Officers' Certificate, dated as of November 8, 2024, delivered pursuant to Section 3.01 of the Indenture establishing the terms and form of the 3.875% Senior Notes due 2029

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Indenture Agreements
EX-4.2 2 tm2427884d1_ex4-2.htm EXHIBIT 4.2

 

Exhibit 4.2

 

Execution Version

 

WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
Officers’ Certificate Delivered Pursuant to
Section 301 of the Indenture dated as of September 10, 1997

 

November 8, 2024

 

The undersigned, the Vice President and Treasurer, and the Vice President and Corporate Secretary of Waste Management, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certify that:

 

1.            This Officers’ Certificate (this “Certificate”) is delivered to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the current successor to Texas Commerce Bank National Association), as trustee (the “Trustee”), pursuant to Sections 102 and 301 of the Indenture dated as of September 10, 1997 between the Company, formerly known as USA Waste Services, Inc., and the Trustee (the “Indenture”) in connection with the Company Order dated November 8, 2024 (the “Order”) for the authentication and delivery by the Trustee of $485,084,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.875% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Initial Notes” and, together with any Additional Notes (as defined herein) issued pursuant to this Certificate and any Exchange Notes (as defined in Exhibit A to this Certificate), the “Notes”).

 

2.            The undersigned have read Sections 102, 103, 301 and 303 of the Indenture and the definitions in the Indenture relating thereto.

 

3.            The statements made herein are based either upon the personal knowledge of the persons making this Certificate or on information, data and reports furnished to such persons by the officers, counsel, department heads or employees of the Company who have knowledge of the facts involved.

 

4.            The undersigned have examined the Order, and they have read the covenants, conditions and provisions of the Indenture relating thereto.

 

5.            In the opinion of the persons making this Certificate, they have made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable them to express an informed opinion as to whether or not all covenants and conditions provided for in the Indenture with respect to the Order have been complied with.

 

6.            All covenants and conditions (including all conditions precedent) provided in the Indenture to the authentication and delivery by the Trustee of $485,084,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes have been complied with, and such Notes may be delivered in accordance with the Order as provided in the Indenture.

 

7.            The terms of the Notes (including the Form of Note) as set forth in Annex A to this Certificate have been approved by officers of the Company as authorized by resolutions duly adopted on August 26, 2024 and October 3, 2024 by the Board of Directors of the Company, which are in full force and effect as of the date hereof.

 

[signature page follows]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have hereunto executed this Certificate as of the date first written above.

 

  /s/ Leslie K. Nagy
  Leslie K. Nagy
  Vice President and Treasurer
   
  /s/ Courtney A. Tippy
  Courtney A. Tippy
  Vice President and Corporate Secretary

 

WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.

Officers’ Certificate Delivered Pursuant to

Section 301 of the Indenture dated as of September 10, 1997

Signature Page

 

 

 

 

Annex A
Terms of the Notes

 

Pursuant to authority granted by the Board of Directors of the Company on August 26, 2024 and October 3, 2024 and the Sole Director of Waste Management Holdings, Inc. on September 5, 2024, the Company has approved the establishment, issuance, execution and delivery of a new series of Securities (as defined in the Indenture) to be issued under the Indenture dated as of September 10, 1997 (the “Indenture”), between the Company, formerly known as USA Waste Services, Inc., and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the current successor to Texas Commerce Bank National Association), as trustee (the “Trustee”), the terms of which are set forth below. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein are used herein as defined in the Indenture.

 

(1)The title of the series of Securities shall be “3.875% Senior Notes due 2029” (the “Notes”).

 

(2)The Notes shall be general unsecured, senior obligations of the Company.

 

(3)The Notes issued on the date hereof shall be transferred by the Company in connection with the settlement of the Company’s private offer to exchange any and all of the $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount outstanding of the 3.875% Senior Notes due 2029 issued by Stericycle, Inc., a Delaware corporation, for the Notes (the “Stericycle Exchange Offer”) to (a) “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in Rule 144A), in reliance on Rule 144A (“Rule 144A”) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and (b) persons other than U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S (“Regulation S”) promulgated under the Securities Act, in each case in accordance with Exhibit A to this Certificate.

 

(4)The initial aggregate principal amount of the Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture shall be $485,084,000 (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906 or 1107 of the Indenture); provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may be increased before or after the issuance of any Notes of such series by a Board Resolution (or action pursuant to a Board Resolution) to such effect.

 

(5)The principal amount of each Note shall be payable on January 15, 2029.

 

(6)Each Note shall bear interest from July 15, 2024 at the fixed rate of 3.875% per annum and the Company shall pay Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in Exhibit A to this Certificate)), if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement; the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable shall be January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing January 15, 2025, until maturity, unless such date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, in which case, such payment shall be made on the next day that is a Business Day. The Regular Record Date for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable shall be January 1 or July 1, respectively, immediately preceding such date, as the case may be.

 

 Annex A-1 

 

 

(7)The Company may issue, from time to time subsequent to the date hereof in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, additional notes of the Initial Notes (such notes, the “Additional Notes”) or the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Initial Notes of the same series as the Notes.

