Maryland Voting Trust and Divestiture Agreement refers to a legally binding arrangement typically established to ensure compliance with the state's regulations regarding the separation of ownership and voting rights of a company's shares. This agreement is often entered into when there is a need for the transparent divestiture of assets or the consolidation of voting power within the state of Maryland. A Maryland Voting Trust and Divestiture Agreement involves the transfer of legal ownership and control of a company's shares to a trustee or group of trustees, known as the voting trust, while still allowing the beneficial ownership rights and economic interests to be retained by the original shareholders. This arrangement is beneficial in instances where shareholders want to sell their shares or consolidate voting power but need to meet certain legal requirements. One type of Maryland Voting Trust and Divestiture Agreement is the "Pre-merger Voting Trust Agreement." In this scenario, the agreement is established before a merger or consolidation takes place, allowing the voting rights of the shareholders to be temporarily transferred to a trustee until the completion of the transaction. Another type is the "Post-merger Voting Trust Agreement," which is executed after a merger or consolidation has occurred. This agreement facilitates the transfer of voting rights to a trustee, enabling the consolidation of voting power and the elimination of conflicts of interest that may arise among the merged or consolidated entities. The "Divestiture Agreement" is a separate but related contract that may accompany a Maryland Voting Trust Agreement. This agreement defines the terms and conditions under which a company agrees to divest specific assets, subsidiaries, or divisions as required by Maryland regulations. It sets out the timeframe, method, and terms of the divestiture, aiming to ensure transparency, fairness, and compliance with applicable laws. In summary, a Maryland Voting Trust and Divestiture Agreement is a legally binding arrangement used to separate ownership and voting rights of shares, typically to comply with state regulations. It involves the transfer of voting rights to a trustee while retaining beneficial ownership rights. Two types of voting trust agreements are the pre-merger and post-merger agreements, while the divestiture agreement specifies the terms for asset divestitures.