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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 2005
Registration No. ________________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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43-1698480 |
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
7500 College Boulevard, Suite 1000, Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 661-1500
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of registrants principal executive office)
Kevin T. Kelly
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Ferrellgas, Inc.
7500 College Boulevard, Suite 1000, Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 661-1500
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of registrants agent for service)
Copies to:
David L. Ronn
Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP
700 Louisiana Street, Suite 3600
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 546-0525
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the
effective date of this registration statement, as determined in light of market conditions and
other factors.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities
offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.
þ
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities
Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the
following box. o
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY
TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY
STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL
BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION
8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
______________________
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed maximum |
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Proposed maximum |
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Title of each class |
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Number of |
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offering price per |
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aggregate offering |
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of securities to be |
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securities to be |
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security |
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price |
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Amount of |
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registered |
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registered |
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(1) |
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(1) |
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registration fee (1) |
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Common Units |
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3,972,409 |
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$ |
20.75 |
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$ |
82,427,487 |
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$ |
9,644.02 |
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(1) Estimated solely to calculate the registration fee under Rule 457(c) of the Securities
Act, based on the average of the high and low prices of the registrants common units, as reported
on the New York Stock Exchange on December 6, 2005.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed.
We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an
offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 7, 2005
PROSPECTUS
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
3,972,409 Common Units
representing limited partner interests
This
prospectus has been prepared for use in connection with the proposed offering and
sale of up to 3,972,409 common units representing limited partner interests in Ferrellgas Partners,
L.P. by or for the account of the selling holder of common units identified in the Selling
Unitholder section of this prospectus, and his permitted assigns. We initially sold the common
units offered by this prospectus to the selling unitholder pursuant to private placements. We are
registering these common units pursuant to our commitment to register the common units and upon the
approval of the board of directors of our general partner. See Selling Unitholder. The common
units may be sold from time to time by or for the account of the selling unitholder in the
over-the-counter market, on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise, at prices and on terms then
prevailing or at prices related to the then current market price, at fixed prices that may be
changed or in negotiated transactions at negotiated prices.
We will receive no portion of the proceeds from the sale of the common units. We will pay the
costs and expenses of the registration and offering of the common units, estimated to be
approximately $29,644, other than discounts and commissions and other expenses to be paid by the
selling unitholder.
The common units may be sold by any one or more of the following methods:
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block trade, which may involve crosses, in which the broker or dealer so
engaged will attempt to sell the common units as agent but may position and resell a
portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; |
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purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by such broker or
dealer for its account pursuant to this prospectus; |
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exchange distributions and/or secondary distributions in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange; |
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ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchasers; and |
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privately negotiated transactions. |
See Plan of Distribution.
Our common units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FGP. On
December 6, 2005, the last reported sales price for our common units as reported on the NYSE
Composite Transactions tape was $20.64 per common unit.
Brokers or dealers participating in this offering may be deemed to be underwriters and the
compensation received by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have
agreed to indemnify the selling unitholder and specific other persons, including his agents or
underwriters, against specific liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and the
selling unitholder may also agree to indemnify such agents or underwriters against such
liabilities. See Selling Unitholder and Plan of Distribution.
Investing in our common units involves risk. See Risk Factors beginning on page 2 of this
prospectus and the section entitled Item 1. BusinessRisk Factors of our Annual Report on Form
10-K for our fiscal year ended July 31, 2005, as amended on Form 10-K/A. See Where You Can Find
More Information on page 17 of this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is December 7, 2005.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE INFORMATION WE HAVE INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE AS DESCRIBED UNDER THE SECTION ENTITLED WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION. WE ARE
NOT MAKING AN OFFER OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
The information in this prospectus is accurate as of December 7, 2005. You should rely only
on the information contained in this prospectus and the information we have incorporated by
reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should
not assume that the information provided by this prospectus or the information we have incorporated
by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the respective document or
information, as applicable. If information in any of the documents we have incorporated by
reference conflicts with information in this prospectus you should rely on the most recent
information. If information in an incorporated document conflicts with information in another
incorporated document, you should rely on the information in the most recent incorporated document.
For purposes of this prospectus, unless the context otherwise indicates, when we refer to
us, we, our, or ours, we describe Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. together with our subsidiaries,
including our operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should
carefully read this entire prospectus and the other information incorporated by reference to
understand fully the terms of our common units being offered hereunder, as well as the tax and
other considerations that are important to you in making your investment decision. You should pay
special attention to the section entitled Risk Factors on page 2 of this prospectus and the
section entitled Item 1. BusinessRisk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal
year ended July 31, 2005, as amended on Form 10-K/A, to determine whether an investment in our
common units is appropriate for you. See Where You Can Find More Information on page 17 of this
prospectus.
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
We are a leading distributor of propane and related equipment and supplies to customers
primarily in the United States. We believe that we are the second largest marketer of propane in
the United States, including the largest national provider of propane by portable tank exchange, as
measured by our propane sales volumes in fiscal 2005.
We serve more than one million residential, industrial/commercial, portable tank exchange,
agricultural, and other customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and
Canada. Our operations primarily include the distribution and sale of propane and related equipment
and supplies with concentrations in the Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and Northwest regions of the
country. Our propane distribution business consists principally of transporting propane purchased
from third parties to propane distribution locations and then to tanks on customers premises or to
portable propane tanks delivered to nationwide and local retailers. Our portable tank exchange
operations, nationally branded under the name Blue Rhino, are conducted through a network of
independent and partnership-owned distribution outlets.
In the residential and industrial/commercial markets, propane is primarily used for space
heating, water heating and cooking. In the portable tank exchange market, propane is used primarily
for outdoor cooking using gas grills. In the agricultural market, propane is primarily used for
crop drying, space heating, irrigation and weed control. In addition, propane is used for a variety
of industrial applications, including as an engine fuel which is burned in internal combustion
engines that power vehicles and forklifts and as a heating or energy source in manufacturing and
drying processes.
Additional Information
Our principal executive office is located at 7500 College Boulevard, Suite 1000, Overland
Park, Kansas 66210, and our telephone number is (913) 661-1500.
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RISK FACTORS
Before you invest in our common units, you should be aware that there are various risks.
Please see the section entitled Item 1. BusinessRisk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for our fiscal year ended July 31, 2005, as amended on Form 10-K/A, for a discussion of particular
factors you should consider before determining whether an investment in our common units is
appropriate for you.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any portion of the proceeds from the sale of the common units. All
proceeds will be for the account of the selling unitholder, as described below. See Selling
Unitholder.
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TAX CONSEQUENCES
This section discusses the material tax consequences that may be relevant to prospective
unitholder who are individual citizens or residents of the United States. It is based upon current
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, existing regulations, proposed regulations to the extent
noted, and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change.
Later changes in these authorities may cause the actual tax consequences to vary substantially from
the consequences described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this
section to us or we are references to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and our operating partnership.
No attempt has been made in the following discussion to comment on all federal income tax
matters affecting us or the unitholder. Moreover, this discussion focuses on unitholders who are
individual citizens or residents of the United States and it has only limited application to
corporations, estates, trusts, non-resident aliens or other unitholders that may be subject to
specialized tax treatment, such as tax-exempt institutions, foreign persons, individual retirement
accounts, real estate investment trusts or mutual funds. Accordingly, we recommend that each
prospective unitholder consult, and depend on, that unitholders own tax advisor in analyzing the
federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences particular to that unitholder of the ownership
or disposition of our common units.
All statements as to matters of law and legal conclusions, but not as to factual matters,
contained in this section, unless otherwise noted, are the opinion of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP,
counsel to us and our general partner, and are, to the extent noted herein, based on the accuracy
of various factual matters.
No ruling has been or will be requested from the IRS regarding any matter affecting us or
prospective unitholders, other than a ruling we received relating to our taxable year. An opinion
of counsel represents only that counsels best legal judgment and does not bind the IRS or the
courts. Accordingly, the opinions and statements made in this prospectus may not be sustained by a
court if contested by the IRS. Any contest of this sort with the IRS may materially reduce the
prices at which our common units trade. In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS will be
borne directly or indirectly by the unitholders and our general partner. Furthermore, the tax
treatment of us, or of an investment in us, may be significantly modified by future legislative or
administrative changes or court decisions. Any modifications may or may not be retroactively
applied.
For the reasons described below, Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP has not rendered an opinion with
respect to the following specific federal income tax issues:
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the treatment of a unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short
seller to cover a short sale of common units; see Tax Consequences of Unit
OwnershipTreatment of Short Sales; |
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whether our monthly convention for allocating taxable income and losses is
permitted by existing Treasury Regulations; see Disposition of Common
UnitsAllocations Between Transferors and Transferees; and |
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whether our method for depreciating Section 743 adjustments is sustainable;
see Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipSection 754 Election. |
Partnership Status
A partnership is not a taxable entity and incurs no federal income tax liability. Instead,
each partner of a partnership is required to take into account that partners allocable share of
items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the partnership in computing that partners federal
income tax liability, regardless of whether cash distributions are made. In most cases,
distributions by a partnership to a partner are not taxable unless the amount of any cash
distributed is in excess of the partners adjusted basis in that partners partnership interest.
No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS and the IRS has made no determination as to
our status for federal income tax purposes or whether our operations generate qualifying income
under Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code. Instead, we rely on the opinion of Mayer, Brown,
Rowe & Maw LLP that, based upon the Internal Revenue Code, its regulations, published revenue
rulings and court decisions, that we and our operating partnership will each be classified as a
partnership for federal income tax purposes so long as:
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we do not elect to be treated as a corporation; and |
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for each taxable year, more than 90% of our gross income has been and
continues to be qualifying income within the meaning of Section 7704(d) of the
Internal Revenue Code. |
Qualifying income includes income and gains from the processing, refining, transportation and
marketing of crude oil, natural gas and products thereof, including the transportation and retail
and wholesale marketing of propane. Other types of qualifying income include interest other than
from a financial business, dividends, gains from the sale of real property and gains from the sale
or other disposition of assets held for the production of income that otherwise constitutes
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qualifying income. We believe that more than 90% of our income has been, and will be, within
one or more categories of income that are qualifying income. The portion of our income that is
qualifying income can change from time to time.
Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that publicly-traded partnerships will, as
a general rule, be taxed as corporations. However, an exception, referred to as the Qualifying
Income Exception, exists with respect to publicly-traded partnerships of which 90% or more of the
gross income for every taxable year consists of qualifying income. Although we expect to conduct
our business so as to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, if we fail to meet the Qualifying
Income Exception, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent and that is
cured within a reasonable time after discovery, we will be treated as if we had transferred all of
our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed corporation on the first day of the year in
which we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception in return for stock in that corporation, and
as if we had then distributed that stock to the unitholders in liquidation of their interests in
us. This contribution and liquidation should be tax-free to us so long as we, at that time, do not
have liabilities in excess of the tax basis of our assets and should be tax-free to a unitholder so
long as that unitholder does not have liabilities allocated to that unitholder in excess of the tax
basis in that unitholders units. Thereafter, we would be treated as a corporation for federal
income tax purposes.
If we were treated as a corporation in any taxable year, either as a result of a failure to
meet the Qualifying Income Exception or otherwise, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction
would be reflected only on our tax return rather than being passed through to the unitholders, and
our net income would be taxed to us at corporate rates. In addition, any distribution made to a
unitholder would be treated as either taxable dividend income (to the extent of our current or
accumulated earnings and profits) or (in the absence of earnings and profits or any amount in
excess of earnings and profits) a nontaxable return of capital (to the extent of the tax basis in
that unitholders common units) or taxable capital gain (after the tax basis in that unitholders
common units is reduced to zero). Accordingly, treatment of us as a corporation would result in a
material reduction in a unitholders cash flow and after-tax return and thus would likely result in
a substantial reduction of the value of our common units.
The discussion below assumes that we will be treated as a partnership for federal income tax
purposes.
Tax Treatment of Unitholders
Limited Partner Status
Unitholders who have become our limited partners will be treated as our partners for federal
income tax purposes. Also:
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assignees who have executed and delivered transfer applications, and are
awaiting admission as limited partners; and |
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unitholders whose common units are held in street name or by a nominee and
who have the right to direct the nominee in the exercise of all substantive rights
attendant to the ownership of their common units |
will be treated as our partners for federal income tax purposes. Assignees of common units who are
entitled to execute and deliver transfer applications and become entitled to direct the exercise of
attendant rights, but who fail to execute and deliver transfer applications, may not be treated as
one of our partners for federal income tax purposes. Furthermore, a purchaser or other transferee
of common units who does not execute and deliver a transfer application may not receive particular
federal income tax information or reports furnished to record holders of common units unless our
common units are held in a nominee or street name account and the nominee or broker has executed
and delivered a transfer application for those common units.
A beneficial owner of common units whose common units have been transferred to a short seller
to complete a short sale would appear to lose its status as one of our partners with respect to
those common units for federal income tax purposes. See Tax Consequences of Unit
OwnershipTreatment of Short Sales.
No portion of our income, gains, deductions or losses is reportable by a unitholder who is not
one of our partners for federal income tax purposes, and any cash distributions received by a
unitholder who is not one of our partners for federal income tax purposes would therefore appear to
be fully taxable as ordinary income. These holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors
with respect to the consequences of holding common units for federal income tax purposes.
The following discussion assumes that a unitholder is treated as one of our partners.
Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership
Flow-through of Taxable Income
Each unitholder will be required to report on that unitholders income tax return its
allocable share of our income, gains, losses and deductions without regard to whether corresponding
cash distributions are received by that unitholder. Consequently, we may allocate income to a
unitholder even if that unitholder has not received a cash distribution. Each
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unitholder will be required to include in income that unitholders allocable share of our
income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable year. Our taxable year is the calendar year.
Treatment of Partnership Distributions
Except as described below, our distributions to a unitholder will not be taxable to that
unitholder for federal income tax purposes to the extent of the tax basis in that unitholders
common units immediately before the distribution. Except as described below, our cash
distributions in excess of a unitholders tax basis will be considered to be gain from the sale or
exchange of our common units, taxable in accordance with the rules described under Disposition
of Common Units below. Any reduction in a unitholders share of our liabilities for which no
partner, including our general partner, bears the economic risk of loss, which are known as
nonrecourse liabilities, will be treated as a distribution of cash to that unitholder. To the
extent that our distributions cause a unitholders at risk amount to be less than zero at the end
of any taxable year, that unitholder must recapture any losses deducted in previous years. See
"Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipLimitations on Deductibility of Partnership Losses.
A decrease in a unitholders percentage interest in us because of our issuance of additional
common units will decrease that unitholders share of our nonrecourse liabilities and result in a
corresponding deemed distribution of cash. A non-pro rata distribution of money or property may
result in ordinary income to a unitholder, regardless of the tax basis in that unitholders common
units, if the distribution reduces the unitholders share of our unrealized receivables,
including depreciation recapture, and substantially appreciated inventory items, both as defined
in Section 751 of the Internal Revenue Code and collectively referred to as Section 751 Assets.
To that extent, the unitholder will be treated as having been distributed that unitholders
proportionate share of the Section 751 Assets and having exchanged those assets with us in return
for the non-pro rata portion of the actual distribution made to that unitholder. This latter
deemed exchange will result in the unitholders realization of ordinary income which will equal the
excess of:
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the non-pro rata portion of that distribution; over |
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the unitholders tax basis for the share of Section 751 Assets deemed relinquished in the exchange. |
Ratio of Taxable Income to Cash Distributions
We estimate that a person who:
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acquires the common units offered pursuant to this prospectus; and |
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owns those common units through the period ending on the record date for
the cash distribution payable for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2006, |
will be allocated, on a cumulative basis, an amount of federal taxable income that will be less
than 10% of the cumulative cash distributed to such person for that period. The taxable income
allocable to a unitholder for subsequent periods may constitute an increasing percentage of
distributable cash. These estimates are based upon many assumptions regarding our business and
operations, including assumptions about weather conditions in our area of operations, capital
expenditures, cash flows and anticipated cash distributions. These estimates and our assumptions
are subject to numerous business, economic, regulatory, competitive and political uncertainties
beyond our control. Furthermore, these estimates are based on current tax law and tax reporting
positions with which the IRS could disagree. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that these
estimates will be correct. The actual percentage of distributions that will constitute taxable
income could be higher or lower and any differences could materially affect the value of our common
units.
Basis of Common Units
A unitholder will have an initial tax basis for its common units equal to the amount that
unitholder paid for our common units plus that unitholders share of our nonrecourse liabilities.
That basis will be increased by that unitholders share of our income and by any increases in that
unitholders share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be decreased, but not below
zero, by distributions that that unitholder receives from us, by that unitholders share of our
losses, by any decreases in that unitholders share of our nonrecourse liabilities and by that
unitholders share of our expenditures that are not deductible in computing our taxable income and
are not required to be capitalized. A unitholder will have no share of our debt which is recourse
to our general partner, but will have a share, primarily based on that unitholders share of
profits, of our nonrecourse liabilities. See Disposition of Common UnitsRecognition of Gain
or Loss.
Limitations on Deductibility of Partnership Losses
The deduction by a unitholder of that unitholders share of our losses will be limited to the
unitholders tax basis in its common units and, in the case of an individual unitholder or a
corporate unitholder (if more than 50% of the value of the corporate unitholders stock is owned
directly or indirectly by five or fewer individuals or particular tax-exempt organizations), to the
amount for which the unitholder is considered to be at risk with respect to our activities, if
that is less than the unitholders tax basis. A unitholder must recapture losses deducted in
previous years to the extent that our
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distributions cause that unitholders at risk amount to be less than zero at the end of any
taxable year. Losses disallowed to a unitholder or recaptured as a result of these limitations
will carry forward and will be allowable to the extent that the unitholders tax basis or at risk
amount, whichever is the limiting factor, subsequently increases. Upon the taxable disposition of
a common unit, any gain recognized by a unitholder can be offset by losses that were previously
suspended by the at risk limitation but may not be offset by losses suspended by the basis
limitation. Any excess loss, above such gain, previously suspended by the at risk or basis
limitations would no longer be utilizable.
Subject to each unitholders specific tax situation, a unitholder will be at risk to the
extent of the tax basis in that unitholders common units, excluding any portion of that basis
attributable to that unitholders share of our nonrecourse liabilities, reduced by any amount of
money the unitholder borrows to acquire or hold that unitholders common units if the lender of
such borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to the unitholder or can look only to the
common units for repayment. A unitholders at risk amount will increase or decrease as the tax
basis of the unitholders common units increases or decreases, other than tax basis increases or
decreases attributable to increases or decreases in that unitholders share of our nonrecourse
liabilities.
The passive loss limitations provide that individuals, estates, trusts and specific closely
held corporations and personal service corporations can deduct losses from passive activities
(which for the most part consist of activities in which the taxpayer does not materially
participate) only to the extent of the taxpayers income from those passive activities. The
passive loss limitations also apply to a regulated investment company (or mutual fund) holding an
interest in a qualified publicly-traded partnership. See Tax-Exempt Organizations and Various
Other Investors. The passive loss limitations are applied separately with respect to each
publicly-traded partnership. Consequently, any passive losses generated by us will only be
available to offset our passive income generated in the future and will not be available to offset
income from other passive activities or investments (including other publicly-traded partnerships)
or salary or active business income. Passive losses which are not deductible because they exceed a
unitholders share of our income may be deducted in full when that unitholder disposes of its
entire investment in us in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party. The passive
activity loss rules are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions such as the at
risk rules and the basis limitation.
A unitholders share of our net income may be offset by any suspended passive losses from us,
but it may not be offset by any other current or carryover losses from other passive activities,
including those attributable to other publicly-traded partnerships. The IRS has announced that
Treasury Regulations will be issued which characterize net passive income from a publicly-traded
partnership as investment income for purposes of the limitations on the deductibility of investment
interest.