 

(8)If a “Change of Control Triggering Event” (as defined in the Notes) occurs, each Holder of the Notes may require the Company to purchase all or a portion of such Holder’s Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued interest, if any, to the date of purchase, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Notes.

 

(9)The Notes are to be issued as Registered Securities only. Each Note is to be issued as a book-entry note (“Book-Entry Note”) but in certain circumstances may be represented by Notes in definitive form. The Book-Entry Notes shall be issued, in whole or in part, in the form of one or more Notes in global form as contemplated by Section 203 of the Indenture. The Depositary with respect to the Book-Entry Notes shall be The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York.

 

(10)Payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest due on the Notes representing Book-Entry Notes on any Interest Payment Date or at maturity will be made available to the Trustee by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date, unless such date falls on a day which is not a Business Day, in which case such payments will be made available to the Trustee by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next Business Day. As soon as possible thereafter, the Trustee will make such payments to the Depositary.

 

(11)Prior to the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

 

(1) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined in the Notes), plus 10 basis points, less (b) interest accrued to the Redemption Date, and

 

(2) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed,

 

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

 

On or after the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

 

“Par Call Date” means December 15, 2028.

 

(12)The Company shall have no obligation to redeem, purchase or repay the Notes pursuant to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof.

 

 Annex A-2 

 

 

(13)The Notes will be subject to defeasance and discharge as contemplated by Section 1302 of the Indenture and to covenant defeasance under Section 1303 of the Indenture.

 

(14)The Notes shall be entitled to the benefit of the covenants contained in Sections 1008 and 1009 of the Indenture.

 

(15)The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. shall serve initially as Security Registrar and Paying Agent for the Notes.

 

(16)The Notes shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

 

(17)The Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Waste Management Holdings, Inc., pursuant to the terms and conditions of a Guarantee Agreement dated November 8, 2024 (the “Guarantee”). The amount of the Guarantee will be limited to the extent required under applicable fraudulent conveyance laws to cause the Guarantee to be enforceable. The terms and conditions of the Guarantee shall continue in full force and effect for the benefit of holders of the Notes until release thereof as set forth in Section 6 of the Guarantee.

 

(18)The Notes shall be subject to the satisfaction and discharge provisions set forth in Section 401 of the Indenture, as such provisions are supplemented or modified by the terms and conditions set forth in the Notes in accordance with the Indenture.

 

(19)Additional provisions relating to the Notes are set forth in Exhibit A, which is hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Certificate. Solely with respect to the Notes but not any other series of Securities which may be issued under the Indenture, the transfer and exchange provisions of Section 305 of the Indenture, solely to the extent they conflict with the provisions of Exhibit A, are hereby superseded by the provisions of Exhibit A.

 

 Annex A-3 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Provisions Relating to Initial Notes, Additional Notes and Exchange Notes

 

Section 1.1            Definitions.

 

(a)  Capitalized Terms.

 

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Exhibit A have the meanings given to them in the Indenture. The following capitalized terms have the following meanings:

 

Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or transaction involving a Global Note or beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of the Depositary for such Global Note, Euroclear or Clearstream, in each case to the extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.

 

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme, or any successor securities clearing agency.

 

Definitive Note” means a certificated Initial Note, Additional Note or Exchange Note issued pursuant to the Indenture (bearing the Restricted Notes Legend if the transfer of such Note is restricted by applicable law) that does not include the Global Notes Legend.

 

Distribution Compliance Period,” with respect to any Note, means the period beginning on November 8, 2024 and ending 40 days thereafter.

 

Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of Euroclear systems Clearance System or any successor securities clearing agency.

 

Exchange Note” means notes issued in an Exchange Offer pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Exchange Offer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Notes Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

 

Registration Rights Agreement” means (i) the registration rights agreement, dated as of November 8, 2024 among the Company, Waste Management Holdings, Inc., and the dealer managers party thereto and (ii) with respect to any Additional Notes, one or more substantially similar registration rights agreements among the Company, Waste Management Holdings, Inc., and the other parties thereto, as such agreements may be amended from time to time.

 

Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Exhibit A-1 

 

 

Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Transfer Restricted Notes” means Definitive Notes and any Notes in global form that bear or are required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

Unrestricted Global Note” means any Note in global form that does not bear or is not required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

U.S. person” means a “U.S. person” as defined in Regulation S.

 

(b)  Other Definitions.

 

Term: Defined in
Section
:
Agent Members 2.1(c)
Definitive Notes Legend 2.2(e)
ERISA Legend 2.2(b)
Global Note 2.1(b)
Global Notes Legend 2.2(e)
OID Notes Legend 2.2(e)
Regulation S Global Note 2.1(b)
Regulation S Notes 2.1(a)
Restricted Notes Legend 2.2(e)
Rule 144A Global Note 2.1(b)
Rule 144A Notes 2.1(a)

 

Section 2.1            Form and Dating

 

(a)  The Initial Notes issued on the date hereof shall be transferred by the Company in connection with the settlement of the Stericycle Exchange Offer to (1) “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in Rule 144A) in reliance on Rule 144A (“Rule 144A Notes”) and (2) Persons other than U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S (“Regulation S Notes”). Additional Notes may also be considered to be Rule 144A Notes or Regulation S Notes, as applicable.

