RS 12:135 Definitions - Louisiana Statutes

§135.  Definitions

As used in R.S. 12:135 through 140.2:

(1)  "Control shares" means shares that, except for the provisions of R.S. 12:135 through 140.2, would have voting power with respect to shares of an issuing public corporation that, when added to all other shares of the issuing public corporation owned by a person or in respect to which that person may exercise or direct the exercise of voting power, would entitle that person, immediately after acquisition of the shares, directly or indirectly, alone or as a part of a group, to exercise or direct the exercise of the voting power of the issuing public corporation in the election of directors within any of the following ranges of voting power:

(a)  One-fifth or more but less than one-third of all voting power.

(b)  One-third or more but less than a majority of all voting power.

(c)  A majority or more of all voting power.

(2)(a)  "Control share acquisition" means the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person of ownership of, or the power to direct the exercise of voting power with respect to, issued and outstanding control shares.

(b)  For purposes of this Paragraph, shares acquired within ninety days or shares acquired pursuant to a plan to make a control share acquisition are considered to have been acquired in the same acquisition.

(c)  For purposes of this Paragraph, a person who acquires shares in the ordinary course of business for the benefit of others in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of R.S. 12:135 through 140.2 has voting power only of shares in respect of which that person would be able to exercise or direct the exercise of votes without further instruction from others.

(d)  The acquisition of any shares of an issuing public corporation does not constitute a control share acquisition if the acquisition is consummated in any of the following circumstances:

(i)  Before May 4, 1987.

(ii)  Pursuant to a contract existing before May 4, 1987 or pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer made in writing before May 4, 1987 for any securities of an issuing public corporation whether the time for acceptance is extended on or after May 4, 1987, whether the offeror waives any conditions of the offer on or after May 4, 1987, and whether the transaction is closed on or after May 4, 1987.

(iii)  Pursuant to the laws of successions, descent, and distribution.

(iv)  Pursuant to the satisfaction of a pledge or other security interest created in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of R.S. 12:135 through 140.2.

(v)  Pursuant to a merger, consolidation, or share exchange effected in compliance with Part XI of this Chapter if the issuing public corporation, or a wholly-owned subsidiary thereof, is a party of the agreement of merger or consolidation or the plan of exchange.

(vi)  By an employee benefit plan or related trust of the issuing public corporation.

(e)  The acquisition of shares of an issuing public corporation in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of R.S. 12:135 through 140.2 by or from:

(i)  Any person whose voting rights had previously been authorized by shareholders in compliance with the provisions of R.S. 12:135 through 140.2; or

(ii)  Any person whose previous acquisition of shares of an issuing public corporation would have constituted a control share acquisition but for Subparagraph (d) of this Paragraph

does not constitute a control share acquisition, unless the acquisition entitles any person, directly or indirectly, alone or as a part of a group, to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power of the corporation in the election of directors in excess of the range of the voting power otherwise authorized.

(3)  "Interested shares" means the shares of an issuing public corporation in respect of which any of the following persons may exercise or direct the exercise of the voting power of the corporation in the election of directors:

(a)  An acquiring person or member of a group with respect to a control share acquisition.

(b)  Any officer of the issuing public corporation.

(c)  Any employee of the issuing public corporation who is also a director of the corporation.

(4)  "Issuing public corporation" means a corporation that has:

(a)  One hundred or more shareholders;

(b)  Its principal place of business, its principal office, or substantial assets, whether owned directly or through one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries, within Louisiana; and

(c)  One or more of the following:

(i)  More than ten percent of its shareholders reside in Louisiana.

(ii)  More than ten percent of its shares owned by Louisiana residents.

(iii)  Ten thousand shareholders reside in Louisiana.

(5)  The residence of a shareholder is presumed to be the address appearing in the records of the corporation.  Shares held by banks, except when held as trustee, guardian, or tutor, by brokers, or by nominees shall be disregarded for purposes of calculating the percentages or numbers described in Paragraph (4).

(6)  For purposes of Paragraph (4):

(a)  "Substantial assets" means assets having a value of at least five million dollars;

(b)  "Value" means:

(i)  In the case of assets other than cash or securities, the value of the property as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the corporation; and

(ii)  In the case of securities, the highest closing sale price during the thirty day period immediately preceding the date in question of a security on the composite tape for New York Stock Exchange listed securities or, if the securities are not quoted on the composite tape or not listed on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal United States securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on which the securities are listed or, if the securities are not listed on any such exchange, on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., Automated Quotations National Market System or, if the securities are not quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., Automated Quotations National Market System, the highest closing bid quotation during the thirty day period preceding the date in question of a security on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., Automated Quotations System or any system then in use or, if no such quotation is available, the fair market value on the date in question of a security as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the corporation; and

(c)  "Within Louisiana" means:

(i)  In a case of corporeal property, the presence of such corporeal property within Louisiana;

(ii)  In the case of incorporeal property represented by a written instrument, the presence of such written instrument within Louisiana; and

(iii)  In the case of incorporeal property not represented by a written instrument, the presence of the commercial domicile of the corporation within Louisiana.

Acts 1987, No. 62, §1, eff. June 11, 1987; Acts 1988, No. 455, §1, eff. July 10, 1988; Acts 1990, No. 613, §1; Acts 1990, No. 849, §1, eff. for taxable years after Dec. 31, 1989.