Limitations on Interest Deductions
The deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayers investment interest expense is limited to
the amount of such taxpayers net investment income. As noted, a unitholders net passive income
from us will be treated as investment income for this purpose. In addition, the unitholders share
of our portfolio income will be treated as investment income. Investment interest expense
includes:
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interest on indebtedness properly allocable to property held for investment; |
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our interest expense attributed to portfolio income; and |
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the portion of interest expense incurred to purchase or carry an interest
in a passive activity to the extent attributable to portfolio income. |
The computation of a unitholders investment interest expense will take into account interest
on any margin account borrowing or other loan incurred to purchase or carry a common unit. Net
investment income includes gross income from property held for investment and amounts treated as
portfolio income pursuant to the passive loss rules less deductible expenses, other than interest,
directly connected with the production of investment income, but in most cases does not include
gains attributable to the disposition of property held for investment.
Allocation of Partnership Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction
If we have a net profit, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction, after taking into
account any special allocations required under our partnership agreement, will be allocated among
our general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their respective percentage interests in
us. At any time that cash distributions are made to the holders of our senior units and our
incentive distribution rights or a disproportionate distribution is made to a holder of our common
units, gross income will be allocated to the recipients to the extent of such distributions. If we
have a net loss, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction, after taking into account any
special allocations required under our partnership agreement, will be allocated first, to the
general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their respective percentage interests in us
to the extent of their positive capital accounts, as maintained under our partnership agreements,
and, second, to our general partner.
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Various items of our income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated to account for the
difference between the tax basis and fair market value of property contributed to us by our general
partner or any other person contributing property to us, and to account for the difference between
the fair market value of our assets and their carrying value on our books at the time that we
initially issued the common units offered pursuant to this prospectus. In addition, items of
recapture income will be allocated to the extent possible to the partner allocated the deduction or
curative allocation giving rise to the treatment of such gain as recapture income to minimize the
recognition of ordinary income by some unitholders. Finally, although we do not expect that our
operations will result in the creation of negative capital accounts, if negative capital accounts
nevertheless result, items of our income and gain will be allocated in an amount and manner
sufficient to eliminate the negative balance as quickly as possible.
Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP is of the opinion that, with the exception of the issues
described in Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipSection 754 Election and Disposition of
Common UnitsAllocations Between Transferors and Transferees, the allocations in the partnership
agreement of Ferrellgas Partners will be given effect for federal income tax purposes in
determining how our income, gain, loss or deduction will be allocated among the holders of its
outstanding equity.
Entity-Level Collections
If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any federal, state or local income tax
on behalf of any unitholder or the general partner or any former unitholder, we are authorized to
pay those taxes from our funds. Such payment, if made, will be treated as a distribution of cash
to the unitholder on whose behalf the payment was made. If the payment is made on behalf of a
person whose identity cannot be determined, we are authorized to treat the payment as a
distribution to current unitholders. We are authorized to amend the partnership agreement of
Ferrellgas Partners in the manner necessary to maintain uniformity of intrinsic tax characteristics
of common units and to adjust subsequent distributions, so that after giving effect to such
distributions, the priority and characterization of distributions otherwise applicable under that
partnership agreement is maintained as nearly as is practicable. Payments by us as described above
could give rise to an overpayment of tax on behalf of a unitholder in which event the unitholder
could file a claim for credit or refund.
Treatment of Short Sales
A unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common
units may be considered to have disposed of ownership of those common units. If so, that
unitholder would no longer be a partner with respect to those common units during the period of the
loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition. As a result, during this period:
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any of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those common
units would not be reportable by the unitholder; |
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any cash distributions received by the unitholder with respect to those
common units would be fully taxable; and |
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all of such distributions would appear to be treated as ordinary income. |
Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP has not rendered an opinion regarding the treatment of a
unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short seller; therefore, unitholders desiring to
assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition should modify any applicable
brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing their common units. The IRS
has announced that it is actively studying issues relating to the tax treatment of short sales of
partnership interests. See Disposition of Common UnitsRecognition of Gain or Loss.
Alternative Minimum Tax
Each unitholder will be required to take into account that unitholders distributive share of
any of our items of income, gain, loss or deduction for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. A
portion of our depreciation deductions may be treated as an adjustment item for this purpose. A
unitholders alternative minimum taxable income derived from us may be higher than that
unitholders share of our net income because we may use accelerated methods of depreciation for
purposes of computing federal taxable income or loss. The minimum tax rate for non-corporate
taxpayers is 26% on the first $175,000 of alternative minimum taxable income in excess of the
exemption amount and 28% on any additional alternative minimum taxable income. Prospective
unitholders should consult with their tax advisors as to the impact of an investment in common
units on their liability for the alternative minimum tax.
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Tax Rates
The highest effective United States federal income tax rate for individuals for 2005 is 35%
and the maximum United States federal income tax rate for net capital gains of an individual that
are recognized prior to January 1, 2009 is 15%, if the asset disposed of was held for more than 12
months at the time of disposition.
Section 754 Election
We have made the election permitted by Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code. The election
is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS. The election permits us to adjust a common unit
purchasers tax basis in our assets under Section 743(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to reflect
that unitholders purchase price when common units are purchased from a holder thereof. The
Section 743(b) adjustment applies only to a person who purchases common units from a holder of
common units (including a person who purchases the common units offered pursuant to this
prospectus) and not pursuant to an initial offering by us. The effect of the Section 743(b)
adjustment to a person buying the common units offered pursuant to this prospectus will be
essentially the same as if the tax basis of our assets were equal to their fair market value at the
time of purchase.
The calculations that are required to determine a Section 743(b) adjustment are made
additionally complex because common units held by the public have been issued pursuant to multiple
offerings. For example, particular regulations require that the portion of the Section 743(b)
adjustment that eliminates the effect of any unamortized difference in book and tax basis of
recovery property to the holder of such a common unit be depreciated over the remaining recovery
period of that property, but Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6) may require that any such
difference in book and tax basis of other property be depreciated over a different period. In
addition, the holder of a common unit, other than a holder who purchased such common unit pursuant
to an initial offering by us, may be entitled by reason of a Section 743(b) adjustment to
amortization deductions in respect of property to which the traditional method of eliminating
differences in book and tax basis applies but to which the holder of a common unit that is sold
in an initial offering will not be entitled.
Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of common units, uniformity of the
economic and tax characteristics of our common units to a purchaser of such common units must be
maintained. In the absence of uniformity, compliance with a number of federal income tax
requirements, both statutory and regulatory, could be substantially diminished. Under the
partnership agreement of Ferrellgas Partners, our general partner is authorized to take a position
to preserve our ability to determine the tax attributes of a common unit from its date of purchase
and the amount that is paid therefor even if that position is not consistent with the Treasury
Regulations.
We intend to depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to any
unamortized difference between the book and tax basis of an asset in respect of which we use the
remedial method in a manner that is consistent with the regulations under Section 743 of the
Internal Revenue Code as to recovery property in respect of which the remedial allocation method is
adopted. Such method is arguably inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6),
which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets. If we determine that
this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may take a depreciation or amortization position which
may result in lower annual depreciation or amortization deductions than would otherwise be
allowable to some unitholders. In addition, if common units held by the public other than those
that are sold in an initial offering by us are entitled to different treatment in respect of
property as to which we are using the traditional method of eliminating differences in book and
tax basis, we may also take a position that results in lower annual deductions to some or all of
our unitholders than might otherwise be available. Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP is unable to opine
as to the validity of any position that is described in this paragraph because there is no clear
applicable authority.
A Section 754 election is advantageous if the tax basis in a transferees common units is
higher than such common units share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to
the transfer. In such a case, as a result of the election, the transferee would have a higher tax
basis in its share of our assets for purposes of calculating, among other items, the transferees
depreciation and amortization deductions and the transferees share of any gain or loss on a sale
of our assets. Conversely, a Section 754 election is disadvantageous if the transferees tax basis
in such common units is lower than such common units share of the aggregate tax basis of our
assets immediately prior to the transfer. However, we would be required to make a Section 743(b)
adjustment in connection with such transfer if the tax basis of our assets exceeds the value of our
assets by more than $250,000 immediately after such transfer (a Substantial Built-in Loss), even
if we had not made a Section 754 election. Thus, the fair market value of our common units may be
affected either favorably or adversely by the election.
The calculations involved in the Section 754 election are complex and will be made by us on
the basis of assumptions as to the value of our assets and other matters. For example, the
allocation of the Section 743(b) adjustment among our assets must be made in accordance with the
Internal Revenue Code. The IRS could seek to reallocate some or all of any Section 743(b)
adjustment allocated by us to our tangible assets to goodwill instead. Goodwill, as an intangible
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asset, is amortizable over a longer period of time or under a less accelerated method than
most of our tangible assets. The determinations we make may be successfully challenged by the IRS
and the deductions resulting from them may be reduced or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS
require a different basis adjustment to be made, and should, in our opinion, the expense of
compliance exceed the benefit of the election, we may seek permission from the IRS to revoke our
Section 754 election. If such permission is granted, a subsequent purchaser of common units may be
allocated more income than that purchaser would have been allocated had the election not been
revoked, but we would still be required to make Section 743(b) adjustments with respect to any
Substantial Built-in Loss existing at the time such purchaser acquired our common units.
Tax Treatment of Operations
Accounting Method and Taxable Year
We use the year ending December 31 as our taxable year and the accrual method of accounting
for federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be required to include in income that
unitholders share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable year ending within or
with that unitholders taxable year. In addition, a unitholder who has a taxable year ending on a
date other than December 31 and who disposes of all of its units following the close of our taxable
year but before the close of its taxable year must include that unitholders share of our income,
gain, loss and deduction in income for its taxable year, with the result that that unitholder will
be required to include in income for its taxable year that unitholders share of more than one year
of our income, gain, loss and deduction. See Disposition of Common UnitsAllocations Between
Transferors and Transferees.
Initial Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization
We will use the tax basis of our various assets for purposes of computing depreciation and
cost recovery deductions and, ultimately, gain or loss on the disposition of such assets. Assets
that we acquired from our general partner in connection with our formation initially had an
aggregate tax basis equal to the tax basis of the assets in the possession of the general partner
immediately prior to our formation. The majority of the assets that we acquired after our
formation had an initial tax basis equal to their cost, however some of our assets were contributed
to us and had an initial tax basis equal to the contributors tax basis in those assets immediately
prior to such contribution. The federal income tax burden associated with the difference between
the fair market value of our property and its tax basis immediately prior to an initial offering by
us will be borne by unitholders holding interests in us prior to that offering. See Tax
Consequences of Unit OwnershipAllocation of Partnership Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction.