 

(b)  Global Notes. Rule 144A Notes shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent Global Notes in definitive, fully registered form, numbered RA-1 upward (collectively, the “Rule 144A Global Note”) and Regulation S Notes shall be issued initially in the form of one or more Global Notes, numbered RS-1 upward (collectively, the “Regulation S Global Note”), in each case without interest coupons and bearing the Global Notes Legend and Restricted Notes Legend, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Notes Custodian, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in the Indenture. The Rule 144A Global Note, the Regulation S Global Note and any Unrestricted Global Note are each referred to herein as a “Global Note” and are collectively referred to herein as “Global Notes.” Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Definitive Security” attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Notes Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.2(b) of this Exhibit A.

 

Exhibit A-2 

 

 

(c)  Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 2.1(c) shall apply only to a Global Note deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary.

 

The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.1(c) and Section 303 of the Indenture and pursuant to a Company Order signed by one authorized officer of the Company, authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Notes that (i) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Note or Global Notes or the nominee of such Depositary and (ii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions or held by the Trustee as Notes Custodian.

 

Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under the Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Trustee as Notes Custodian or under such Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.

 

(d)  Definitive Notes. Except as provided in Section 2.2 or Section 2.3 of this Exhibit A, owners of beneficial interests in Global Notes shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Notes.

 

Section 2.2            Transfer and Exchange.

 

(a)  Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. When Definitive Notes are presented to the Security Registrar with a Company Request:

 

(i)  to register the transfer of such Definitive Notes; or

 

(ii)  to exchange such Definitive Notes for an equal principal amount of Definitive Notes of other authorized denominations,

 

the Security Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Definitive Notes surrendered for transfer or exchange:

 

(1)  shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing; and

 

Exhibit A-3 

 

 

(2)  in the case of Transfer Restricted Notes, they are being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to Section 2.2(b) of this Exhibit A or otherwise in accordance with the Restricted Notes Legend, and are accompanied by a certification from the transferor in the form provided on the reverse side of the Form of Note in Exhibit B to this Certificate for exchange or registration of transfers and, as applicable, delivery of such legal opinions, certifications and other information as may be requested pursuant thereto.

 

(b)  Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Note for a Beneficial Interest in a Global Note. A Definitive Note may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Global Note except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive Note, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar, together with:

 

(i)  a certification from the transferor in the form provided on the reverse side of the Form of Note in Exhibit B to this Certificate for exchange or registration of transfers and, as applicable, delivery of such legal opinions, certifications and other information as may be requested pursuant thereto; and

 

(ii)  written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to direct the Notes Custodian to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Global Note to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented by the Global Note, such instructions to contain information regarding the Depositary account to be credited with such increase,

 

the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Note and cause, or direct the Notes Custodian to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary and the Notes Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by the Global Note to be increased by the aggregate principal amount of the Definitive Note to be exchanged and shall credit or cause to be credited to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Global Note equal to the principal amount of the Definitive Note so canceled. If the applicable Global Note is not then outstanding, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon Company Order in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, a new applicable Global Note in the appropriate principal amount.

 

(c)  Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes.

 

(i)  The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 2.2(d) of this Exhibit A, if any) and the procedures of the Depositary therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall deliver to the Security Registrar a written order given in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depositary to be credited with a beneficial interest in such Global Note, or another Global Note, and such account shall be credited in accordance with such order with a beneficial interest in the applicable Global Note and the account of the Person making the transfer shall be debited by an amount equal to the beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred.

 

Exhibit A-4 

 

 

(ii)  If the proposed transfer is a transfer of a beneficial interest in one Global Note to a beneficial interest in another Global Note, the Security Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Global Note to which such interest is being transferred in an amount equal to the principal amount of the interest to be so transferred, and the Security Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a corresponding decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note from which such interest is being transferred.

 

(iii)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Exhibit A (other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.3 of this Exhibit A), a Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole and not in part if the transfer is by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.

 

(d)  Restrictions on Transfer of Global Notes; Voluntary Exchange of Interests in Transfer Restricted Global Notes for Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes.

 

(i)  Transfers by an owner of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note to a transferee who takes delivery of such interest through another Transfer Restricted Global Note shall be made in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and the Restricted Notes Legend and only upon receipt by the Trustee of a certification from the transferor in the form provided on the reverse side of the Form of Note in Exhibit B to this Certificate for exchange or registration of transfers and, as applicable, delivery of such legal opinions, certifications and other information as may be requested pursuant thereto. In addition, in the case of a transfer of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note, the transferee must furnish a certification or a signed letter in the form provided on the reverse side of the Form of Note in Exhibit B to this Certificate to the Trustee.

