the corporate action.

 

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3.12 Action by Board or Committees Without a Meeting

Any action which could be approved at a meeting of the Board or of any committee created by the Board may be approved without a meeting if one or more written consents setting forth the action so taken are signed by each of the directors or by each committee member either before or after the action is approved and delivered to the corporation. Action approved by written consent of directors without a meeting is effective when the last director signs the consent unless the consent specifies a later effective date. Any such written consent shall be inserted in the minute book as if it were the minutes of a Board or a committee meeting.

3.13 Resignation

Any director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Secretary or the Board. Any such resignation is effective upon delivery thereof unless the notice of resignation specifies a later effective date, and the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation.

3.14 Removal

At a meeting of shareholders called expressly for the purpose of removing one or more members of the Board, one or more members of the Board, including the entire Board, may be removed with or without cause (unless the Articles of Incorporation permit removal for cause only) by the holders of the shares entitled to elect the director or directors whose removal is sought if the number of votes cast to remove the director exceeds the number of votes cast not to remove the director.

3.15 Vacancies

Unless the Articles of Incorporation provide otherwise, any vacancy occurring on the Board may be filled by the shareholders, by the Board or, if the directors in office constitute fewer than a quorum, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors. Any vacant office held by a director elected by the holders of one or more classes or series of shares entitled to vote and be counted collectively thereon shall be filled only by the vote of the holders of such class or series of shares. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve only until the next election of directors by the shareholders.

 

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3.16 Executive and Other Committees

3.16.1 Creation of Committees

The Board, by resolution adopted by the greater of a majority of the directors then in office and the number of directors required to take action in accordance with these Bylaws, may create standing or temporary committees, including an Executive Committee, and appoint members thereto from its own number and invest such committees with such powers as it may see fit, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by the Board, these Bylaws and applicable law. Each committee must have two or more members, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.

3.16.2 Authority of Committees

Each committee shall have and may exercise all of the authority of the Board to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board creating the committee and any subsequent resolutions pertaining thereto and adopted in like manner, except that no such committee shall have the authority to: (a) authorize or approve a distribution except according to a general formula or method prescribed by the Board; (b) approve or propose to shareholders actions or proposals required by the Washington Business Corporation Act to be approved by shareholders; (c) fill vacancies on the Board or any committee thereof; (d) adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws; (e) amend the Articles of Incorporation pursuant to RCW 23B.10.020; (f) approve a plan of merger not requiring shareholder approval; or (g) authorize or approve the issuance or sale or contract for sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or series of shares except that the Board may authorize a committee or a senior executive officer of the corporation to do so within limits specifically prescribed by the Board.

3.16.3 Quorum and Manner of Acting

A majority of the number of directors composing any committee of the Board, as established and fixed by resolution of the Board, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of such committee, but, if less than a quorum are present at a meeting, a majority of such directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. Except as may be otherwise provided in the Washington Business Corporation Act, if a quorum is present when the vote is taken, the act of a majority of the members present shall be the act of the committee.

3.16.4 Minutes of Meetings

All committees shall keep regular minutes of their meetings and shall cause them to be recorded in books kept for that purpose.

 

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3.16.5 Resignation

Any member of any committee may resign at any time by delivering written notice thereof to the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Secretary or the Board. Any such resignation is effective upon delivery thereof unless the notice of resignation specifies a later effective date, and the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

3.16.6 Removal

The Board may remove any member of any committee elected or appointed by it but only by the affirmative vote of the greater of a majority of the directors then in office and the number of directors required to take action in accordance with these Bylaws.

3.16.7 Audit/Finance Committee

In addition to any committees appointed pursuant to this Section 3, there shall be an Audit/Finance Committee consisting of at least three directors who are not members of management. The Audit/Finance Committee shall have the responsibilities set out in its charter and such other responsibilities as may from time to time be assigned to it by the Board.

3.16.8 Compensation Committee

In addition to any committees appointed pursuant to this Section 3, there shall be a Compensation Committee consisting of at least three directors who are not members of management. The Compensation Committee shall have the responsibilities set out in its charter and such other responsibilities as may from time to time be assigned to it by the Board.

