Tap any paragraph to write a margin note. Your notes collect in the Desk below the text and file under cases with @. The side-by-side margin rail opens on a larger screen.

Code · REGISTER · 2005-05-02 · SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION · Notices

Notices. Notice of reporting requirements submitted for OBM review

15,386 words·~70 min read·/register/2005/05/02/05-8672·

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

BILLING CODE 4310-4R-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Proposed Collection; Comment Request Upon written request, copies available from: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, Washington, DC 20549. *Extension:* Regulation S-T, OMB Control No. 3235-0424, SEC File No. 270-375. Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 *et seq.* ) the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) is soliciting comments on the collection of information summarized below.
The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget for extension and approval. Regulation S-T (OMB Control No. 3235-0375; SEC File No. 270-424) sets forth the filing requirements relating to the submission of documents in electronic format on the Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) system. Regulation S-T is only assigned one burden hour for administrative convenience because it does not directly impose any information collection requirements.
Written comments are invited on:
(a)Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
(b)the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information;
(c)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and
(d)ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted in writing within 60 days of this publication. Please direct your written comments to R. Corey Booth, Director/Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549. Dated: April 25, 2005. Margaret H. McFarland, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-2086 Filed 4-29-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Proposed Collection; Comment Request Upon written request, copies available from: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, Washington, DC 20549. *Extension:* Rule 236, OMB Control No. 3235-0095, SEC File No. 270-118. Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 *et seq.* ), the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) is soliciting comments on the collection of information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget for extension and approval. Rule 236 under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”) requires issuers choosing to rely on an exemption from Securities Act registration for the issuance of fractional shares, scrip certificates or order forms, in connection with a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, conversion, merger or similar transaction to furnish specified information to the Commission in writing at least ten days prior to the offering. The information is needed to provide public notice that an issuer is relying on the exemption. Public companies are the likely respondents. An estimated ten submissions are made pursuant to Rule 236 annually, resulting in an estimated annual total burden of 15 hours. Written comments are invited on:
(a)Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
(b)the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information;
(c)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and
(d)ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted in writing within 60 days of this publication. Please direct your written comments to R. Corey Booth, Director/Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549. Dated: April 25, 2005. Margaret H. McFarland, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-2087 Filed 4-29-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-51605; File No. SR-NASD-2005-004] Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change and Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 Thereto Relating to Annual Compliance Meetings April 25, 2005. On January 13, 2005, the National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission” or “SEC”) a proposed rule change, pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) 1 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, 2 to clarify that the system that each member is required to establish and maintain to supervise the activities of registered representatives and associated persons also applies to registered principals. On March 1, 2005, NASD filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change. 3 On March 9, 2005, NASD filed Amendment No. 2 to the proposed rule change. 4 The proposed rule change, as amended, was published for comment in the **Federal Register** on March 21, 2005. 5 The Commission received two comment letters on the proposal, as amended. 6 On April 22, 2005, the NASD filed a response to the comment letters. 7 This order approves the proposed rule change, as amended. 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b-4. 3 In Amendment No. 1, the NASD further clarified that the scope of NASD Rules 3010(a), 3010(a)(3), and 3010(b)(1), specifically extends to registered representatives and registered principals, as well as other associated persons. 4 In Amendment No. 2, the NASD filed a partial amendment to the proposed rule change to remove the underlining from the term “applicable NASD Rules” in NASD Rule 3010(a), as it is part of the existing rule text. 5 *See* Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51368 (March 14, 2005), 70 FR 13560 (March 21, 2005). 6 *See* letters from Jed Bandes, dated April 7, 2005 (“Bandes Letter”) and William F. Marshall, President, First Winston Securities, Inc., dated April 11, 2005 (“First Winston Letter”). 7 *See* letter to Katherine A. England, Assistant Director, Division of Market Regulation from Afshin Atabaki, Counsel, NASD, dated April 22, 2005 (“NASD Response Letter”). I. Description of Proposed Rule Change NASD proposes to amend NASD Rule 3010(a)(7) to require that registered principals, in addition to registered representatives, attend an annual compliance meeting. NASD Rule 3010(a)(7) currently requires the attendance of registered representatives at annual compliance meetings, but it does not require the attendance of registered principals. NASD believes that registered principals also should be required to attend such meetings given the supervisory and compliance-related functions that principals perform and that the primary purpose of these meetings is to discuss compliance issues and keep registered persons current on changing compliance requirements or changes in the firm. Accordingly, NASD proposes to amend NASD Rule 3010(a)(7) to require that all registered principals, in addition to registered representatives, attend an annual compliance meeting in accordance with the Rule. Further, although registered principals are included in the definition of associated person 8 and thus are included in the scope of NASD Rule 3010(a), registered principals are not specifically listed in NASD Rule 3010(a). Therefore, NASD proposes a technical amendment to NASD Rule 3010(a) to clarify that each member is required to establish and maintain a system to supervise the activities of each registered representative, registered principal, and associated person. 8 *See* NASD Rule 1011(b). NASD represents that the proposal clarifies that this provision applies to registered representatives and registered principals, as well as all other associated persons. To be consistent with this proposed amendment to NASD Rule 3010(a), NASD is proposing similar changes to NASD Rules 3010(a)(3) and 3010(b)(1) to clarify that the scope of these rules extends to registered representatives and registered principals, as well as other associated persons. 9 NASD is also proposing to replace a reference to “Association” with “NASD” in the text of NASD Rule 3010(b)(1) to reflect the fact that NASD no longer refers to itself using its full corporate name, “Association,” or “the NASD.” 9 *See* Amendment No. 1, *supra* note 3. II. Summary of Comment and NASD's Response The Commission received two comment letters on the proposed rule change that opposed the adoption of the proposal in its current form. 10 10 *See* First Winston Letter and Bandes Letter. Specifically, one commenter stated that the proposed rule change requiring principals to attend compliance meetings at the NASD was “bureaucratic excess and self indulgence” as well as difficult to comply with for handicapped individuals. 11 A second commenter stated that the NASD's proposal would “impose an undue hardship both in time and monetarily” for small firms. 12 11 *See* Bandes Letter. 12 *See* First Winston Letter. NASD responded by stating that the commenters mischaracterized the proposal. NASD explained that the proposal requires the attendance of registered principals (in addition to registered representatives) at annual compliance meetings that are conducted by their respective member firms, not the NASD. Furthermore, NASD responded to the commenters' concerns by noting that the rule itself states that members are provided with substantial flexibility in implementing the compliance meeting requirement. NASD further stated that the proposal expressly allows the compliance meeting to be conducted at a principal's place of business and outside of regular business hours. Additionally the meeting may be conducted by video conference, interactive classroom setting, telephone or other interactive means provided appropriate safeguards are in place. 