We may elect to use permitted depreciation and cost recovery methods that will result in the
largest deductions being taken in the early years after assets are placed in service. Property we
acquire or construct in the future may be depreciated using accelerated methods permitted by the
Internal Revenue Code.
If we dispose of depreciable property by sale, foreclosure, or otherwise, all or a portion of
any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation previously deducted and the nature
of the property, may be subject to the recapture rules and taxed as ordinary income rather than
capital gain. Similarly, a unitholder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with
respect to property owned by us may be required to recapture such deductions as ordinary income
upon a sale of that unitholders interest in us. See Tax Consequences of Unit
OwnershipAllocation of Partnership Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction and Disposition of Common
UnitsRecognition of Gain or Loss.
The costs that we incurred in our organization have previously been amortized over a period of
60 months. The costs incurred in selling our common units, i.e. syndication expenses, must be
capitalized and cannot be deducted currently, ratably or upon our termination. Uncertainties exist
regarding the classification of costs as organization expenses, which have previously been
amortized by us over a period of 60 months, and as syndication expenses, which may not be amortized
by us. The underwriting discounts and commissions we incur will be treated as syndication
expenses.
Valuation and Tax Basis of our Properties
The federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of common units will
depend in part on our estimates of the fair market values, and determinations of the tax bases, of
our assets. Although we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding
valuation matters, we will make many of the fair market value estimates ourselves. These estimates
of value and determinations of basis are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or
the courts. If the estimates and determinations of fair market value or basis are later found to
be incorrect, the character and amount of items of income, gain, loss or deduction previously
reported by unitholders might change, and unitholders might be required to adjust their tax
liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties with respect to those adjustments.
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Disposition of Common Units
Recognition of Gain or Loss
Gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of common units equal to the difference between the
amount realized and the unitholders tax basis for the common units sold. A unitholders amount
realized will be measured by the sum of the cash or the fair market value of other property
received plus that unitholders share of our nonrecourse liabilities. Because the amount realized
includes a unitholders share of our nonrecourse liabilities, the gain recognized on the sale of
common units could result in a tax liability in excess of any cash received from such sale. Prior
distributions from us in excess of cumulative net taxable income in respect of a common unit which
decreased a unitholders tax basis in such common unit will, in effect, become taxable income if
our common unit is sold at a price greater than the unitholders tax basis in such common unit,
even if the price is less than that unitholders original cost.
Should the IRS successfully contest our convention to amortize only a portion of the Section
743(b) adjustment attributable to an amortizable intangible asset described in Section 197 of the
Internal Revenue Code after a sale of common units, a unitholder could realize additional gain from
the sale of common units than had such convention been respected. See Tax Consequences of Unit
OwnershipSection 754 Election. In that case, the unitholder may have been entitled to
additional deductions against income in prior years but may be unable to claim them, with the
result to that unitholder of greater overall taxable income than appropriate. Counsel is unable to
opine as to the validity of the convention but believes such a contest by the IRS to be unlikely
because a successful contest could result in substantial additional deductions to other
unitholders.
Except as noted below, gain or loss recognized by a unitholder, other than a dealer in
common units, on the sale or exchange of a common unit will be taxable as capital gain or loss.
Capital gain recognized on the sale of common units held for more than 12 months will be taxed at a
maximum rate of 15% for sales occurring prior to January 1, 2009. A portion of this gain or loss,
which will likely be substantial, however, will be separately computed and taxed as ordinary income
or loss under Section 751 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent attributable to assets giving
rise to depreciation recapture or other unrealized receivables or to inventory items owned by
us. The term unrealized receivables includes potential recapture items, including depreciation
recapture. Ordinary income attributable to unrealized receivables, inventory items and
depreciation recapture may exceed net taxable gain realized upon the sale of our common unit and
may be recognized even if there is a net taxable loss realized on the sale of our common unit.
Thus, a unitholder may recognize both ordinary income and a capital loss upon a disposition of
common units. Net capital loss may offset no more than $3,000 of ordinary income in the case of
individuals and may only be used to offset capital gain in the case of corporations.
The IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate
transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all those
interests. Upon a sale or other disposition of less than all of such interests, a portion of that
tax basis must be allocated to the interests sold using an equitable apportionment method.
Treasury Regulations under Section 1223 of the Internal Revenue Code allow a selling unitholder who
can identify common units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the
actual holding period of the common units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling, a holder of
common units will be unable to select high or low basis common units to sell, but, under the
regulations, may designate specific common units sold for purposes of determining the holding
period of the common units sold. A unitholder electing to use the actual holding period of common
units transferred must consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or
exchanges of our common units. A unitholder considering the purchase of additional common units or
a sale of common units purchased in separate transactions should consult that unitholders tax
advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and application of the regulations.
The Internal Revenue Code treats a taxpayer as having sold a partnership interest, such as our
units, in which gain would be recognized if it were actually sold at its fair market value, if the
taxpayer or related persons enters into:
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a short sale; |
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an offsetting notional principal contract; or |
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a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest or substantially identical property. |
Moreover, if a taxpayer has previously entered into a short sale, an offsetting notional
principal contract or a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest, the
taxpayer will be treated as having sold that position if the taxpayer or a related person then
acquires the partnership interest or substantially identical property.
Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees
In most cases, our taxable income and losses will be determined annually, will be prorated on
a monthly basis and will be subsequently apportioned among the unitholders in proportion to the
number of common units owned by each of
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them as of the opening of the New York Stock Exchange on the first business day of the month.
However, gain or loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our assets other than in the
ordinary course of business will be allocated among the unitholders as of the opening of the New
York Stock Exchange on the first business day of the month in which that gain or loss is
recognized. As a result, a unitholder transferring common units in the open market may be
allocated income, gain, loss and deduction accrued after the date of transfer.
The use of this method may not be permitted under existing Treasury Regulations. Accordingly,
Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP is unable to opine on the validity of this method of allocating income
and deductions between transferors and transferees of common units. If this method is not allowed
under the Treasury Regulations, or only applies to transfers of less than all of the unitholders
interest, our taxable income or losses might be reallocated among the unitholders. We are
authorized to revise our method of allocation between transferors and transferees, as well as among
unitholders whose interests otherwise vary during a taxable period, to conform to a method
permitted under future Treasury Regulations.
A unitholder who owns common units at any time during a quarter and who disposes of such
common units prior to the record date set for a cash distribution with respect to such quarter will
be allocated items of our income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to such quarter but will
not be entitled to receive that cash distribution.
Notification Requirements
A unitholder who sells or exchanges common units is required to notify us in writing of that
sale or exchange within 30 days after the sale or exchange and in any event by no later than
January 15 of the year following the calendar year in which the sale or exchange occurred. We are
required to notify the IRS of that transaction and to furnish specific information to the
transferor and transferee. However, these reporting requirements do not apply with respect to a
sale by an individual who is a citizen of the United States and who effects the sale or exchange
through a broker. Additionally, a transferor and a transferee of a common unit will be required to
furnish statements to the IRS, filed with their income tax returns for the taxable year in which
the sale or exchange occurred, that sets forth the amount of the consideration paid for the common
unit. Failure to satisfy these reporting obligations may lead to the imposition of substantial
penalties.
Constructive Termination
We will be considered to have been terminated for tax purposes if there is a sale or exchange
of 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a 12-month period. A
termination of us will result in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders. In the case
of a unitholder reporting on a taxable year other than a year ending December 31, the closing of
our taxable year may result in more than 12 months of our taxable income or loss being includable
in that unitholders taxable income for the year of our termination. New tax elections required to
be made by us, including a new election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code, must be
made subsequent to a termination, and a termination could result in a deferral of our deductions
for depreciation. A termination could also result in penalties if we were unable to determine that
the termination had occurred. Moreover, a termination might either accelerate the application of,
or subject us to, any tax legislation enacted prior to the termination.
Tax-Exempt Organizations and Various Other Investors
Ownership of common units by employee benefit plans, other tax-exempt organizations,
nonresident aliens, foreign corporations, other foreign persons and regulated investment companies
raises issues unique to such persons and, as described below, may substantially increase the tax
liability and requirements imposed on such persons.
Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from federal income tax, including
individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to federal income tax on
unrelated business taxable income. Virtually all of the taxable income derived by such an
organization from the ownership of a common unit will be unrelated business taxable income and thus
will be taxable to such a unitholder.
A regulated investment company (or mutual fund) is required to derive 90% or more of its
gross income from interest, dividends, gains from the sale of stocks or securities or foreign
currency or related sources, and net income derived from an interest in a qualified
publicly-traded partnership. However, no more than 25% of the value of a regulated investment
companys total assets may be invested in the securities of one or more qualified publicly-traded
partnerships. A qualified publicly-traded partnership is a publicly-traded partnership as to which
less than 90% of its gross income for each taxable year consists of interest, dividends, gains from
the sale of stocks or securities or foreign currency or related sources. We expect Ferrellgas
Partners to be treated as a qualified publicly-traded partnership.
Non-resident aliens and foreign corporations, trusts or estates which hold common units will
be considered to be engaged in business in the United States on account of ownership of common
units. As a consequence, they will be required to file federal tax returns in respect of their
share of our income, gain, loss or deduction and pay federal income tax at regular rates on any net
income or gain. Moreover, under rules applicable to publicly-traded partnerships, we will withhold
at the highest effective tax rate applicable to individuals, currently 35%, from cash distributions
made quarterly to
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foreign unitholders. Each foreign unitholder must obtain a taxpayer identification number
from the IRS and submit that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8 BEN or applicable
substitute form in order to obtain credit for the taxes withheld. A change in applicable law may
require us to change these procedures.