3.16.9 Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

In addition to any committees appointed pursuant to this Section 3, there shall be a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consisting of at least three directors who are not members of management. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall have the responsibilities set out in its charter and such other responsibilities as may from time to time be assigned to it by the Board.

3.17 Compensation

By Board resolution, directors and committee members may be paid (a) their expenses, if any, of attendance at each Board or committee meeting, (b) a fixed sum for attendance at each Board or committee meeting, (c) a stated salary as a director or a committee member, or (d) a combination of the foregoing. No such payment shall preclude any director or committee member from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

 

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SECTION 4. OFFICERS

4.1 Appointment and Term

The officers of the corporation shall be those officers appointed from time to time by the Board or by any other officer empowered to do so. The Board shall have sole power and authority to appoint executive officers and prescribe the respective terms of office, authority and duties of executive officers. As used herein, the term “executive officer” shall mean the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, whether designated as Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, who is in charge of a principal business unit, division or function or any other officer who performs a policy-making function. The Board or the Chief Executive Officer may appoint such other officers and assistant officers to hold office for such period, to have such authority and to perform such duties as may be prescribed. The Board may delegate to any other officer the power to appoint any subordinate officers and to prescribe their respective terms of office, authority and duties. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. Unless an officer dies, resigns or is removed from office, he or she shall hold office until his or her successor is appointed.

4.2 Resignation

Any officer may resign at any time by delivering written notice thereof to the corporation. Any such resignation is effective upon delivery thereof unless the notice of resignation specifies a later effective date, and the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation.

4.3 Removal

Any officer may be removed by the Board at any time, with or without cause. An officer or assistant officer, if appointed by another officer, may be removed by any officer authorized to appoint officers or assistant officers.

4.4 Contract Rights of Officers

The appointment of an officer does not itself create contract rights.

4.5 Chair of the Board and Vice Chair of the Board

If appointed, the Chair of the Board shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to such person by the Board from time to time or as set forth in the Board’s Corporate Governance Guiding Principles and shall preside over meetings of the Board and shareholders unless another officer is appointed or designated by the Board as Chair of such meetings. The Chair may be appointed or removed at any time only by action of a majority of the members of the Board then in office.

 

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If appointed, the Vice Chair of the Board shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to such person by the Board from time to time or as set forth in the Corporate Governance Guiding Principles.

4.6 Chief Executive Officer

If appointed, the Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation unless some other officer is so designated by the Board, shall preside over meetings of the Board and shareholders in the absence of a Chair of the Board, and, subject to the Board’s control, shall supervise and control all of the assets, business and affairs of the corporation

4.7 President

If appointed, the President shall report to the Chief Executive Officer unless the same person holds both offices. In general, the President shall perform such other duties as are prescribed by the Board from time to time. If no Secretary has been appointed, the President shall have responsibility for the preparation of minutes of meetings of the Board and shareholders and for authentication of the records of the corporation.

4.8 Vice Presidents

Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents and Executive Vice Presidents shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Chief Executive Officer or the President or by or at the direction of the Board.

4.9 Secretary

If appointed, the Secretary shall (a) be responsible for preparation of minutes of the meetings of the Board and shareholders, maintenance of the corporation records and stock registers, and authentication of the corporation’s records; and (b) in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such person by the Chief Executive Officer or the President or by or at the direction of the Board. In the absence of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary may perform the duties of the Secretary.

4.10 Treasurer

If appointed, the Treasurer shall (a) have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the corporation, receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to the corporation from any source whatsoever, and deposit all such moneys in the name of the corporation in banks, trust companies or other depositories selected in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws; and (b) in general perform all of the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such person by the Chief Executive Officer or the President or by or at the direction of the Board. In the absence of the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer may perform the duties of the Treasurer. If required by the Board, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties in such amount and with such surety or sureties as the Board shall determine.

 

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4.11 Salaries

The salaries of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by the Board or by any person or persons to whom the Board has delegated such authority. No officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director of the corporation.