 

(ii)  During the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial ownership interests in the Regulation S Global Note may only be sold, pledged or transferred through Euroclear or Clearstream in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, the Restricted Notes Legend on such Regulation S Global Note and any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States of America. Prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, transfers by an owner of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note shall be made only in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and the Restricted Notes Legend and upon receipt by the Trustee of a written certification from the transferor of the beneficial interest in the form provided on the reverse side of the Form of Note in Exhibit B to this Certificate for exchange or registration of transfers and, in the case of a transfer to a transferee who takes delivery of such interest through a Rule 144A Global Note, the transferee must furnish a certification or a signed letter in the form provided on the reverse side of the Form of Note in Exhibit B to this Certificate to the Trustee. Such written certifications or letter shall no longer be required after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period. Upon the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial ownership interests in the Regulation S Global Note shall be transferable in accordance with applicable law and the other terms of the Indenture.

 

Exhibit A-5 

 

 

(iii)  Upon the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may be exchanged for beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note upon certification in the form provided on the reverse side of the Form of Note in Exhibit B to this Certificate for an exchange from a Regulation S Global Note to an Unrestricted Global Note.

 

(iv)  Beneficial interests in a Transfer Restricted Note that is a Rule 144A Global Note may be exchanged for beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note (a) if the Holder certifies in writing to the Security Registrar that its request for such exchange is in respect of a transfer made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse side of the Form of Note in Exhibit B to this Certificate) and/or upon delivery of such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company or the Trustee may reasonably request or (b) if the Company undertakes a mandatory exchange of such Transfer Restricted Note in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, upon consummation of such mandatory exchange.

 

(v)  If no Unrestricted Global Note is outstanding at the time of a transfer contemplated by the preceding clauses (iii) and (iv), the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon Company Order in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, a new Unrestricted Global Note in the appropriate principal amount.

 

(e)  Legends.

 

(i)  Except as permitted by Section 2.2(d), this Section 2.2(e) and Section 2.2(i) of this Exhibit A, each Note certificate evidencing the Global Notes and the Definitive Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) sold pursuant to Rule 144A shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (each defined term in the legend being defined as such for purposes of the legend only) (“Rule 144A Legend”):

 

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION.

 

Exhibit A-6 

 

 

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY), ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER,” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH, OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO PERSONS WHO ARE NOT U.S. PERSONS WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.

 

Each Note certificate evidencing the Global Notes and the Definitive Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) sold pursuant to Regulation S shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (each defined term in the legend being defined as such for purposes of the legend only) (“Regulation S Legend” and, together with the Rule 144A Legend, the “Restricted Notes Legend”):

 

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION.

 

Exhibit A-7 

 

 

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“REGULATION S”), AND (2) AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE DATE THE SECURITIES ARE OFFERED TO PERSONS OTHER THAN DISTRIBUTORS (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S) AND THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF (SUCH PERIOD, THE “40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD”), ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO PERSONS WHO ARE NOT U.S. PERSONS WITHIN THE MEANING OF, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH, REGULATION S, (E) PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED FOLLOWING THE EXPIRATION OF THE 40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S.

 

Each Definitive Note shall bear the following additional legend (“Definitive Notes Legend”):

 

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE SECURITY REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH SECURITY REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

 

Each Global Note shall bear the following additional legend (“Global Notes Legend”):

 

THIS SECURITY IS A BOOK-ENTRY SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITORY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN SUCH LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

Exhibit A-8 

 

 

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS IN THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF AND IN THIS CERTIFICATE.

 

Each Note shall bear the following additional legend (“ERISA Legend”):

 

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (A) NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED BY SUCH HOLDER TO ACQUIRE AND HOLD THIS SECURITY CONSTITUTES ASSETS OF AN “EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN” AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(3) OF THE U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”) THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA, OF ANY PLAN, ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) OR ANY PROVISIONS UNDER ANY FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (“SIMILAR LAWS”), OR OF ANY ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY SUCH PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENT, OR (B) THE PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY BY SUCH HOLDER WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A NONEXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS.

 

Exhibit A-9 

 

 

Any Note issued with original issue discount will also bear the following additional legend (“OID Notes Legend”):

 

THIS NOTE HAS BEEN ISSUED WITH “ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 1273 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED) FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, THE COMPANY WILL PROMPTLY MAKE AVAILABLE TO ANY HOLDER OF THIS NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: (1) THE ISSUE PRICE AND DATE OF THE NOTE, (2) THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT ON THE NOTE AND (3) THE YIELD TO MATURITY OF THE NOTE. HOLDERS SHOULD CONTACT THE TREASURER OF THE COMPANY AT 800 CAPITOL STREET, SUITE 3000, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002.

 

(ii)  Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Note that is a Definitive Note, the Security Registrar shall permit the Holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Restricted Notes Legend and the Definitive Notes Legend and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Note if the Holder certifies in writing to the Security Registrar that its request for such exchange is in respect of a transfer made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse side of the Form of Note in Exhibit B to this Certificate) and provides such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company or the Trustee may reasonably request.