In addition, because a foreign corporation which owns common units will be treated as engaged
in a United States trade or business, that corporation may be subject to United States branch
profits tax at a rate of 30%, in addition to regular federal income tax, on its allocable share of
our income and gain (as adjusted for changes in the foreign corporations U.S. net equity) which
are effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business. That tax may be
reduced or eliminated by an income tax treaty between the United States and the country with
respect to which the foreign corporate unitholder is a qualified resident. In addition, such a
unitholder is subject to special information reporting requirements under Section 6038C of the
Internal Revenue Code.
Under a ruling of the IRS, a foreign unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a common
unit will be subject to federal income tax on gain realized on the disposition of such common unit
to the extent that such gain is effectively connected with a United States trade or business of the
foreign unitholder. Apart from the ruling, a foreign unitholder will not be taxed upon the
disposition of a common unit if that foreign unitholder has held less than 5% in value of our
common units during the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition and if our common
units are regularly traded on an established securities market at the time of the disposition.
Administrative Matters
Information Returns and Audit Procedures
We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90 days after the close of each calendar year,
specific tax information, including a Schedule K-1, which sets forth each unitholders share of our
income, gain, loss and deduction for our preceding taxable year. In preparing this information,
which in most cases will not be reviewed by counsel, we will use various accounting and reporting
conventions, some of which have been mentioned in the previous discussion, to determine the
unitholders share of income, gain, loss and deduction. There is no assurance that any of those
conventions will yield a result which conforms to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code,
regulations or administrative interpretations of the IRS. We cannot assure prospective unitholders
that the IRS will not successfully contend in court that such accounting and reporting conventions
are impermissible. Any such challenge by the IRS could negatively affect the value of our common
units.
The IRS may audit our federal income tax information returns. Adjustments resulting from any
such audit may require each unitholder to adjust a prior years tax liability, and possibly may
result in an audit of the unitholders own return. Any audit of a unitholders return could result
in adjustments not related to our returns as well as those related to our returns.
In most respects, partnerships are treated as separate entities for purposes of federal tax
audits, judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement proceedings.
The tax treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss and deduction are determined in a
partnership proceeding rather than in separate proceedings with the partners. The Internal Revenue
Code requires that one partner be designated as the Tax Matters Partner for these purposes. Our
partnership agreements appoint our general partner as our Tax Matters Partner.
The Tax Matters Partner will make various elections on our behalf and on behalf of the
unitholders. In addition, the Tax Matters Partner can extend the statute of limitations for
assessment of tax deficiencies against unitholders for items in our returns. The Tax Matters
Partner may bind a unitholder with less than a 1% profits interest in us to a settlement with the
IRS unless that unitholder elects, by filing a statement with the IRS, not to give such authority
to the Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner may seek judicial review (by which all the
unitholders are bound) of a final partnership administrative adjustment and, if the Tax Matters
Partner fails to seek judicial review, such review may be sought by any unitholder having at least
a 1% interest in our profits and by the unitholders having in the aggregate at least a 5% profits
interest. However, only one action for judicial review will go forward, and each unitholder with
an interest in the outcome may participate.
A unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on that
unitholders federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the item on our
return. Intentional or negligent disregard of the consistency requirement may subject a unitholder
to substantial penalties.
Nominee Reporting
Persons who hold an interest in us as a nominee for another person are required to furnish to us:
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the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the nominee; |
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whether the beneficial owner is: |
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a person that is not a United States person; |
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a foreign government, an international organization or any wholly-owned
agency or instrumentality of either of the foregoing; or |
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a tax-exempt entity; |
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the amount and description of common units held, acquired or transferred for the beneficial owner; and |
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particular information including the dates of acquisitions and transfers,
means of acquisitions and transfers, and acquisition cost for purchases, as well as the
amount of net proceeds from sales. |
Brokers and financial institutions are required to furnish additional information, including
whether they are United States persons and specific information on common units they acquire, hold
or transfer for their own account. A penalty of $50 per failure, up to a maximum of $100,000 per
calendar year, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code for failure to report this information to
us. The nominee is required to supply the beneficial owner of our common units with the
information furnished to us.
Tax Shelter Reporting Rules
Treasury Regulations require taxpayers to report particular information on Form 8886 if they
participate in a reportable transaction. Unitholders may be required to file this form with the
IRS. A transaction may be a reportable transaction based upon any of several factors. Unitholders
are urged to consult with their own tax advisors concerning the application of any of these factors
to their investment in our common units. Significant penalties may be imposed for failure to
comply with these disclosure requirements. Disclosure and information maintenance obligations are
also imposed on material advisors that organize, manage or sell interests in reportable
transactions. Unitholders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors concerning any possible
disclosure obligation with respect to their investment and should be aware that we and our material
advisors intend to comply with the disclosure and information maintenance requirements.
Accuracy-Related Penalties
An additional tax equal to 20% of the amount of any portion of an underpayment of tax which is
attributable to one or more of particular listed causes, including negligence or disregard of rules
or regulations, substantial understatements of income tax and substantial valuation misstatements,
is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. No penalty will be imposed, however, with respect to any
portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for that portion and
that the taxpayer acted in good faith with respect to that portion.
A substantial understatement of income tax in any taxable year exists if the amount of the
understatement exceeds (i) the greater of 10% of the tax required to be shown on the return for the
taxable year or $5,000, or (ii) in the case of most corporations, the lesser of 10% of the tax
required to be shown on the return for the taxable year or $10,000,000. The amount of any
understatement subject to penalty is reduced if any portion is attributable to a position adopted
on the return:
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with respect to which there is, or was, substantial authority; or |
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as to which there is a reasonable basis and the pertinent facts of such position are disclosed on the return. |
This reduction does not apply to an understatement attributable to a tax shelter, a term that in
this context does not appear to include us.
An additional penalty tax applies to certain listed transactions and reportable transactions
with a significant tax avoidance purposes (reportable avoidance transactions). The amount of the
penalty is equal to 20% of any understatement of income tax attributable to an adequately disclosed
reportable avoidance transaction. No penalty will be imposed, however, if the relevant facts
affecting the tax treatment of the transaction are adequately disclosed, there is or was
substantial authority for the claimed tax treatment, and the taxpayer reasonably believed that the
claimed tax treatment was more likely than not the proper treatment. If the reportable avoidance
transaction is not adequately disclosed, this exception will not apply and the penalty will be
increased to 30% of the understatement.
If any item of our income, gain, loss or deduction included in the distributive shares of
unitholders might result in such an understatement of income for which no substantial authority
exists, we must disclose the pertinent facts on our return. In addition, we will make a reasonable
effort to furnish sufficient information for unitholders to make adequate disclosure on their
returns to avoid liability for this penalty.
A substantial valuation misstatement exists if the value of any property, or the adjusted
basis of any property, claimed on a tax return is 200% or more of the amount determined to be the
correct amount of such valuation or adjusted basis. No penalty is imposed unless the portion of
the underpayment attributable to a substantial valuation misstatement exceeds $5,000, $10,000 for
most corporations. If the valuation claimed on a return is 400% or more than the correct
valuation, the penalty imposed increases to 40%.
13
State, Local and Other Tax Consequences
In addition to federal income taxes, unitholders will be subject to other taxes, such as state
and local income taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes
that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property. Although
an analysis of those various taxes is not presented here, each prospective unitholder should
consider their potential impact on that unitholders investment in us. We currently conduct
business in all 50 states. A unitholder will be required to file state income tax returns and to
pay state income taxes in some or all of the states in which we do business or own property and may
be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. In some states, tax losses
may not produce a tax benefit in the year incurred (if, for example, we have no income from sources
within that state) and also may not be available to offset income in subsequent taxable years.
Some of the states may require that we, or we may elect to, withhold a percentage of income from
amounts to be distributed to a unitholder who is not a resident of the state. Withholding, the
amount of which may be greater or less than a particular unitholders income tax liability to the
state, does not relieve the non-resident unitholder from the obligation to file an income tax
return. Amounts withheld may be treated as if distributed to unitholders for purposes of
determining the amounts distributed by us. See Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipEntity-Level
Collections. Based on current law and our estimate of future operations, we anticipate that any
amounts required to be withheld will not be material.
It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences
under the laws of pertinent states and localities of that unitholders investment in us.
Accordingly, each prospective unitholder should consult, and must depend upon, that unitholders
own tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters. Further, it is the responsibility
of each unitholder to file all state and local, as well as U.S. federal, tax returns that may be
required of such unitholder. Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP has not rendered an opinion on the state
or local tax consequences of an investment in us.
INVESTMENT IN US BY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
An investment in us by an employee benefit plan is subject to additional considerations
because the investments of these plans are subject to:
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the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction provisions of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, often referred to as ERISA; and |
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restrictions imposed by Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code. |
For these purposes, the term employee benefit plan may include:
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qualified pension, profit-sharing and stock bonus plans; |
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simplified employee pension plans; and |
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tax deferred annuities or individual retirement accounts established or
maintained by an employer or employee organization. |
Prior to making an investment in us, consideration should be given to, among other things:
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whether the investment is permitted under the terms of the employee benefit plan; |
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whether the investment is prudent under Section 404(a)(1)(B) of ERISA; |
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whether in making the investment, the employee benefit plan will satisfy
the diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(1)(C) of ERISA; |
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whether the investment will result in recognition of unrelated business
taxable income by the employee benefit plan and, if so, the potential after-tax
investment return; and |
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whether, as a result of the investment, the employee benefit plan will be
required to file an exempt organization business income tax return with the IRS. |
See Tax ConsequencesDisposition of Common UnitsTax-Exempt Organizations and Various Other
Investors.
The person with investment discretion with respect to the assets of an employee benefit plan,
often called a fiduciary, should determine whether an investment in us is authorized by the
appropriate governing instrument and is a proper investment for the employee benefit plan. A
fiduciary should also consider whether the employee benefit plan will, by investing in us, be
deemed to own an undivided interest in our assets. If so, our general partner would also be a
fiduciary of the employee benefit plan, and we would be subject to the regulatory restrictions of
ERISA, including its prohibited transaction rules, as well as the prohibited transaction rules of
the Internal Revenue Code.