SECTION 5. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER

5.1 Issuance of Shares

No shares of the corporation shall be issued unless authorized by the Board or by a committee designated by the Board to the extent such committee is empowered to do so.

5.2 Certificates for Shares

Certificates representing shares of the corporation shall be signed, either manually or in facsimile, by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary and shall include on their face written notice of any restrictions which may be imposed on the transferability of such shares. All certificates shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified.

5.3 Issuance of Shares Without Certificates

Notwithstanding any other provisions herein, the Board may authorize the issuance of some or all of the shares of any or all of the corporation’s classes or series without certificates. The authorization does not affect shares already represented by certificates until they are surrendered to the corporation. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of shares without certificates, the corporation shall send the shareholder a record containing the information required on certificates by applicable Washington law.

5.4 Stock Records

The stock transfer books for registered shareholders shall be kept at the principal office of the corporation or at the office of the corporation’s transfer agent or registrar. The name and address of each person to whom certificates for shares are issued, together with the class and number of shares represented by each such certificate and the date of issue thereof, shall be entered on the stock transfer books of the corporation. The person in whose name shares stand on the books of the corporation shall be deemed by the corporation to be the owner thereof for all purposes.

 

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5.5 Transfer of Shares

The transfer of shares of the corporation shall be made only on the stock transfer books of the corporation pursuant to authorization or document of transfer made by the holder of record thereof or by his or her legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of authority to transfer, or by his or her attorney-in-fact authorized by power of attorney duly executed. All certificates surrendered to the corporation for transfer shall be cancelled and no new certificate shall be issued until the former certificates for a like number of shares shall have been surrendered and cancelled.

5.6 Lost or Destroyed Certificates

In the case of a lost, destroyed or mutilated certificate, a new certificate may be issued therefor upon such terms and indemnity to the corporation as the Board may prescribe.

SECTION 6. BOOKS AND RECORDS

The corporation shall:

(a) Keep as permanent records minutes of all meetings of its shareholders and the Board, a record of all actions taken by the shareholders or the Board without a meeting, and a record of all actions taken by a committee of the Board exercising the authority of the Board on behalf of the corporation.

(b) Maintain appropriate accounting records.

(c) Maintain a record of its shareholders, in a form that permits preparation of a list of the names and addresses of all shareholders in alphabetical order by class of shares, showing the number and class of shares held by each; provided, however, such record may be maintained by an agent of the corporation.

(d) Maintain its records in written form or in another form capable of conversion into written form within a reasonable time.

(e) Keep a copy of the following records at its principal office:

 

  1.

the Articles of Incorporation and all amendments thereto as currently in effect;

 

  2.

the Bylaws and all amendments thereto as currently in effect;

 

  3.

the minutes of all meetings of shareholders and records of all action taken by shareholders without a meeting, for the past three years;

 

  4.

the financial statements described in Section 23B.16.200(1) of the Washington Business Corporation Act, for the past three years;

 

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  5.

all written communications to shareholders generally within the past three years;

 

  6.

a list of the names and business addresses of the current directors and officers; and

 

  7.

the most recent annual report delivered to the Washington Secretary of State.

SECTION 7. ACCOUNTING YEAR

The accounting year of the corporation shall be the calendar year, provided that if a different accounting year is at any time selected by the Board for purposes of federal income taxes or any other purpose, the accounting year shall be the year so selected.

SECTION 8. SEAL

The Board may provide for a corporate seal which shall consist of the name of the corporation, the state of its incorporation and the year of its incorporation.

SECTION 9. INDEMNIFICATION

9.1 Right to Indemnification

Each person who was, is or is threatened to be made a named party to or is otherwise involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the corporation or that, being or having been such a director or officer or an employee of the corporation, he or she is or was serving at the request of an executive officer of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (hereinafter an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of a proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as such a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as such a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation against all expense, liability and loss (including counsel fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. Except as provided in Section 9.4 with respect to proceedings seeking to enforce rights to indemnification, the corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if a proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or ratified by the Board. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 9 shall be a contract right.