 

(iii)  After a transfer of any Initial Notes or Additional Notes during the period of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) with respect to such Initial Notes or Additional Notes, as the case may be, all requirements pertaining to the Restricted Notes Legend on such Initial Notes or Additional Notes shall cease to apply and the requirements that any such Initial Notes or Additional Notes be issued in global form shall continue to apply.

 

(iv)  Upon the consummation of an Exchange Offer with respect to the Initial Notes or Additional Notes pursuant to which Holders of such Initial Notes or Additional Notes are offered Exchange Notes in exchange for their Initial Notes or Additional Notes, all requirements pertaining to Initial Notes or Additional Notes that Initial Notes or Additional Notes be issued in global form shall continue to apply, and Exchange Notes in global form without the Restricted Notes Legend shall be available to Holders that exchange such Initial Notes or Additional Notes in such Exchange Offer.

 

(v)  Any Additional Notes sold in a registered offering shall not be required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

(f)  Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note. At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Note have either been exchanged for Definitive Notes, transferred in exchange for an interest in another Global Note, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, such Global Note shall be returned by the Depositary to the Trustee for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Trustee. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes, transferred in exchange for an interest in another Global Note, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is then the Notes Custodian for such Global Note) with respect to such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Notes Custodian, to reflect such reduction.

 

Exhibit A-10 

 

 

(g)  Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes.

 

(i)  To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate, Definitive Notes and Global Notes at the Security Registrar’s request.

 

(ii)  No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 304, 906 or 1107 of the Indenture not involving any transfer).

 

(iii)  Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Security Registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Security Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(iv)  All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of the Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under the Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

 

(v)  In order to effect any transfer or exchange of an interest in any Transfer Restricted Note for an interest in a Note that does not bear the Restricted Notes Legend and has not been registered under the Securities Act, if the Security Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel, in form reasonably acceptable to the Security Registrar to the effect that no registration under the Securities Act is required in respect of such exchange or transfer or the re-sale of such interest by the beneficial holder thereof, shall be required to be delivered to the Security Registrar and the Trustee.

 

(h)  No Obligation of the Trustee.

 

(i)  The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depositary or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes, or compliance with restrictions on transfer imposed under the Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Security). All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to the registered Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

 

Exhibit A-11 

 

 

(ii)  The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under the Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of the Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

(iii)  Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility or liability for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

(iv)  The terms of this Section 2.2 shall control over any terms to the contrary in the Indenture.

 

(i)  Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a Company Order in accordance with Section 303 of the Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate (i) one or more Global Notes without the Restricted Notes Legend in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amounts of the beneficial interests in the Global Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that provide in the applicable letters of transmittal such certifications as are required by the Registration Rights Agreement and applicable law, and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer and (ii) Definitive Notes without the Restricted Notes Legend in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Definitive Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that provide in the applicable letters of transmittal such certification as are required by the Registration Rights Agreement and applicable law, and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer. Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Notes with the Restricted Notes Legend to be reduced accordingly, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Persons designated by the Holders of the Definitive Notes so accepted Definitive Notes without the Restricted Notes Legend in the applicable principal amount. Any Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of the Exchange Offer, and Exchange Notes issued in connection with the Exchange Offer, shall be treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture.

 

Exhibit A-12 

 

 

Section 2.3            Definitive Notes.

 

(a)  A Global Note deposited with the Depositary or with the Trustee as Notes Custodian pursuant to Section 2.1 of this Exhibit A or issued in connection with an Exchange Offer may be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Note, in exchange for such Global Note, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.2 of this Exhibit A and (i) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a Depositary for such Global Note or if at any time the Depositary ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and, in each case, a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice or after the Company becomes aware of such cessation, or (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Security Registrar has received a request from the Depository. In addition, any Affiliate of the Company that is a beneficial owner of all or part of a Global Note may have such Affiliate’s beneficial interest transferred to such Affiliate in the form of a Definitive Note by providing a written request to the Company and the Trustee and such Opinions of Counsel, certificates or other information as may be required by the Indenture or the Company or Trustee.

 

(b)  Any Global Note that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall be surrendered by the Depositary to the Trustee, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations. Any portion of a Global Note transferred pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof and registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct. Any Definitive Note delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Note that is a Transfer Restricted Note shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.2(e) of this Exhibit A, bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

(c)  The registered Holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under the Indenture or the Notes.

 

(d)  In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 2.3(a) of this Exhibit A, the Company shall promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Definitive Notes in fully registered form without interest coupons.

 

Exhibit A-13 

 

 

Exhibit B

 

Form of Note

 

Exhibit B-1 

 

 

[Global Note Legend]

 

THIS SECURITY IS A BOOK-ENTRY SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITORY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN SUCH LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS IN THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF AND IN THIS CERTIFICATE.

 

[Definitive Notes Legend]

 

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE SECURITY REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH SECURITY REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

 

[ERISA Legend]

 

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (A) NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED BY SUCH HOLDER TO ACQUIRE AND HOLD THIS SECURITY CONSTITUTES ASSETS OF AN “EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN” AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(3) OF THE U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”) THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA, OF ANY PLAN, ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) OR ANY PROVISIONS UNDER ANY FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (“SIMILAR LAWS”), OR OF ANY ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY SUCH PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENT, OR (B) THE PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY BY SUCH HOLDER WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A NONEXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS.