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code prohibit employee benefit
plans, and also individual retirement accounts that are not considered part of an employee benefit
plan, from engaging in specified
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transactions involving plan assets with parties that are parties in interest under ERISA
or disqualified persons under the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the employee benefit
plan. The Department of Labor regulations provide guidance with respect to whether the assets of
an entity in which employee benefit plans acquire equity interests would be deemed plan assets
under some circumstances. Under these regulations, an entitys assets would not be considered to
be plan assets if, among other things:
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the equity interests acquired by employee benefit plans are
publicly-offered securities; meaning the equity interests are: |
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widely held by 100 or more investors independent of us and each other; |
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freely transferable; and |
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registered under some provisions of the federal securities laws; |
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the entity is an operating company; meaning that it is primarily engaged
in the production or sale of a product or service, other than the investment of
capital, either directly or through a majority owned subsidiary or subsidiaries; or |
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there is no significant investment by employee benefit plan investors;
meaning that less than 25% of the value of each class of equity interest, disregarding
particular interests held by our general partner, its affiliates, and particular other
persons, is held by: |
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the employee benefit plans referred to above; |
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individual retirement accounts; and |
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other employee benefit plans not subject to ERISA, including governmental plans. |
Our assets should not be considered plan assets under these regulations because it is
expected that an investment in us will satisfy the requirements of the first bullet point
immediately above.
Plan fiduciaries contemplating an investment in us should consult with their own counsel
regarding the potential consequences of such an investment under ERISA and the Internal Revenue
Code in light of the serious penalties imposed on persons who engage in prohibited transactions or
otherwise violate any applicable statutory provisions.
15
SELLING UNITHOLDER
We originally issued 79,560 unregistered common units to James E. Ferrell on April 21, 2004,
pursuant to a Unit Purchase Agreement dated February 8, 2004, between Mr. Ferrell and us. We
issued these common units as part of our equity fund raising in connection with our transaction
with Blue Rhino Corporation that closed on April 21, 2004. We originally issued 3,892,849
unregistered common units to the James E. Ferrell Revocable Trust Two, with James E. Ferrell as
Trustee, on June 29, 2005, pursuant to the conversion of all of our outstanding senior units into
common units in accordance with the terms of our partnership agreement. Both issuances were exempt
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. In connection with the issuance of the
common units upon conversion of the senior units, we agreed to file a registration statement with
the SEC to register those common units. The Board of Directors of our general partner has approved
the inclusion of the 79,560 common units issued to Mr. Ferrell on April 21, 2004 in this
registration.
The following table sets forth information with respect to the selling unitholder and his
beneficial ownership of our common units as of December 6, 2005. The 3,972,409 common units that
may be offered and sold pursuant to this prospectus constitute approximately 6.6% of our
outstanding common units as of that date. We prepared the table based on the information supplied
to us by the selling unitholder. The selling unitholder may, however, have sold, transferred or
otherwise disposed of all or a portion of the common units offered by this prospectus since the
date on which such selling unitholder provided such information. We do not know when or in what
amounts the selling unitholder may offer common units for sale. The selling unitholder may choose
not to sell any of the common units offered by this prospectus. Because the selling unitholder may
offer all, some or none of his common units pursuant to this offering, we cannot estimate the
number of common units that the selling unitholder will hold after completion of the offering. For
purposes of the following table, we have assumed that the selling unitholder will sell all of the
common units covered by this prospectus.
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Number of |
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Number of Common |
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Number of Common |
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Percentage of |
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Common Units |
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Units to be Offered |
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Units Beneficially |
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Outstanding Common |
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Beneficially Owned |
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for Unitholder's |
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Owned After |
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Units Beneficially |
Unitholder |
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Before Offering |
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Account |
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Offering |
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Owned After Offering |
James E. Ferrell |
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4,232,025 |
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3,972,409 |
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259,616 |
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Mr. Ferrell is the Chairman, CEO and President of our general partner. He is also the
Trustee of the James E. Ferrell Revocable Trust Two, and therefore beneficially owns all of the
common units held of record by the trust.
The James E. Ferrell Revocable Trust Two may, subject to applicable law and the terms of the
registration rights agreement by which we are offering the 3,892,849 common units issued pursuant
to the conversion of all of our outstanding senior units into common units, assign all or any
portion of its rights and obligations under the registration rights agreement, but only if it
transfers or assigns:
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a portion of the 3,892,849 common units issued to it to an affiliate of JEF Capital Management, Inc., or |
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at least 25% of the 3,892,849 common units issued to it to a non-affiliate of JEF Capital Management. |
Subject to the assignment requirements set forth in the previous sentence, if the James E.
Ferrell Revocable Trust Two assigns its rights and obligations under the registration rights
agreement, the assignee would also be a selling unitholder under this prospectus and we will amend
the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or supplement this prospectus, as
required by law.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We have been advised that the common units may be sold from time to time by or for the account
of the selling unitholder in the over-the-counter market, on the NYSE or otherwise, at prices and
on terms then prevailing or at prices related to the then current market price, at fixed prices
that may be changed or in negotiated transactions at negotiated prices. The common units may be
sold by any one or more of the following methods:
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a block trade, which may involve crosses, in which the broker or dealer so
engaged will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a
portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; |
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purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by such broker or
dealer for its account pursuant to this prospectus; |
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exchange distributions and/or secondary distributions in accordance with
the rules of the applicable exchange; |
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ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchasers; |
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through the settlement of short sales; and |
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privately negotiated transactions. |
In effecting sales, brokers or dealers engaged by the selling unitholder may arrange for other
brokers or dealers to participate in the sales. In addition, any common units covered by this
prospectus that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 may be sold under Rule 144 rather than
pursuant to this prospectus.
In connection with the distribution of the common units, the selling unitholder may enter into
hedging transactions with brokers or dealers. In connection with such transactions, brokers or
dealers may engage in short sales of the common units in the course of hedging the positions they
assume with the selling unitholder. The selling unitholder may also enter into options or other
transactions with brokers or dealers that require the delivery to the broker or dealer of the
common units, which the broker or dealer may resell or otherwise transfer pursuant to this
prospectus. The selling unitholder may also loan or pledge the common units to a broker or dealer,
and the broker or dealer may sell the common units so loaned or, upon a default, sell the common
units so pledged, pursuant to this prospectus.
The selling unitholder may effect such transactions by selling common units through brokers or
dealers, and such brokers or dealers may receive compensation in the form of commissions, discounts
or concessions from the selling unitholders, which may or may not exceed those customary in the
types of transactions involved. The selling unitholder and any brokers or dealers that participate
in the distribution of the common units may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of
the Securities Act in connection with such sales, and any profit on the sale of common units by it
and any commissions, discounts or concessions received by any such broker or dealer may be deemed
to be underwriting discounts and commission under the Securities Act.
The selling unitholder or his successors in interest may from time to time pledge or grant a
security interest in some or all of the common units and, if the selling unitholder or any such
successor in interest defaults in the performance of its secured obligation, the pledgees or
secured parties may offer and sell such common units from time to time under this prospectus.
Subject to the assignment requirements set forth in the final paragraph of the Selling Unitholder
section of this prospectus, if the common units are to be sold by pledgees or secured parties, we
must amend the list of selling unitholders to include the pledgee or secured party as selling
unitholders by amending the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or
supplementing this prospectus, as required by law.
We have agreed to indemnify the selling unitholder, controlling persons, and agents, and any
person acting as an underwriter in connection with the offering and sale of the common units,
against specific liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act, and the
selling unitholder has agreed to indemnify us and our officers, directors, controlling persons and
agents and any underwriter against some of those liabilities. We will pay the costs and expenses
of the registration and offering of the common units, other than discounts and commissions, fees
and disbursements of counsel and accountants for the selling unitholder and other expenses that the
selling unitholder has agreed to pay.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Where Documents are Filed; Copies of Documents
We file annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC. You may read
and download our SEC filings over the Internet from several commercial document retrieval services
as well as at the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy our SEC filings
at the SECs public reference room located at Judiciary Plaza, 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C.
20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information concerning the public
reference room and any applicable copy charges. You can also obtain information about us through
the New York Stock Exchange, 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, on which our common units
are listed.
In addition, you may also access further information about us by visiting our website at
http://www.ferrellgas.com. Please note that the information and materials found on our website,
except for our SEC filings expressly described below, are not part of this prospectus and are not
incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference
We filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 with respect to the securities
offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement. As allowed
by the SEC, this prospectus does not contain all of the information you can find in the
registration statement or the exhibits to the registration statement. Instead, the SEC allows us
to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. Incorporation by reference means
that we can disclose particular important information to you without actually including such
information in this prospectus by simply referring you to another document that we filed separately
with the SEC.
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The information we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus and should
be carefully read in conjunction with this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. Information
that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and may
supersede some of the information in this prospectus as well as information we previously filed
with the SEC and that was incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
The following documents are incorporated by reference into this prospectus:
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the description of our common units in our registration statement on Form
8-A/A as filed with the SEC on December 7, 2005, and any amendments or reports filed to
update the description; |
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the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas
Partners Finance Corp., Ferrellgas, L.P. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. for the fiscal
year ended July 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC on October 14, 2005, as amended on Form
10-K/A filed with the SEC on November 10, 2005; |
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the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas
Partners Finance Corp., Ferrellgas, L.P. and Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. for the
quarterly period ended October 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC on December 7, 2005; |
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the Current Report on Form 8-K of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas
Partners Finance Corp., Ferrellgas, L.P. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp., as filed with
the SEC on December 7, 2005; and |
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all documents that we file under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and until the earlier of the termination
of the registration statement to which this prospectus relates or until we sell all of
the securities offered by this prospectus. |
If information in any of these incorporated documents conflicts with information in this
prospectus you should rely on the most recent information. If information in an incorporated
document conflicts with information in another incorporated document, you should rely on the
information in the most recent incorporated document.
You may request from us at no cost a copy of any document we incorporate by reference,
excluding all exhibits to such incorporated documents (unless we have specifically incorporated by
reference such exhibits either in this prospectus or in the incorporated document), by making such
a request in writing or by telephone to the following address:
Ferrellgas, Inc.