13 13 *See* NASD Response Letter. III. Discussion The Commission has carefully reviewed the proposed rule change, the comment letters, and NASD's response and finds that the proposed rule change, as amended, is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities association. 14 In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change, as amended, is consistent with Section 15A. 15 Specifically, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act because it is designed to promote just and equitable principals of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. 16 14 In approving this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 15 15 U.S.C. 78 *o* -3. 16 15 U.S.C. 78 *o* -3(b)(6). The NASD's response to the comments adequately addresses the concerns raised. Moreover, the Commission believes that requiring registered principals to attend an interview or meeting at least annually at which relevant compliance matters are discussed will help to ensure that registered principals are current on new compliance requirements and changes at their firms. IV. Conclusion *It is therefore ordered,* pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, 17 that the proposed rule change (SR-NASD-2005-004), as amended, is approved. 17 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 18 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 18 Margaret H. McFarland, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-2065 Filed 4-29-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-51609; File No. SR-NASD-2005-013] Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto To Create a Uniform Pricing Structure for the Nasdaq Market Center April 26, 2005. Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”), 1 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, 2 notice is hereby given that on February 8, 2005, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”), through its subsidiary, The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (“Nasdaq”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by Nasdaq. On April 19, 2005, Nasdaq amended the proposed rule change. 3 The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as amended, from interested persons. 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b-4. 3 *See* Amendment No. 1 (replacing and superseding the original filing in its entirety). I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change Nasdaq proposes to establish a uniform schedule of fees for all market participants using the trade execution services of the Nasdaq Market Center. Nasdaq would implement the proposed rule change immediately upon approval by the Commission. The text of the proposed rule change, as amended, is available on Nasdaq's Web site ( *http://www.nasdaq.com/about/LegalCompliance.stm* ), at Nasdaq's principal office, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, Nasdaq included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. Nasdaq has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose Nasdaq is proposing the adoption of a uniform pricing and credit rebate structure applicable to all users of the Nasdaq Market Center. Under the proposal, all users of the Nasdaq Market Center would be charged the same tier-based per-share amounts for entering orders into the system, and all users would be entitled to the same tier-based levels of rebate credits based on the liquidity provided by those orders. 4 4 This same pricing structure also applies to Nasdaq's Brut facility. To accomplish this, Nasdaq proposes to:
(1)Eliminate the separate $0.001 fee it currently imposes on market participants for non-directed or preferenced orders that access the quote/orders of market participants that charge access fees for accessing their quotes/orders through the Nasdaq Market Center; and
(2)require that electronic communication networks (“ECNs”) and alternative trading systems (“ATSs”) that wish to participate in the Nasdaq Market Center not charge any fee to broker-dealers that access them through the Nasdaq Market Center. Nasdaq believes that the adoption of a uniform fee structure appropriately recognizes the similarities among all categories of market participants when they provide liquidity through the display of priced orders using the Nasdaq Market Center. Further, Nasdaq believes that adoption of the uniform pricing structure described above would increase the level of cost certainty and price transparency for users of the Nasdaq Market Center, thereby allowing them to make better-informed decisions about where and how to place their orders for potential execution. Finally, by centralizing through Nasdaq the imposition and collection of fees and the payment of credit rebates, Nasdaq expects to reduce the administrative burden on many market participants that currently pay execution fees and receive rebates for transactions initiated through the Nasdaq Market Center using a variety of payment processes, depending on the counter-party to a specific trade. 2. Statutory Basis Nasdaq believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of section 15A of the Act, 5 in general and with section 15A(b)(6) of the Act, 6 in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. 5 15 U.S.C. 78o-3. 6 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6). In addition, Nasdaq believes that establishing uniform pricing across all categories of market participants is consistent with section 15A(b)(5), 7 as well as Commission Regulation ATS, 8 the Adopting Release for which stated that “[t]here are a number of ways the exchange or association could address the issue of fees charged by alternative trading systems. For example, subject to Commission review and approval, an exchange or association could establish a standard for what constitutes a fair and reasonable fee for non-subscriber access to an alternative trading system.” 9 Furthermore, Regulation ATS' Rule 301(b)(4) provides in relevant part that, “ * * * if the national securities exchange or national securities association to which an alternative trading system provides the prices and sizes of orders * * * establishes rules designed to ensure consistency with standards for access to the quotations displayed on such national securities exchange, or the market operated by such national securities association, the alternative trading system shall not charge any fee to members that is contrary to, that is not disclosed in the manner required by, or that is inconsistent with any standard of equivalent access established by such rules.” 10 7 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(5). 8 17 CFR 242.300 *et seq.* 9 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 40760 (Dec. 8, 1998), 63 FR 70844, 70871 (Dec. 22, 1998). 10 17 CFR 242.301(b)(4). B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition Nasdaq does not believe that the proposed rule change would result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act, as amended. As the Commission noted in its approval of SR-NASD-2003-128, which created the current $0.003 per-share maximum ECN access fee, the ability of an SRO to establish access fee standards is specifically permitted by Regulation ATS, and not prohibited by either sections 15A or 6(e) of the Exchange Act. 11 In addition, the Commission reiterated that, for an access fee rule to be approved by the Commission, the rule must be necessary to maintain consistency within the SRO's market and be designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to promote fair competition, to facilitate transactions in securities, and in general, to protect investors and the public interest. 12 Nasdaq believes that the instant proposal satisfies these requirements. 11 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 49220 (Feb. 11, 2004), 69 FR 7836, 7841-42 (Feb. 19, 2004). 12 *See id.* at 7840. First, the Nasdaq Market Center remains a voluntary system, and ECNs unwilling to accept the same fee structure as other users of the Nasdaq Market Center are free to trade on other venues or participate in the Nasdaq Market Center as order-entry firms. Second, as noted above, Nasdaq's proposal is designed to provide a level of cost-certainty and price transparency that seeks to encourage greater use of the Nasdaq Market Center—including increased participation by market makers, order-entry firms, and ECNs. Finally, the proposed uniform fee structure ensures the equal treatment of all users of the system, maintains consistency within the Nasdaq Market Center, and prevents the system's neutral execution algorithms from being used to impose non-competitive fees on other market participants. C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others Written comments were neither solicited nor received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the **Federal Register** or within such longer period
(i)as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or