 

 

 

 

[OID Notes Legend]

 

THIS NOTE HAS BEEN ISSUED WITH “ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 1273 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED) FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, THE COMPANY WILL PROMPTLY MAKE AVAILABLE TO ANY HOLDER OF THIS NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: (1) THE ISSUE PRICE AND DATE OF THE NOTE, (2) THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT ON THE NOTE AND (3) THE YIELD TO MATURITY OF THE NOTE. HOLDERS SHOULD CONTACT THE TREASURER OF THE COMPANY AT 800 CAPITOL STREET, SUITE 3000, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002.

 

[Rule 144A Legend]

 

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION.

 

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY), ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER,” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH, OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO PERSONS WHO ARE NOT U.S. PERSONS WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.

 

 

 

 

[Regulation S Legend]

 

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION.

 

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“REGULATION S”), AND (2) AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE DATE THE SECURITIES ARE OFFERED TO PERSONS OTHER THAN DISTRIBUTORS (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S) AND THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF (SUCH PERIOD, THE “40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD”), ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO PERSONS WHO ARE NOT U.S. PERSONS WITHIN THE MEANING OF, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH, REGULATION S, (E) PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED FOLLOWING THE EXPIRATION OF THE 40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S.

 

 

 

 

No.   Principal Amount
 

 

 

 

WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.

$                    , which may be decreased by the Schedule of Exchanges of Definitive Security attached hereto
     
  3.875% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029  
          CUSIP__________

 

WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” which term includes any successors under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns, at the office or agency of the Company, the principal sum of                      Million ($                    ) U.S. dollars, or such lesser principal sum as is shown on the attached Schedule of Exchanges of Definitive Security, on January 15, 2029 in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest at an annual rate of 3.875% payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year, to the person in whose name this Security is registered at the close of business on the record date for such interest, which shall be the preceding January 1 or July 1, respectively, payable commencing January 15, 2025, with interest accruing from July 15, 2024, or the most recent date to which interest has been paid.

 

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

 

The statements in the legends set forth above are an integral part of the terms of this Security and by acceptance hereof the Holder of this Security agrees to be subject to, and bound by, the terms and provisions set forth in each such legend.

 

This Security is issued in respect of a series of Securities of an initial aggregate of $485,084,000 in principal amount designated as the 3.875% Senior Notes due 2029 of the Company and is governed by the Indenture dated as of September 10, 1997, duly executed and delivered by the Company, formerly known as USA Waste Services, Inc., to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the current successor to Texas Commerce Bank National Association) as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by Board Resolutions (as defined in the Indenture) (such Indenture and Board Resolutions, collectively, the “Indenture”). The terms of the Indenture are incorporated herein by reference. This Security shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits as definitive Securities under the Indenture.

 

 

 

 

If and to the extent that any provision of the Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with any other provision of the Indenture that is required to be included in the Indenture or is deemed applicable to the Indenture by virtue of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, such required provision shall control.

 

The Company hereby irrevocably undertakes to the Holder hereof to exchange this Security in accordance with the terms of the Indenture without charge.

 

 

 

 

This Security shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the Certificate of Authentication hereon shall have been manually signed by the Trustee under the Indenture.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.

 

Dated:   WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.,
    a Delaware corporation
     
    By:  
      Leslie K. Nagy
      Vice President and Treasurer
     
    Attest:
     
    By:  
      Courtney A. Tippy
      Vice President and Corporate Secretary

 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Date of Authentication:   The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee
     
    By:  
      Authorized Officer

 

 

 

 

REVERSE OF BOOK-ENTRY SECURITY

 

WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

3.875% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029

 

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Company (the “Debt Securities”) of the series hereinafter specified, all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to the Indenture, to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of the Debt Securities. The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest (if any) at different rates, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds (if any) and may otherwise vary as provided in the Indenture. This Security is one of a series designated as the 3.875% Senior Notes due 2029 of the Company, in initial aggregate principal amount of $485,084,000 (the “Securities”).

 

1.            Interest.

 

The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Security at the rate of 3.875% per annum and Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

The Company will pay interest semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year (each an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing January 15, 2025. Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid on the Securities, from July 15, 2024. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy laws) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) and on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate of 3.875% per annum, in each case to the extent lawful.

 

2.            Method of Payment.

 

The Company shall pay interest on the Securities (except Defaulted Interest) to the persons who are the registered Holders at the close of business on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for (“Defaulted Interest”) may be paid to the persons who are registered Holders at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, or in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may then be listed if such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee, as more fully provided in the Indenture. Except as provided below, the Company shall pay principal and interest in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for payment of public and private debts (“U.S. Legal Tender”). Payments in respect of a Book-Entry Security (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Depository. Payments in respect of Securities in definitive form (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, which initially will be at the corporate trust office of The Bank of New York Mellon, located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York, 10286 or at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders on the Regular Record Date or on the Special Record Date at their addresses set forth in the Security Register of Holders.