7500 College Boulevard, Suite 1000
Overland Park, Kansas 66210
Attention: Investor Relations
(913) 661-1533
Except as provided above, no other information (including information on our website) is
incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
LEGAL MATTERS
Particular legal matters related to the securities described in this prospectus, including the
validity of the common units described in this prospectus, have been passed upon for us by Mayer,
Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements, the related financial statement schedules, and
managements report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting incorporated
in this prospectus by reference from Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.s, Ferrellgas Partners Finance
Corp.s, Ferrellgas L.P.s and Ferrellgas Finance Corp.s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended July 31, 2005, as amended on Form 10-K/A, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an
independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated
herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given
upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Ferrellgas, Inc. and Subsidiaries incorporated in
this prospectus by reference from Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.s, Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.s,
Ferrellgas L.P.s and Ferrellgas Finance Corp.s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 7, 2005,
has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as
stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated
in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents we have incorporated by reference include forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate
strictly to historical or current facts. They
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often use words such as anticipate, believe, intend, plan, projection, forecast,
strategy, position, continue, estimate, expect, may, will, or the negative of those
terms or other variations of them or comparable terminology. These statements often discuss plans,
strategies, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future and
are based upon the beliefs and assumptions of our management and on the information currently
available to them. In particular, statements, express or implied, concerning our future operating
results or our ability to generate sales, income or cash flow are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. You should not put undue
reliance on any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks,
uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those
expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will affect
our future results are beyond our ability to control or predict.
Some of our forward-looking statements include the following:
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whether our operating partnership will have sufficient funds to meet its
obligations, including its obligations under its debt securities, and to enable it to
distribute to us sufficient funds to permit us to meet our obligations with respect to
our existing debt and equity securities; |
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whether we and our operating partnership will continue to meet all of the
quarterly financial tests required by the agreements governing their indebtedness; and |
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the expectation that propane and other liquid sales, cost of product sold,
gross profit, operating income and net earnings will increase in fiscal 2006. |
For a more detailed description of these particular forward-looking statements and for other
factors that may affect any forward-looking statements, see Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations beginning on page 38 of our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2005, as amended on Form 10-K/A, which is incorporated by
reference in this prospectus.
When considering any forward-looking statement, you should also keep in mind the risk factors
described under the section entitled Risk Factors in this prospectus, and the section entitled
Item 1. BusinessRisk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended July
31, 2005, as amended on Form 10-K/A, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See
Where You Can Find More Information. Any of these risks could impair our business, financial
condition or results of operation. Any such impairment may affect our ability to make distributions
to our unitholders or pay interest on the principal of any of our debt securities. In addition, the
trading price, if any, of our securities could decline as a result of any such impairment. Except
for ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by federal securities laws, we
undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after distribution of this
prospectus.
In addition, the classification of Ferrellgas Partners and our operating partnership as
partnerships for federal income tax purposes means that we do not generally pay federal income
taxes. We do, however, pay taxes on the income of our subsidiaries that are corporations. We rely
on a legal opinion from our counsel, and not a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, as to our
proper classification for federal income tax purposes. See Risk Factors Tax Risks The IRS
could treat us as a corporation for tax purposes, which would substantially reduce the cash
available for distribution to our unitholders in the section entitled Item 1. BusinessRisk
Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended July 31, 2005, as amended on
Form 10-K/A.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
We will incur and pay all of the following expected costs in connection with the common units
being registered hereby. All amounts, other than the SEC registration fee, are estimated. We do
not expect to incur any additional fees in connection with the issuance and distribution of the
securities registered hereby.
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SEC registration fee |
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9,644 |
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Legal fees and expenses |
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10,000 |
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Accounting fees and expenses |
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10,000 |
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Printing expenses |
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Miscellaneous |
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Total |
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29,644 |
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Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Neither Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. nor Ferrellgas, L.P. has any employees, officers or
directors. Each is managed and operated by the employees, officers and directors of its general
partner, Ferrellgas, Inc.
The partnership agreement of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. provides that Ferrellgas Partners,
L.P., subject to any limitations expressly provided in its partnership agreement, shall indemnify
and hold harmless to the fullest extent permitted by current applicable law or as such law may
hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that the amendment
permits either partnership to provide broader indemnification rights) particular persons (each, an
Indemnitee) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (joint or several),
expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties,
interest, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or
proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnitee may
be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of their status
as:
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the general partner, a former general partner, or any of their affiliates; |
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an officer, director, employee, partner, agent or trustee of either
partnership, the general partner, any former general partner, or any of their
affiliates; or |
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a person or entity serving at the request of either partnership in another
entity in a similar capacity. |
This indemnification is available only if the Indemnitee acted in good faith, in a manner in
which the Indemnitee believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the applicable
partnership and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe its
conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order,
settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not of itself
create a presumption that the Indemnitee acted in a manner contrary to that specified in the
immediately preceding sentence. Any indemnification shall be made only out of the assets of the
applicable partnership; our general partner shall not be personally liable for any indemnification
and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any money or property to the applicable
partnership to enable it to effect any indemnification. In no event may an Indemnitee subject the
limited partners of the applicable partnership to personal liability by reason of being entitled to
indemnification.
To the fullest extent permitted by current applicable law or as such law may hereafter be
amended (but, in the case of such amendment, only to the extent that the amendment permits either
partnership to provide broader indemnification rights), expenses (including, without limitation,
legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or
proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the applicable partnership prior to the final
disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding upon receipt by the applicable
partnership of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it is
ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Indemnitee is not entitled to
indemnification.
II-1
We have, to the extent commercially reasonable, purchased and currently maintain (or reimburse
our general partner or its affiliates for the cost of) insurance, on behalf of our general partner
and such other persons or entities as our general partner has determined, including particular
other Indemnitees, against any liability that may be asserted against or expenses that may be
incurred by such person or entity in connection with either partnerships activities or in
connection with such persons or entitys activities related to either partnership in such persons
or entitys professional capacity, regardless of whether Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. would have the
power to indemnify such person or entity against such liability under the provisions of either
partnerships partnership agreement.
An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification by the applicable partnership, in whole or
in part, because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the
indemnification applies, so long as the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of the
applicable partnership agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the
applicable partnership agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the
applicable partnership, the limited partners, their assignees or any other persons or entities who
have acquired partnership interests in Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., for losses sustained or
liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission if such Indemnitee acted in good faith.
Also, our general partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of
any agent appointed by our general partner in good faith to exercise any of the powers granted to
our general partner or to perform any of the duties imposed upon it pursuant to the applicable
partnership agreement.
Ferrellgas, Inc.
The Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and bylaws of Ferrellgas, Inc. also provide for
similar indemnification rights and benefits for its officers and directors from and against any and
all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (joint or several), expenses (including, without
limitation, legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements and other
amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any officer or director of Ferrellgas, Inc. may
be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise; provided, however, the
officers or directors must have acted in good faith, in a manner in which such person or entity
believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of Ferrellgas, Inc. and, with respect to
any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe its conduct was unlawful. Ferrellgas,
Inc. is also under similar obligations to advance expenses to its officers and directors relating
to indemnified claims and Ferrellgas, Inc. has, to the extent commercially reasonable, purchased
and currently maintains insurance on behalf of its officers and directors.
Furthermore, the directors of Ferrellgas, Inc. are not personally liable to Ferrellgas, Inc.
or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability:
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for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to Ferrellgas, Inc. or its
stockholders; |
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for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
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for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or
redemptions under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware;
or |
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for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit. |
Ferrellgas, Inc., and Ferrell Companies, Inc. its sole shareholder, have also entered into an
employment agreement with James E. Ferrell. Pursuant to this employment agreement, Ferrellgas,
Inc. and Ferrell Companies, Inc. have agreed to indemnify Mr. Ferrell to the fullest extent
permitted by law against any liability he incurs, or that is threatened against him, during or
after termination of his employment, by reason of the fact that he was a director, officer,
employee or agent of Ferrellgas, Inc. and Ferrell Companies, Inc. These indemnity obligations also
extend to any service at the request of Ferrellgas, Inc. or Ferrell Companies, Inc. as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation or entity.
None of the indemnification rights described herein are exclusive of any other rights to which
an Indemnitee, or other applicable person, may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of
stockholders, unitholders or disinterested directors, as a matter of law or otherwise, both as to
action in the Indemnitees, or other applicable persons, official capacity with either partnership
or Ferrellgas, Inc. and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall
continue after the Indemnitee, or other applicable person, has ceased to be an officer or director
of either partnership or Ferrellgas, Inc., and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors
and administrators of the Indemnitee, or other applicable person.
II-2
Item 16. Exhibits
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Exhibit Number |
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Description |
3.1
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Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas Partners,
L.P. dated as of February 18, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to
the Current Report on Form 8-K of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. filed February 18, 2003. |
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3.2
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First Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership
of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., dated as of March 8, 2005. Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 8, 2005. |
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3.3
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Second Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership
of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., dated as of June 29, 2005. Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 30, 2005. |
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4.1
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Specimen Certificate evidencing Common Units representing Limited Partner Interests
(contained in Exhibit 3.1 as Exhibit A thereto). |
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4.2
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Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 17, 1999, by and between
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Williams Natural Gas Liquids, Inc. Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 29, 2000. |
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4.3
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First Amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2000, by
and between Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Williams Natural Gas Liquids, Inc.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed
March 16, 2000. |
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4.4
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Second Amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 6, 2001, by
and between Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and The Williams Companies, Inc. Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 6, 2001. |
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4.5
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Third Amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2005,
between JEF Capital Management, Inc. and Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report of Form 8-K filed June 30, 2005. |
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*5.1
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Opinion of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP as to the legality of the common units
registered hereby. |
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*8.1
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Opinion of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP as to tax matters. |
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* 23.1
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Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP. |
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*23.2
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Consent of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP (contained in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1 herewith). |
II-3
Item 17. Undertakings
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
A. to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this registration statement:
1. to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
2. to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the
registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or
in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration
statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered
(if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and
any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in
the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes
in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set
forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement;
3. to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs A.1 and A.2 above do not apply if the registration statement is
on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the
registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
B. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
C. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
D. That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
filing of the registrants annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plans
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
E. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Overland Park, State of Kansas, on December 7, 2005.