(ii)as to which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will: A. By order approve such proposed rule change; or B. Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change, as amended, is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments • Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( *http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml* ); or • Send an e-mail to *rule-comments@sec.gov.* Please include File Number SR-NASD-2005-013 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASD-2005-013. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's Internet Web site ( *http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml* ). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Section. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the NASD. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASD-2005-013 and should be submitted on or before May 23, 2005. For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 13 13 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). Margaret H. McFarland, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-2078 Filed 4-29-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-51611; File No. SR-NASD-2005-026] Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change Relating to TRACE Market Data Fees April 26, 2005. I. Introduction On February 11, 2005, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) 1 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, 2 a proposed rule change relating to Transaction Reporting and Compliance Engine (“TRACE”) market data fees. The Commission published the proposed rule change for comment in the **Federal Register** on March 16, 2005. 3 The Commission received one comment letter on the proposal. 4 On April 25, 2005, NASD filed a response to the comment letter. 5 This order approves the proposed rule change. 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b-4. 3 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51336 (March 9, 2005), 70 FR 12921 (March 16, 2005) (“Notice”). 4 *See* letter from Andrew C. Wels, Chairman, Technology & Regulation Market Data Subcommittee, Securities Industry Association (“SIA”), to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Commission, received April 8, 2005 (undated) (“SIA Letter”). 5 *See* letter from Sharon K. Zackula, Associate General Counsel, NASD, to Katherine A. England, Assistant Director, Division of Market Regulation, Commission, dated April 25, 2005 (“NASD Letter”). II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change The proposed rule change would amend NASD Rule 7010(k) relating to TRACE transaction data to:
(i)Terminate the Bond Trade Dissemination Service (“BTDS”) Internal Usage Authorization Fee and the BTDS External Usage Authorization Fee and, in lieu of both fees, establish a Vendor Real-Time Data Feed Fee;
(ii)define the term “Tax Exempt Organization,” and amend the defined term “Non-Professional” for purposes of NASD Rule 7010(k)(3); and
(iii)make other minor, technical amendments. The proposal is discussed in greater detail in the Commission's notice soliciting public comment. 6 6 *See* Notice, *supra* note 3. III. Summary of Comments Received and NASD Response The Commission received one comment letter on the proposal. 7 The SIA Letter supports NASD's proposed rule change. However, the commenter requests that NASD clarify whether “market data subscribers who are natural persons using a brokerage account established in the name of an entity name they or their family control” are considered “Non-Professional” within the meaning of the rule. 8 In addition, the commenter states, with regard to a reduced fee for Tax Exempt Organizations, that further review “may be warranted to determine the justifiable basis for a reduced fee, including a better description of the tax exempt organizations that would benefit from a reduced price structure, a better explanation as to why the reduced fee is necessary, and an analysis of the potential impact such a proposal may have on competition.” 9 7 SIA Letter, *supra* note 4. 8 *Id.* at 3. 9 *Id.* at 4. In response to the SIA Letter, NASD states that it “will consider identifying certain non-natural persons as “Non-Professionals” as part of its continuing review and interpretation of TRACE data fees and access.” 10 In addition, NASD states that “[t]he proposed definition of Tax-Exempt Organization limits significantly the number and type of organizations that may apply to receive Real-Time TRACE transaction data at the reduced fee and, by definition, limits the use of Real-Time TRACE transaction data solely for data access programs for the benefit of individual investors and not for commercial purposes.” 11 Given these restrictions, NASD does not believe that the proposal will result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. 12 10 NASD Letter at 2 (“For purposes of TRACE fees, NASD has interpreted the term “Non-Professional” to further NASD's goal of providing access to TRACE market data at no charge to persons who seek to use TRACE market data for personal, rather than commercial, purposes.”). 11 *Id.* at 3. 12 *See id.* The SIA Letter also stated that the rationale NASD followed in its proposal—that financial services industry employees should be considered non-professionals when they access data for personal, non-commercial uses—should be applied uniformly to all other individual subscribers of bond or equity market data no matter which self regulatory organization, directly or indirectly, controls the market data. 13 The SIA Letter petitions the Commission for rulemaking to review the definitions of “Professional” and “Non-Professional” as interpreted for market data fee and administrative purposes by the Consolidated Tape Association, the NASDAQ UTP Plan, the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, the Options Price Reporting Authority, and NASD. 14 This petition will be considered separately from this proposal. 13 SIA Letter at 1. 14 *See id.* IV. Discussion After careful consideration, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder that are applicable to a national securities association. 15 In particular, the Commission believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with section 15A(b)(6) of the Act, 16 which requires, among other things, that the rules of an association be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest, and section 15A(b)(5) of the Act, 17 which requires, among other things, that rules of an association provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among members, issuers, and other persons using any facility or system which the association operates or controls. Consolidating the two TRACE data fees into one fee and reducing the TRACE data fee for qualifying Tax-Exempt Organizations appears reasonable and should not adversely affect the use and distribution of TRACE data. In addition, the Commission believes that clarifying who is a “Non-Professional” and therefore is not subject to TRACE fees is reasonable and consistent with the goal of wide dissemination of TRACE transaction data. 15 In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission notes that it has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. *See* 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 16 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6). 17 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(5). V. Conclusion It is therefore ordered, pursuant to section 19(b)(2) of the Act, 18 that the proposed rule change (SR-NASD-2005-026) be, and it hereby is, approved. 18 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 19 19 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). Margaret H. McFarland, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-2079 Filed 4-29-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-51613; File No. SR-NYSE-2004-42] Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto To Eliminate the Requirement That a Floor Official Approve Certain Transactions on the Exchange's Automated Bond System April 26, 2005. Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) 1 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, 2 notice is hereby given that on August 10, 2004, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the NYSE. On March 30, 2005, the NYSE filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change. 3 The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as amended, from interested persons. 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b-4. 3 In Amendment No. 1, which replaced and superceded the original filing in its entirety, the NYSE supplemented its rationale for the proposal by, among other things, describing the process that a Floor Official follows when considering whether to approve a transaction that would occur at a price that is at least two points or more than 30 days from the last transaction; recounting some of the history of bond trading on the NYSE; explaining that the Exchange has not found it necessary to reinstate the two-point/30-day provision for convertible bonds since it eliminated its applicability to convertible bonds in 1998; and noting that Exchange Rule 86(g) requires all orders to be entered into ABS at a limit price, and that ABS automatically asks a user to reconfirm the price of an order that is entered at a price two or more points away from the last sale. I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The NYSE proposes to amend Exchange Rule 86(g) relating to the Exchange's Automated Bond System® (“ABS”). The text of the proposed rule change, as amended, is available on the NYSE's Web site ( *http://www.nyse.com* ), at the NYSE's principal office, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the NYSE included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The NYSE's Fixed Income Market is centered on its ABS, a fully automated trading and information system that allows subscribing firms to enter, maintain, view, and execute bond orders through screen displays in their offices. Orders are maintained, displayed, and matched in ABS on a strict price-and-time priority basis. ABS displays current market data and provides subscribers with immediate execution reports and locked-in trade comparisons. ABS also provides real-time last sale and quotation information to subscribers and market data vendors. At year-end 2004, ABS had a subscriber base of 37 member firms with an installed base of 115 screens. All bonds listed on the NYSE trade through ABS. Exchange bond volume for the year 2004 was approximately $1.3 billion par value. About 94% of NYSE bond volume was in straight, or non-convertible, debt and the remaining 6% of NYSE bond volume was in convertible bonds. Exchange Rule 86 governs trading in ABS. Existing NYSE Rule 86(g) requires that all ABS transactions in non-convertible bonds that are made two points or more away from the last sale, or more than 30 days after the last sale, may be made only with the approval of a Floor Official. As a practical matter, the Floor Official may require that the bonds be bid up or offered down before approving such transactions. 