 

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3.            Paying Agent and Registrar.

 

Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar at any time upon notice to the Trustee and the Holders. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may, subject to certain exceptions, act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar.

 

4.            Indenture.

 

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of Debt Securities of the Company issued and to be issued in one or more series under the Indenture.

 

Capitalized terms herein are used as defined in the Indenture unless otherwise defined herein. The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto, those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in effect on the date of the Indenture, and those terms stated in the Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee, duly authorized by resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company on August 26, 2024 and October 3, 2024 (the “Resolutions”) and the written consent of the Sole Director of Waste Management Holdings, Inc. on September 5, 2024 (the “Consent”). The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Holders of Securities are referred to the Indenture, all indentures supplemental thereto, said Act, said Resolutions and said Consent and Officers’ Certificate for a statement of them. The Securities of this series are general unsecured obligations of the Company limited with an initial aggregate principal amount of $485,084,000.

 

5.            Redemption.

 

Prior to the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem the Securities at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

 

(1) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the Securities matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate, plus 10 basis points, less (b) interest accrued to the Redemption Date, and

 

(2) 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed,

 

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

 

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On or after the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem the Securities at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

 

“Par Call Date” means December 15, 2028.

 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

 

The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily) - H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to the Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the Redemption Date.

 

If on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date H.15 TCM or any successor designation or publication is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding such Redemption Date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.

 

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The Company’s actions and determinations in determining the Redemption Price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Company will notify the Trustee of the Redemption Price promptly after the calculation thereof and the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any calculation of the Redemption Price or of any component thereof, or for determining whether manifest error has occurred.

 

Securities called for redemption become due on the Redemption Date. Notices of redemption will be mailed or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures) at least 10 but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each holder of record of the Securities to be redeemed at its registered address. The notice of redemption for the Securities will state, among other things, the amount of Securities to be redeemed, the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price or, if not ascertainable, the manner of determining the Redemption Price and the place(s) that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of Securities to be redeemed. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price, interest will cease to accrue on any Securities that have been called for redemption at the Redemption Date. If less than all the Securities are redeemed at any time, the Trustee will select the Securities to be redeemed on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion deems appropriate and fair. In the case of Securities in global form, the Depositary will determine the allocation of the Redemption Price among beneficial owners in such global Securities in accordance with the Depositary’s applicable procedures.

 

Except as set forth above, the Securities will not be redeemable prior to their Stated Maturity and will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

 

The Securities may be redeemed in part in a minimum principal amount of $2,000, or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

Any such redemption will also comply with Article Eleven of the Indenture.

 

6.            Change of Control Offer.

 

If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, unless the Company has exercised its option to redeem the Securities as described in Section 5, the Company shall make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder of the Securities to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Securities on the terms set forth herein. In a Change of Control Offer, the Company shall offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities repurchased (a “Change of Control Payment”), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Securities repurchased to the date of repurchase, subject to the right of holders of record on the applicable record date to receive interest due on the next Interest Payment Date.

 

Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control, but after public announcement of the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice to Holders of the Securities describing the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase such Securities on the date specified in the applicable notice, which date shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (a “Change of Control Payment Date”). The notice may, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the Change of Control Offer is conditioned on the Change of Control Triggering Event occurring on or prior to the applicable Change of Control Payment Date.

 

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Upon the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful:

 

·accept for payment all Securities or portions of Securities properly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

·deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Securities or portions of Securities properly tendered; and

 

·deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Securities properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities or portions of Securities being repurchased.

 

The Company need not make a Change of Control Offer upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company and the third party repurchases all Securities properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer. In addition, the Company shall not repurchase any Securities if there has occurred and is continuing on the Change of Control Payment Date an Event of Default under the Indenture, other than a default in the payment of the Change of Control Payment upon a Change of Control Triggering Event.

 

The Company will comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Securities as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Offer provisions of this Security, the Company will comply with those securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control Offer provisions of this Security by virtue of any such conflict.

 

For purposes of the Change of Control Offer provisions of the Securities, the following terms are applicable:

 

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or more series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets and the assets of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person, other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries; (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any person becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or other Voting Stock into which the Company’s Voting Stock is reclassified, consolidated, exchanged or changed, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; (3) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any person, or any person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or the Voting Stock of such other person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the shares of the Voting Stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving person or any direct or indirect parent company of the surviving person, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, immediately after giving effect to such transaction; or (4) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

5 

 

 

Notwithstanding the preceding, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control under clause (2) above if (i) the Company becomes a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company and (ii)(A) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to that transaction or (B) immediately following that transaction no person (other than a holding company satisfying the requirements of this sentence) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such holding company. The term “person,” as used in this definition, has the meaning given thereto in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

 

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Event.

 

“Fitch” means Fitch Inc. and its successors.

 

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than BBB- (or the equivalent) by Fitch, Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any replacement Rating Agency or Rating Agencies selected by the Company.