 

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9.2 Restrictions on Indemnification

No indemnification shall be provided to any such indemnitee (a) for acts or omissions of the indemnitee finally adjudged to be intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (b) for conduct of the indemnitee finally adjudged to be in violation of Section 23B.08.310 of the Washington Business Corporation Act, for (c) any transaction with respect to which it was finally adjudged that such indemnitee personally received a benefit in money, property or services to which the indemnitee was not legally entitled; or (d) if the corporation is otherwise prohibited by applicable law from paying such indemnification, except that if Section 23B.08.560 or any successor provision of the Washington Business Corporation Act is hereafter amended, the restrictions on indemnification set forth in this Section 9.2 shall be as set forth in such amended statutory provision.

9.3 Advancement of Expenses

The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 9 shall include the right to be paid by the corporation the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”). An advancement of expenses shall be made upon delivery to the corporation of (a) a written affirmation of such indemnitee’s good faith belief that the indemnitee has met the standard of conduct required to be eligible for indemnification, and (b) an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined, by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal, that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 9.3.

9.4 Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit

If a claim under Section 9.1 or 9.3 is not paid in full by the corporation within 60 days after a written claim has been received by the corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful, in whole or in part, in any such suit or in a suit brought by the corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to also be paid the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. The indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Section 9 upon submission of a written claim (and, in an action brought to enforce a claim for an advancement of expenses, where the required affirmation and undertaking has been tendered to the corporation), and thereafter the corporation shall have the burden of proof to overcome the presumption that the indemnitee is so entitled.

9.5 Procedures Exclusive

Pursuant to Section 23B.08.560(2) or any successor provision of the Washington Business Corporation Act, the procedures for indemnification and advancement of expenses set forth in this Section 9 are in lieu of the procedures required by Section 23B.08.550 or any successor provision of the Washington Business Corporation Act.

 

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9.6 Nonexclusivity of Rights

The right to indemnification and the advancement of expenses conferred in this Section 10 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, general or specific action of the Board, contract or otherwise.

9.7 Insurance, Contracts and Funding

The corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of the corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Washington Business Corporation Act. The corporation may enter into contracts with any director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of the corporation in furtherance of the provisions of this Section 9 and may create a trust fund, grant a security interest or use other means (including, without limitation, a letter of credit) to ensure the payment of such amounts as may be necessary to effect indemnification as provided in this Section 9.

9.8 Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation

The corporation may, by action of the Board, grant rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to employees and agents or any class or group of employees and agents of the corporation (a) with the same scope and effect as the provisions of this Section 10 with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the corporation; (b) pursuant to rights granted pursuant to or provided by, the Washington Business Corporation Act; or (c) as are otherwise consistent with law.

9.9 Persons Serving Other Entities

Any person who, while a director, officer or employee of the corporation, is or was serving (a) as a director or officer of another foreign or domestic corporation of which a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of its directors is held by the corporation or (b) as a partner, trustee or otherwise in an executive or management capacity in a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise of which the corporation or a wholly owned subsidiary of the corporation is a general partner or has a majority ownership shall be deemed to be so serving at the request of an executive officer of the corporation and entitled to indemnification and advancement of expenses under Section 9.1 and 9.3.

 

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SECTION 10. AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by the Board, except that the Board may not repeal or amend any Bylaw that the shareholders have expressly provided, in amending or repealing such Bylaw, may not be amended or repealed by the Board. The shareholders may also alter, amend and repeal these Bylaws or adopt new Bylaws; provided, however, that, to be effective, any amendment to change or eliminate a specified vote requirement of shareholders provided for in these Bylaws must be approved by the same vote as the specified vote requirement proposed to be amended.

SECTION 11. EXCLUSIVE FORUM

The Superior Court of Spokane County of the State of Washington shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the corporation; (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer of the corporation to the corporation or the corporation’s shareholders; (c) any action asserting a claim against the corporation arising under or pursuant to, or based on, any provision of the Washington Business Corporation Act or the corporation’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; or (d) any action asserting a claim against the corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

 

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The foregoing Amended and Restated Bylaws were adopted by the Board of Directors on February 24, 2022.

 

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