4 4 If, for example, an order is entered into ABS to buy 10 XYZ bonds at 93 when the last sale for XYZ occurred at 90, the Floor Official could determine that XYZ bond should be “bid up” at a decided price increment away from the limit order for a decided period of time, typically one “point” for one minute. The NYSE bond supervisor would then enter the bidding-up starting price, price increment, time increment, and final price into ABS, upon which a message appears on all ABS screens alerting subscribing firms that bidding up in XYZ has commenced. An ABS user could execute against that “bid” by entering an order to sell at 91 into the system. If, after one minute, the “bid” at 91 generated no interest among ABS users, the order would be bid at 92 for one minute. If that “bid” generated no interest, then the order would, after one minute, be bid at 93 or be matched (traded) at 93, depending on whether there was a contra-side order to sell at 93 in the ABS at that point in time. Telephone conversation between Fred Siesel, Consultant, NYSE, and Tim Fox, Attorney, Commission on April 18, 2005. The Exchange proposes to eliminate the current NYSE Rule 86(g). The requirement in Exchange Rule 86(g) for Floor Officials to approve orders entered at an increment of two points or greater from the last transaction has long been made unnecessary by the fact that ABS is an order-driven system in which subscribing firms may enter only priced orders, and a firm entering an order in ABS at a variation of two points or greater is already required to immediately confirm the price of such order prior to the order's acceptance into ABS. The entering firm would no longer need to confirm an order entered into ABS more than 30 days from the last trade of the bond issue, if the price of the entered order were less than two points from the previous trade price. The requirements that orders entered into ABS be priced and that the user entering the order must reconfirm the price of an order entered at a variation of two points or greater from the last sale have been programmed into ABS since its inception. The Exchange believes that, because firms entering orders into ABS control and are responsible for the orders they enter into ABS, the requirements of current NYSE Rule 86(g) are unnecessary. They are a legacy from the time when NYSE bond trading was floor-based, rather than screen-based. These requirements slow down trading in ABS and may result in a loss of liquidity. For example, during the period when an order is “bid up” or “offered down” under the existing rule, a resting offer/bid in the system might be cancelled, thus causing the order being bid up/offered down to miss the opportunity to interact with the resting order. The time involved in the Floor Official's review of the situation, and the time for the Floor Official to determine whether to bid up/offer down can act to the detriment of the order. Once an order is entered into ABS, the process is electronic and still provides a price confirmation component to help ensure that orders are priced correctly. Before ABS was developed, the NYSE's bond floor involved two trading “arenas.” One was the “free crowd,” where bond floor brokers primarily traded convertible bonds and a handful of active non-convertible bonds. The other arena involved “cabinet” trading. In the free crowd, brokers left their mnemonic broker identifications with indications of buying or selling interest next to the bond symbol on one of a number of boards containing multiple bond symbols. The indications were entered in pencil and the boards were erasable and cleaned after the close of trading. If a broker had an interest on the contra side of an existing indication, the broker would announce that interest to the broker on the opposite side. The brokers would agree on price, subject to the undisclosed limits of their orders. Also, with the broker's announcement of interest in a particular bond, other brokers would often join the crowd and trade according to the floor trading rules of precedence and parity. Cabinet trading involved cards of orders to buy and sell bonds which were organized, by bond, in racks. The order cards were organized in sequence according to price and time priority under former NYSE Rule 85. When orders matched, bond floor clerks took the matching orders to bond floor brokers to write the trade tickets. Firms not having brokers regularly on the bond floor were represented by one of the bond floor brokers; however, any equity floor broker could execute bond orders on the bond floor. All completed bond trades were reported on the dedicated bond ticker. ABS initially replaced manual cabinet trading, providing immediate matching and reporting of non-free-crowd bond trades and quotations with size. Free crowd trade prices, without quotations, were also reported through ABS. In the mid-1980s, the few non-convertible bonds that traded in the free crowd were moved to ABS. In 1998, the convertible bonds commenced trading in ABS on a price-and-time priority basis. The two-point/30-day provision was eliminated for convertible bonds when, in 1998, the physical bond floor was closed and trading in convertible bonds was transferred to ABS. 5 The Exchange asserts that, since that time, there have not been any problems with respect to the trading of convertible bonds, nor has there been a situation requiring the reinstatement of the requirement of Floor Official approval if a transaction would occur at two points or more away or more than 30 days away from the last sale. 6 In addition, since the complete closing of the bond floor, the only officials available to make bond rulings are equity Floor Officials who, in addition to being less familiar with bond trading, may be diverted from their responsibilities to the Exchange's equity market. 5 Prior to moving convertible bonds to ABS, convertible bond quotes were non-firm price indications only, with no size. In ABS, convertible bond quotes are firm, with size, and are “live.” 6 Pursuant to NYSE Rule 86(g), a Floor Governor may, if prevailing market conditions warrant, impose similar requirements on convertible bonds. In sum, since ABS accepts only limited price orders, and since the entering firm must reconfirm the price of the order being entered if that order is at a price that is two points or more away from the last sale price, the bidding up/offering down requirement of the current NYSE Rule 86(g) is unnecessary. The Exchange also is proposing to codify in NYSE Rule 86(g) two features that have been programmed into ABS since its inception:
(1)The acceptance of priced orders only; and
(2)price confirmation, by the entering firm, of orders entered at a price two or more points inferior to the last sale price. 2. Statutory Basis The basis under the Exchange Act for this proposed rule change is the requirement under section 6(b)(5) of the Act 7 that an exchange have rules that are designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade; to remove impediments to, and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system; and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. 7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition The NYSE does not believe that the proposed rule change, as amended, would impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others Written comments were neither solicited nor received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Within 35 days of the date of publication of this notice in the **Federal Register** or within such longer period
(i)as the Commission may designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding, or