 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.

 

“Rating Agencies” means (1) each of Fitch, Moody’s and S&P and (2) if any of Fitch, Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Securities or fails to make a rating of the Securities publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act selected by the Company (as certified by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company) as a replacement agency for Fitch, Moody’s or S&P, or all of them, as the case may be.

 

“Rating Event” means the rating on the Securities is lowered by at least two of the three Rating Agencies and the Securities are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by at least two of the three Rating Agencies, in any case on any day during the period (which period will be extended so long as the rating of the Securities is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any of the rating agencies) commencing 60 days prior to the first public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or the Company’s intention to effect a Change of Control and ending 60 days following consummation of such Change of Control.

 

6 

 

 

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and its successors.

 

“Voting Stock” means, with respect to any specified “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) as of any date, the capital stock of such person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors of such person.

 

7.            Denominations; Transfer; Exchange.

 

The Securities are issued in registered form, without coupons, in a minimum denomination of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A Holder may register the transfer of, or exchange, Securities in accordance with the Indenture and the Officers’ Certificate. The Securities Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.

 

8.            Person Deemed Owners.

 

The registered Holder of a Security may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

9.            Amendment; Supplement; Waiver.

 

Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture may be amended or supplemented, and any existing Event of Default or compliance with any provision may be waived, with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected. Without consent of any Holder, the parties thereto may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Securities to, among other things, cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or make any other change that does not adversely affect the interests of any Holder of a Security in any material respect. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security (unless revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of this Security and any Securities which may be issued in exchange or substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation thereof is made upon this Security or such other Securities.

 

10.          Defaults and Remedies.

 

If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding may declare the principal amount of all the Securities to be due and payable immediately in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, however, if at any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made and before judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as provided in the Indenture, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if (1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (A) all overdue interest on all Securities, (B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate prescribed therefor herein, (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate prescribed therefor herein, and (D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and (2) all Events of Default under the Indenture with respect to the Securities, other than the nonpayment of the principal of Securities which has become due solely by such declaration acceleration, shall have been cured or shall have been waived. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Event of Default or shall impair any right consequent thereon. Holders of Securities may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the Indenture or the Securities. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.

 

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11.          Trustee Dealings with Company.

 

The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company and its Affiliates and any subsidiary of the Company’s Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company and its Affiliates as if it were not the Trustee.

 

12.          Authentication.

 

This Security shall not be valid until the Trustee or authenticating agent signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Security.

 

13.          Abbreviations and Defined Terms.

 

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder of a Security or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (tenant in common), TEN ENT (tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (Custodian), and U/G/M/A (Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

14.          CUSIP Numbers.

 

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Note Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Securities as a convenience to the Holders of the Securities. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such number as printed on the Securities and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed hereon.

 

15.          Absolute Obligation.

 

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Security in the manner, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.

 

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16.          No Recourse.

 

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, past, present or future stockholder, officer or director, as such of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Security by the Holder and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Security.

 

17.          Additional Rights of Holders.

 

In addition to the rights provided to Holders under the Indenture, Holders shall have all the rights set forth in a Registration Rights Agreement, including the right to receive Additional Interest, if any.

 

18.          Governing Law.

 

This Security shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

19.          Guarantee.

 

The Securities will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Waste Management Holdings, Inc., pursuant to the terms and conditions of a Guarantee, dated as of November 8, 2024 (the “Guarantee”). The amount of the Guarantee will be limited to the extent required under applicable fraudulent conveyance laws to cause the Guarantee to be enforceable. The terms and conditions of the Guarantee shall continue in full force and effect for the benefit of holders of the Securities until release thereof as set forth in Section 6 of the Guarantee.

 

20.          Satisfaction and Discharge.

 

The Securities will be subject to Section 401 of the Indenture; provided, however, that solely with respect to the Securities, Section 401(1)(B) of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

“(B) all such Securities and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below, any coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:

 

(i)            have become due and payable, or

 

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

 

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(iii)          are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company;

 

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds, U.S. Legal Tender, U.S. Governmental Obligations or a combination thereof, an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities and coupons not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and any interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be (provided that, upon any redemption that requires the payment of any make-whole or other premium, (x) the amount of cash that must be deposited shall be determined using an assumed applicable premium calculated as of the date of such deposit and (y) the Company shall deposit any deficit in trust on or prior to the Redemption Date as necessary to pay the applicable premium as determined by such date). For purposes of this section, “U.S. Governmental Obligations” means direct non-callable obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged.”

 

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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF DEFINITIVE SECURITY

 

The following exchanges of a part of this Book-Entry Security for definitive Securities have been made:

 

Date of Exchange   

 

Amount of
decrease in
Principal Amount
of this Book-Entry
Security

    

Amount of
increase in
Principal Amount
of this Book-Entry
Security

    

Principal Amount
of this Book-Entry
Security following
such decrease (or
increase)

    

Signature of
authorized officer
of Trustee or
Security Custodian

 
                     
                     
                     

 

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