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FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. |
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By:
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FERRELLGAS, INC., its general partner |
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By:
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/s/ James E. Ferrell |
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James E. Ferrell
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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Name |
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Title |
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Date |
/s/ James E. Ferrell
James E. Ferrell |
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Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of
Ferrellgas, Inc. (Principal
Executive Officer)
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December 7, 2005 |
/s William K. Hoskins
William K. Hoskins |
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Director of Ferrellgas, Inc.
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December 7, 2005 |
/s/ A. Andrew Levison
A. Andrew Levison |
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Director of Ferrellgas, Inc.
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December 7, 2005 |
/s/ John R. Lowden
John R. Lowden |
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Director of Ferrellgas, Inc.
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December 7, 2005 |
/s/ Michael F. Morrissey
Michael F. Morrissey |
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Director of Ferrellgas, Inc.
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December 7, 2005 |
/s/ Billy D. Prim
Billy D. Prim |
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Director of Ferrellgas, Inc.
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December 7, 2005 |
/s/ Elizabeth T. Solberg
Elizabeth T. Solberg |
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Director of Ferrellgas, Inc.
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December 7, 2005 |
/s/ Kevin T. Kelly
Kevin T. Kelly |
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Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of
Ferrellgas, Inc. (Principal
Financial and Accounting
Officer)
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December 7, 2005 |
II-5
Exhibit Index
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Exhibit Number |
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Description |
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3.1
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Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas Partners,
L.P. dated as of February 18, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the
Current Report on Form 8-K of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. filed February 18, 2003. |
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3.2
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First Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership
of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., dated as of March 8, 2005. Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 8, 2005. |
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3.3
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Second Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership
of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., dated as of June 29, 2005. Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 30, 2005. |
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4.1
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Specimen Certificate evidencing Common Units representing Limited Partner Interests
(contained in Exhibit 3.1 as Exhibit A thereto). |
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4.2
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Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 17, 1999, by and between
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Williams Natural Gas Liquids, Inc. Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 29, 2000. |
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4.3
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First Amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2000, by
and between Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Williams Natural Gas Liquids, Inc. |
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Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed
March 16, 2000. |
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4.4
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Second Amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 6, 2001, by
and between Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and The Williams Companies, Inc. Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 6, 2001. |
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4.5
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Third Amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2005,
between JEF Capital Management, Inc. and Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report of Form 8-K filed June 30, 2005. |
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*5.1
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Opinion of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP as to the legality of the common units
registered hereby. |
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*8.1
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Opinion of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP as to tax matters. |
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* 23.1
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Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP. |
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*23.2
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Consent of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP (contained in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1 herewith). |
Exhibit Index
exv5w1
Exhibit 5.1
[Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP letterhead]
December 7, 2005
Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP
700 Louisiana Street
Suite 3600
Houston, Texas 77002-2730
Main Tel (713) 221-1651
Main Fax (713) 224-6410
www.mayerbrownrowe.com
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
7500 College Boulevard, Suite 1000
Overland Park, KS 66210
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Re: |
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Equity Issuance from Registration Statement on Form S-3 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
(the Issuer), in connection with the preparation of (i) the Issuers Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (the Registration Statement) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
Commission) on the date hereof pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
Securities Act), related to the offering by or for the account of the selling unitholder named
therein and its assigns, if any, as specified therein (the Selling Unitholder) of up to 3,972,409
common units representing limited partner interests of the Issuer (the Units) and (ii) the
prospectus contained in the Registration Statement (the Prospectus).
As special counsel to the Issuer, we have examined, reviewed and relied upon originals or
copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the Certificate of Limited
Partnership of the Issuer, (ii) the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of
the Issuer, as amended (the Partnership Agreement), (iii) the Registration Statement, (iv) the
Prospectus, (v) resolutions of the Board of Directors of the general partner of the Issuer (the
General Partner) regarding, among other things, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and
the issuances of the common units and the registration rights agreement related thereto and (vi)
such other documents, faxes, certificates, instruments and records as we have deemed necessary,
desirable or relevant for purposes hereof. We have also examined, reviewed and relied upon
certificates of officers of the General Partner and faxes and certificates of public officials, as
to certain matters of fact relating to this opinion and have made such investigations of law as we
have deemed necessary and relevant as a basis hereof.
In our examinations and investigations, we have assumed (i) the genuineness of all signatures
on, and the authenticity of, all of the foregoing documents, faxes, certificates, instruments and
records (collectively, the Documents) submitted to us as originals and the conformity to the
original documents, faxes, certificates, instruments and records of all such Documents submitted to
us as copies, (ii) the truthfulness of all statements of fact set forth in such Documents, (iii)
the due authorization, execution and delivery by the parties thereto, other than the Issuer and the
General Partner, of all Documents examined by us and (iv) that, to the extent such Documents
purport to constitute agreements of parties other than the Issuer and the General Partner, such
Documents constitute valid, binding and enforceable obligations of such other parties.
Based on the foregoing and subject to the limitations, conditions and assumptions set forth
herein, and having due regard for such legal considerations as we deem relevant, we are of the
opinion that the Units are duly authorized, validly issued and, on the assumption that the holders
of the Units take no part in the control of the Issuers business and otherwise act in conformity
with the provisions of the Partnership Agreement regarding the control and management of the
Issuer, the Units are fully paid and non-assessable (except as non-assessability may be affected by
particular provisions of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the Delaware
Act)).
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
December 7, 2005
Page 2
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement,
and to the reference to us in the Prospectus under the caption Legal Matters. In giving this
consent, we do not admit that we are experts, within the meaning of that term as used in the
Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission issued thereunder, with respect to
any part of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, including this opinion as an exhibit or
otherwise.
The foregoing opinion is strictly limited to the matters stated herein, and no other or more
extensive opinion is intended or implied or to be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated
herein. The foregoing opinion is based on and is limited to, as in effect on the date hereof, the
Delaware Act, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, which includes those statutory
provisions as well as all applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and the reported
judicial decisions interpreting such laws, and the relevant Federal law of the United States of
America, and we render no opinion with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction or, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction.
It is understood that this opinion is to be used only in connection with the offer and sale by
the Issuer of the Units while the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are in effect. Other
than as expressly stated above, we express no opinion on any issue relating to the Issuer or to any
investment therein. The opinions expressed herein are as of the date hereof, and we undertake no
responsibility to update this opinion after the date hereof and assume no responsibility for
advising you of any changes with respect to any matters described in this opinion that may occur
subsequent to the date hereof or with respect to the discovery subsequent to the date hereof of
information not previously known to us pertaining to events occurring prior to the date hereof.
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Sincerely,
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/s/ Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP
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MAYER, BROWN, ROWE & MAW LLP |
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exv8w1
Exhibit 8.1
[Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP letterhead]
December 7, 2005
Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606-4637
Main Tel (312) 782-0600
Main Fax (312) 701-7711
www.mayerbrownrowe.com
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
7500 College Boulevard, Suite 1000
Overland Park, KS 66210
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Re: |
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Registration Statement on Form S-3 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special tax counsel to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership (the Partnership) in connection with the preparation of (i) the Partnerships
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the Registration Statement), as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the Commission) on the date hereof, relating to the offering and sale from
time to time of 3,972,409 common units representing limited partner interests of the Partnership
and (ii) the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement (the Prospectus). In formulating
our opinion referred to below, we have participated in the preparation of the discussion set forth
under the heading Tax Consequences in the Prospectus.
In connection therewith, we have reviewed and relied upon (i) the Fourth Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, as amended, (ii) the Third Amended and
Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas, L.P. (the Operating Partnership), (iii)
the Registration Statement, (iv) the Prospectus and (v) such other documents and information
provided by you, and such applicable provisions of law as we have considered necessary or desirable
for purposes of the opinion expressed herein. In addition, we have relied upon certain
representations made by an officer of Ferrellgas, Inc., the general partner of the Partnership and
the Operating Partnership, relating to the organization and actual and proposed operation of the
Partnership and the Operating Partnership.
For purposes of our opinion, we have not made an independent investigation of the facts set
forth in the foregoing documents. We have, consequently, relied upon your representations that the
information presented in such documents or otherwise furnished to us accurately and completely
describes all material facts. In rendering our opinion, we have also assumed that all terms and
provisions of such documents will be complied with by all parties thereto and are enforceable under
applicable law. No facts have come to our attention, however, that would cause us to question the
accuracy or completeness of such facts or documents in a material way.
Our opinion expressed herein is also based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and the interpretations of the Code and such
regulations by the courts and the Internal Revenue Service, all as they are in effect and exist as
of the date hereof. It should be noted that statutes, regulations, judicial decisions and
administrative interpretations are subject to change at any time and, in some circumstances, with
retroactive effect. A material change that is made after the date hereof in any of the foregoing
bases for our opinion could adversely affect our conclusions.
The opinion expressed herein is limited to the federal laws of the United States. We are not
purporting to opine on any matter to the extent that it involves the laws of any other
jurisdiction.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, the statements set forth in the Prospectus under the
heading Tax Consequences, to the extent that they constitute legal conclusions and subject to the
qualifications set forth therein, constitute our opinions as to the matters set forth therein.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement
and to the reference to our firm in the Prospectus. In giving this consent, we do not admit that
we are experts, within the meaning of that term as used in the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission issued thereunder, with respect to any part
of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, including this opinion as an exhibit or otherwise.
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Sincerely,
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/s/ Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP
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MAYER, BROWN, ROWE & MAW LLP |
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exv23w1
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
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We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of: |
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our reports dated October 11, 2005, relating to the consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedules of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and
Ferrellgas, L.P. and managements reports on the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting and the financial statements of Ferrellgas Partners Finance
Corp. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., Ferrellgas, L.P. and
Ferrellgas Finance Corp. for the year ended July 31, 2005, as amended on Form
10-K/A; and |
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our report dated November 4, 2005, relating to the consolidated financial
statements of Ferrellgas, Inc. and Subsidiaries appearing in the Current Report on
Form 8-K of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.,
Ferrellgas, L.P. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. dated December 7, 2005. |
We also consent to the reference to us under the heading Experts in the Prospectus, which is part
of this Registration Statement.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
December 7, 2005