(ii)as to which the NYSE consents, the Commission will: A. By order approve such proposed rule change, as amended; or B. Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change, as amended, should be disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change, as amended, is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments • Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( *http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml* ); or • Send an e-mail to *rule-comments@sec.gov* . Please include File Number SR-NYSE-2004-42 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2004-42. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's Internet Web site ( *http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml* ). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Section Room. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make publicly available. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSE-2004-42 and should be submitted on or before May 23, 2005. For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 8 8 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). Margaret H. McFarland Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-2083 Filed 4-29-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-51608; File No. SR-PCX-2005-48] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Pacific Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Revise PCX Rule 6.88 To Eliminate the Prohibition on Computer Generated Orders April 26, 2005. Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) 1 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, 2 notice is hereby given that on April 13, 2005, the Pacific Exchange, Inc. (“PCX” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by PCX. The Exchange has designated the proposed rule change as “non-controversial” under section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 3 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder, 4 which renders the proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b-4. 3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 4 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend PCX Rule 6.88 in order to eliminate the prohibition on orders that are created and communicated electronically without manual input (“Computer Generated Orders”). Below is the text of the proposed rule change. Proposed new language is *italicized* ; proposed deletions are in [brackets]. Rules of the Pacific Exchange, Inc. Rule 6 Rule 6.88(a)—No Change. Rule 6.88(b) *Reserved* . [Except as provided in subsection (b)(1), OTP Holders and OTP Firms may not enter orders via the MFI or permit the entry of orders via the MFI if those orders are created and communicated electronically without manual input (“computer generated orders”). Except as provided in subsection (b)(1), order entry by public customers or associated persons of OTP Holders and OTP Firms must involve manual input such as entering the terms of an order into an order-entry screen or manually selecting a displayed order so that the order will be sent. Nothing in this Rule prohibits OTP Holders or OTP Firms from electronically sending to the Exchange orders manually entered by customers into front-end communications systems ( *e.g.* , Internet gateways, online networks, etc).
(1)Computer generated orders may be sent to the Exchange via the MFI only if they are properly designated in a form and manner as prescribed by the Exchange. Orders so designated will be re-routed for representation by a Floor Broker. Computer generated orders are not eligible for automatic execution via the Auto-Ex System.] (c)—No Change. II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, PCX included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange is proposing to amend PCX Rule 6.88 to eliminate the prohibition on Computer Generated Orders. PCX Rule 6.88 was originally adopted because it was necessary to protect market makers. 5 At the time, allowing electronic entry directly into the Exchange's Pacific Options Exchange Trading System (“POETS”) could give customers with order-generating systems a significant advantage over PCX market makers. With the development of the Exchange's new electronic trading system, PCX Plus, market makers have the ability to manage their exposure more quickly and efficiently, thereby obviating the need for this rule. 6 The Exchange no longer uses POETS. The Exchange believes that the elimination of the prohibition on Computer Generated Orders will enhance access to the Exchange, and therefore, provide more liquidity to PCX. 5 *See* Securities Exchange Act Release No. 43328 (September 22, 2000), 65 FR 58834 (October 2, 2000). 6 The Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. (“Phlx”) eliminated its Electronic Generation rule in 2003. *See* Securities Exchange Act Release No. 48648 (October 16, 2003), 68 FR 60762 (October 23, 2003). The Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (“CBOE”) eliminated its Electronically Generated and Communicated Orders rule in 2005. *See* Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51030 (January 12, 2005), 70 FR 3404 (January 24, 2005). 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act, 7 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act, 8 in particular, in that it is designed to facilitate transactions in securities, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to enhance competition and to protect investors and the public interest. 7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change From Members, Participants or Others Written comments on the proposed rule change were neither solicited nor received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The Exchange asserts that the foregoing proposed rule change has become effective upon filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 9 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder 10 because it does not: 9 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 10 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
(i)Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest;
(ii)Impose any significant burden on competition; and
(iii)Become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest; provided that the Exchange has given the Commission written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at least five business days prior to the filing date of the proposal. 11 11 As required under Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the Commission with notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposal. PCX has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day pre-operative period, which would make the rule change operative immediately, because the proposed rule change is based on rule changes filed by the Phlx and CBOE. The Commission believes that it is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest to waive the 30-day pre-operative period in this case. 12 Allowing the proposed rule change to become operative immediately should enhance access to the Exchange. Moreover, the proposed rule change does not raise any new issues of regulatory concern, as the proposal is based on a rule change previously filed by the Phlx and approved by the Commission pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, 13 as well as a rule change previously filed by CBOE with the Commission pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act. 14 The Commission notes that the International Securities Exchange, Inc. also filed a similar rule change with the Commission pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act. 15 12 For purposes only of accelerating the operative date of this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. *See* 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 13 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 14 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 15 *See* Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51424 (March 13, 2005), 70 FR 16321 (March 30, 2005). At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments • Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( *http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml* ); or • Send an e-mail to *rule-comments@sec.gov* . Please include File Number SR-PCX-2005-48 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-PCX-2005-48. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's Internet Web site ( *http://www.sec.gov /rules/sro.shtml* ). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of PCX. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-PCX-2005-48 and should be submitted on or before May 23, 2005. For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 16 16 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). Margaret H. McFarland, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-2080 Filed 4-29-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-51601; File No. SR-PCX-2005-38] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto by the Pacific Exchange, Inc. Relating to Corporate Governance Standards for Listed Companies April 22, 2005. Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) 1 and Rule 19b-4 thereunder, 2 notice is hereby given that on April 18, 2005, the Pacific Exchange, Inc. (“PCX” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and II below, which Items have been prepared by PCX. PCX submitted Amendment No. 1 to the proposal on April 21, 2005. 3 The Exchange filed this proposal pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act, 4 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder, 5 which renders the proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b-4. 3 Amendment No. 1 made a minor clarifying change to the proposal. 4 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 5 5 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change PCX, through its wholly-owned subsidiary PCX Equities, Inc. (“PCXE”), is proposing to amend PCXE Rules 5.3(k) and 5.3(m) to adopt new corporate governance standards for PCX listed companies. The text of the proposed rule change, as amended, is set forth below. Proposed new language is in *italics* ; proposed deletions are in brackets. Rules of the PCX Equities, Inc. Rule 5 Listings—Corporate Governance and Disclosure Policies Rule 5.3-5.3(j)—No Change. Rule 5.3(k). Independent Directors/Board Committees The Corporation shall require that each *listed* domestic issuer have a majority of independent directors on its board of directors, except that a listed domestic issuer of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, a group or another company, a limited partnership and any company in bankruptcy need not have a majority of independent directors on its board or have nominating/corporate governance and compensation committees composed of independent directors as set forth in Rule 5.3(k). However, all such controlled companies, limited partnerships and any company in bankruptcy must have at least a minimum three person audit committee and otherwise comply with the audit committee requirements provided for in this Rule 5.3(k)(5).
(1)Independent Directors. For purposes of this Rule 5.3(k), no director qualifies as independent unless the board of directors affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with the listed company, either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the company. Companies must *identify which directors are independent and* disclose *the basis for that* [these] determination[s]. *The identity of the independent directors and t* [T]he basis for a board determination that a relationship is not material must be disclosed in the company's annual proxy statement (or, if the issuer does not file a proxy, in its Form 10-K, 20-F or N-CSR). A board may adopt and disclose categorical standards to assist it in making determinations of independence and may make a general disclosure if a director meets these standards. Any determination of independence for a director who does not meet these standards must be specifically explained. A company must disclose any standard it adopts. In the event that a director with a business or other relationship that does not fit within the disclosed standards is determined to be independent, a board must disclose the basis for its determination. In addition, the following directors do not qualify as independent directors:
(A)A director who is *or has been within the last three years* , an employee *of the listed company* [or former employee], or whose immediate family member is *or has been within the last three years* an executive officer of the listed company [whose employment ended within the past three years]. *Employment as an interim Chairman or CEO or other executive officer shall not disqualify a director from being considered independent following that employment. For purposes of this rule the term executive officer shall have the same meaning as “officer” as set forth in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.*
(B)*(i)* A director *or a director who has an immediate family member* who is *a current partner of a firm that is the company's internal or external auditor;* [,] *(ii) A director who is a current employee of such a firm;* *(iii) A director who has an immediate family member who is a current employee of such a firm and who participates in the firm's audit, assurance or tax compliance (but not tax planning) practice; or* *(iv) A director or a director who has an immediate family member who was within the last three years (but is no longer) a partner or employee of such a firm and personally worked on the listed company's audit within that time* [or in the past three years has been, affiliated with or employed by a (present or former) auditor of the company (or of an affiliate). Such director cannot be independent until three years after the end of either the affiliation or the auditing relationship].
(C)A director or *a director who has an immediate family member* who is, or in the past three years has been, part of an interlocking directorate in which an executive officer of the listed company serves *or served* on the compensation committee of another company that concurrently employs *or employed* the director.
(D)*Reserved.* [A director with an immediate family member in any the foregoing categories. Immediate family includes a person's spouse, parents, children, siblings, mothers-in-law and fathers-in-law, sons and daughters-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-law, and anyone (other than employees) who shares such person's home.]
(E)A director who is an executive officer or an employee, or whose immediate family member is an executive officer, of a company that makes payments to, or receives payments from, the listed company for property or services in an amount which, in any single fiscal year, exceeds the greater of $200,000 or 5% of such other company's consolidated gross revenues, is not “independent” until three years after falling below such threshold. For purposes of this rule, [charitable] *contributions to tax exempt* organizations shall not be considered “[companies] *payments* ”, provided however that a listed company shall disclose in its annual proxy statement, or if the listed company does not file an annual proxy statement, in the company's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, any [charitable] *such* contributions made by the listed company to any [charitable] *tax exempt* organization in which *any independent* director serves as an executive officer if, within the preceding three years, contributions in any single fiscal year *from the listed company to the organization* exceeded the greater of $200,000 or 5% of such [charitable] *tax exempt* organization's consolidated gross revenues. At any time, however, when an issuer has a class of securities that is listed on *and meets the requirements of a similar rule of* [a national securities exchange or national securities association other than the Corporation and is subject to requirements substantially similar to those set forth in this section 5.3(k)(1)(E)] *the New York Stock Exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers (for the Nasdaq National Market or Small Cap Market)* , the issuer shall not be required to separately meet the requirements set forth *in this section 5.3(k)(1)(E).* [above. Governance requirements of other markets will be considered to be substantially similar to the requirements above if they are adopted by the New York Stock Exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers (for the Nasdaq National Market or Small Cap Market).]
(F)A director who receive[s] *d* , or whose immediate family member is an executive [employee] *officer* who receive[s] *d* , *during any twelve-month period within the last three years* , more than $100,000 [per year] in direct compensation from the listed company, other than director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service). [Such director shall not be independent until three years after he or she ceases to receive more than $100,000 per year in such compensation.] *Compensation received by a director for former service as an interim Chairman or CEO or other executive officer need not be considered in determining independence under this test. For purposes of this rule the term executive officer shall have the same meaning as “officer” as set forth in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.*
(G)In the case of an investment company, in lieu of paragraphs (A)-(F), a director who is an “interested person” of the company as defined in section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the board of directors or any board committee. *(H) As used throughout this rule, the term “immediate family member” includes a person's spouse, parents, children, siblings, mothers-in-law and fathers-in-law, sons and daughters-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-law, and anyone (other than employees) who shares such person's home.* Transition Rule: Each of the above standards contains a three-year “look back” provision. In order to facilitate a smooth transition to the new independence standards, the Corporation will phase in the “look back” provision by applying only a one-year look back for the first year after adoption of these new standards. The three year look back will begin to apply only from and after June 4, 2005. *Due to this proposed tightening of the independence test and to avoid a sudden change to the status of a current director, companies will have until their first annual meeting after June 30, 2005 to replace a director who was independent under the prior test but who is not independent under the current test.*
(2)Regularly Scheduled Non-Management Directors Executive Sessions. The non-management directors of each *listed* company must meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. Non-management directors are all those who are not [company] *executive* officers, and includes such directors who are not independent by virtue of a material relationship, former status or family membership, or for any other reason. [There need not be a single presiding director] *A non-management director must preside over each executive session of the non-management directors, although the same director is not required to preside* at all executive sessions of the non-management directors. If one director is chosen to preside at *all of* these meetings, his or her name must be disclosed in the *listed company's* annual proxy statement *, or if the company does not file an annual proxy statement, in the company's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.* Alternatively, *if the same individual is not the presiding director at every meeting* , a *listed* company [may] *must* disclose the procedure by which a presiding director is selected for each executive session. In order that interested parties may be able to make their concerns known to the non-management directors, a *listed* company must disclose a method for such parties to communicate directly with the presiding director or with the non-management directors as a group. *Such disclosure must be made in the listed company's annual proxy statement or, if the company does not file an annual proxy statement, in the company's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.* If the non-management directors include directors who are not independent, then the company should at least once a year schedule an executive session including only independent directors.
(3)Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. Listed companies must have a Nominating Committee/Corporate Governance Committee composed entirely of independent directors, except that if such committee is made up of three or more individuals, then one member of the committee need not be an independent director. The director who is not independent may not be a current officer or employee or immediate family member of an officer or employee. Such individual may be appointed to the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee if the board, under exceptional and limited circumstances, determines that such individual's membership on the committee is required by the best interests of the company and its shareholders, and the board discloses, in the proxy statement for the next annual meeting subsequent to such determination (or, if the issuer does not file a proxy, in its Form 10-K or 20-F), the nature of the relationship and the reasons for the determination. The member appointed under this exception may not serve for longer than two years. The committee must have a written charter that addresses:
(A)The committee's purpose, which at a minimum, must be to: Identify individuals qualified to become board members, and to select, or to recommend that the board select, the director nominees for the next annual meeting of shareholders; and develop and recommend to the board a set of corporate governance [principles] *guidelines* applicable to the company.
(B)The committee's goals and responsibilities, which must reflect, at a minimum, the board's criteria for selecting new directors, and oversight of the evaluation of the board and management.
(C)An annual performance evaluation of the committee.
(D)Committee member qualifications, committee member appointment and removal, committee structure and operations (including authority to delegate to subcommittees), and committee reporting to the board.
(E)The committee's authority to retain and terminate any search firm to be used to identify director candidates, including the sole authority to approve the search firm's fees and other retention terms. If a company is required by contract or otherwise to provide third parties with the ability to nominate directors (for example, preferred stock rights to elect directors upon a dividend default, shareholder agreements, and management agreements), the selection and nomination of such directors need not be subject to the nominating committee process. Boards may allocate the responsibilities of the nominating/corporate governance committee and the compensation committee to committees of their own denomination, provided that the committees are composed entirely of independent directors, except that if such committee is made up of three or more individuals, then one member of the committee need not be an independent director. Any such committee must have a published committee charter. Controlled companies, limited partnerships and any company in bankruptcy need not comply with the requirements of this provision.
(4)Compensation Committee. Listed companies must have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors, except that if such committee is made up of three or more individuals, then one member of the committee need not be an independent director. The director who is not independent may not be a current officer or employee or immediate family member of an officer or employee. Such individual may be appointed to the Compensation Committee if the board, under exceptional and limited circumstances, determines that such individual's membership on the committee is required by the best interests of the company and its shareholders, and the board discloses, in the proxy statement for the next annual meeting subsequent to such determination (or, if the issuer does not file a proxy, in its Form 10-K or 20-F), the nature of the relationship and the reasons for the determination. The member appointed under this exception may not serve for longer than two years. The committee must have a written charter that addresses:
(A)The committee's purpose which, at a minimum, must be to discharge the board's responsibilities relating to compensation of the company's executives, and to produce an annual report on executive *officer* compensation for inclusion in the *listed* company's proxy statement (or, if the issuer does not file a proxy, in its Form 10-K or 20-F), in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
(B)The committee's duties and responsibilities, which at a minimum, must be to:
(i)Review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to CEO compensation, evaluate the CEO's performance in light of those goals and objectives, and, *either as a committee or together with the other independent directors (as directed by the board), determine and approve* [set] the CEO's compensation level based on this evaluation.
(ii)Make recommendations to the board with respect to *non-CEO executive officer compensation, and* incentive-compensation [plans] and equity-based plans *that are subject to board approval* .
(C)An annual performance evaluation of the compensation committee.
(D)Committee member qualifications, committee member appointment and removal, committee structure and operations (including authority to delegate to subcommittees), and committee reporting to the board.
(E)The committee's authority to retain and terminate a consultant to assist in the evaluation of a director, CEO or senior executive compensation. The committee shall have the sole authority to approve the consultant's fees and other retention terms. Controlled companies, limited partnerships and any company in bankruptcy need not comply with the requirements of this provision.
(5)Audit Committee.
(A)General Provisions.
(i)Each listed company must have an audit committee as defined by section 3(a)(58) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. The audit committee must be composed entirely of independent directors. The audit committee must comply with all the rules and procedures set forth in Rule10A-3 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. If a member of the audit committee ceases to be independent for reasons outside the member's reasonable control, that person, with notice by the issuer to the Corporation, may remain an audit committee member of the listed issuer until the earlier of the next annual meeting or special meeting of the listed issuer or one year from the occurrence of the event that caused the member to be no longer independent. Should an individual who ceases to be independent for reasons outside the member's reasonable control remain a member of the audit committee after the time permitted by this Rule 5.3(k)(5)(A)(i), then the Corporation shall remove the issuer's securities from listing pursuant to the procedures set forth in Rule 5.5(m).
(ii)Listed issuers, other than foreign private issuers and small business issuers (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934), must be in compliance with this Rule 5.3(k)(5)(A) by the earlier of their first annual shareholders meeting after January 15, 2004, or October 31, 2004. Foreign private issuers and small business issuers must be in compliance with this Rule 5.3(k)(5) by July 31, 2005.
(iii)If an executive officer of a listed issuer becomes aware of any material noncompliance by the listed issuer with the requirements of this Rule 5.3(k)(5), the listed issuer must promptly notify the Corporation of such noncompliance.
(iv)To be eligible for continued listing, a listed issuer must comply with all of the requirements set forth in this Rule 5.3(k)(5). Except as provided for in Rule 5.3(k)(5)(A)(i), should a listed issuer fail to comply with any of the requirements set forth in this Rule 5.3(k)(5) for a period of six
(6)consecutive months, then the Corporation shall remove the issuer's securities from listing pursuant to the procedures set forth in Rule 5.5(m). A listed issuer who is not in compliance with the requirements of Rule 5.3(k)(5) must provide the Corporation with a plan of remediation within 15 days after notifying the Corporation of such noncompliance. The listed issuer must provide the Corporation with written monthly updates on the progress of the plan of remediation.
(v)Audit committees for investment companies must also establish procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission of concerns regarding questionable accounting or audit matters by employees of the investment advisor, administrator, principal underwriter, or any other provider of accounting related services for the investment company, as well as employees of the investment company. This responsibility must be addressed in the audit committee charter.
(B)Written Charter. The audit committee must have a written charter that addresses:
(i)The committee's purpose which, at a minimum, must be to:
(a)Assist board oversight of
(1)the integrity of the *listed* company's financial statements,
(2)the *listed* company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements,
(3)the independent auditor's qualifications and independence, and
(4)the performance of the *listed* company's internal audit function and independent auditors.
(b)Prepare the report that SEC rules require be included in the *listed* company's annual proxy statement (or, if the issuer does not file a proxy, in its Form 10-K, 20-F or N-CSR).
(ii)The duties and responsibilities of the audit committee, which, at a minimum, must be to:
(a)Be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of the work of any registered public accounting firm engaged (including resolution of disagreements between management and the auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the listed issuer, and each such registered public accounting firm must report directly to the audit committee.
(b)At least annually, obtain and review a report by the independent auditor describing the firm's internal quality control procedures; any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues; and (to assess the auditor's independence) all relationships between the independent auditor and the *listed* company.
(c)*Meet to review and d* [D]iscuss the *listed company's* annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements with management and the independent auditor, including *reviewing* the company's *specific* disclosure under “Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
(d)Discuss earnings press releases, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies.
(e)Engage independent counsel and other advisers, as it determines necessary to carry out its duties.
(f)Discuss policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management.
(g)Meet separately, periodically, with management, with internal auditors (or other personnel responsible for the internal audit function) and with independent auditors.
(h)Review with the independent auditor any audit problems or difficulties and management's response.
(i)Set clear policies for hiring employees or former employees of the independent auditors.
(j)Report regularly to the board of directors.
(k)Review major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentations; including any significant changes in the company's selection or application of accounting principles, and major issues as to the adequacy of the company's internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies.
(l)Review analyses prepared by management and/or the independent auditor setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including analyses of the effects of alternative GAAP methods on the financial statements.
(m)Review the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet structures, on the financial statements of the company.
(n)Review earnings press releases (paying particular attention to any use of “pro forma,” or “adjusted” non-GAAP, information), as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies.
(o)Establish procedures for:
(1)the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by the issuer regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and
(2)the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the issuer of concerns regarding questionable accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters.
(iii)An annual performance evaluation of the audit committee.
(C)Composition/Expertise Requirement of Audit Committee Members.
(i)Each audit committee will consist of at least three independent directors, as defined in Rule 5.3(k)(1).
(ii)Each member of the audit committee must be financially literate, as such qualification is interpreted by the company's board of directors in its business judgment, or must become financially literate within a reasonable period of time after his or her appointment to the audit committee.
(iii)At least one member of the audit committee must have accounting or related financial management expertise, as the board of directors interprets such qualification in its business judgment.
(D)Written Affirmation. As part of the initial listing process, and with respect to any subsequent changes to the composition of the audit committee, and otherwise [approximately] once each year, each company shall provide the Exchange written confirmation regarding:
(i)Any determination that the company's board of directors has made regarding the independence of directors.
(ii)The financial literacy of the audit committee member.
(iii)The determination that at least one of the audit committee members has accounting or related financial management expertise.
(iv)The annual review and reassessment of the adequacy of the audit committee charter. *Beginning June 30, 2005 the company must submit the written affirmation no later than 30 calendar days after the company's annual meeting. If the company's annual meeting. If the company's 2005 annual meeting occurs prior to June 30, 2005, the company must submit a written affirmation for the year 2005 no later than December 31, 2005.* 5.3(k)(5)(E)-5.3(l)—No Change. 5.3(m) CEO Certification. Each listed company CEO must certify to the Corporation each year that he or she is not aware of any violation by the company of the Corporation's corporate governance listing standards, *qualifying the certification to the extent necessary.* The certification filed with the Corporation, *including any qualifications to that certification,* as well as the CEO/CFO certifications required to be filed with the SEC regarding the quality of the company's public disclosure, must be disclosed in the listed company's annual report to shareholders. *Beginning June 30, 2005 the company must submit the certification to the Corporation no later than 30 calendar days after the company's annual meeting. If the company's 2005 annual meeting occurs prior to June 30, 2005, the company must submit the certification for the year 2005 no later than December 31, 2005.* Each listed company's CEO must promptly notify the Corporation after any executive officer of the listed company becomes aware of any material non-compliance with any applicable provision of section 5.3. *Each listed company must submit an executed written affirmation annually to the Corporation. Beginning June 30, 2005 the company must submit the written affirmation no later than 30 calendar days after the company's annual meeting. If the company's 2005 annual meeting occurs prior to June 30, 2005, the company must submit a written affirmation for the year 2005 no later than December 31, 2005. In addition, each listed company must submit an interim Written Affirmation each time a change in the membership occurs of the board or any of the committees subject to Rule 5.3(k).* Rule 5.3(n)-(o)—No Change. II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, PCX included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. PCX has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose PCXE Rules 5.3(k)-5.3(o) set forth the Exchange's corporate governance requirements applicable to listed companies. Exchange staff has received numerous phone call and email requests for clarification and interpretations of these standards. Based on PCX experience in working with listed companies and their legal counsel on issues and questions related to Rules 5.3(k)-5.3(o), the Exchange has noted several Rules that need clarification. The following outlines the amendments proposed to be made to the PCXE Corporate Governance Requirements. *Independence Definition:* The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 5.3(k)(1) to clarify that companies are required to identify which of their directors are deemed independent. The Exchange has been of the opinion that the existing language strongly implied that obligation, but believes it is appropriate to make the language explicit to remove any ambiguity. The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 5.3(k)(1)(A) to add a definition of the term executive officer. The Exchange also proposes to make minor cleanup changes throughout Rule 5.3(k) to provide consistency when utilizing this term. The Exchange also proposes to add clarifying language to indicate that service as an interim Chairman, CEO or other executive officer will not trigger the look-back provision. The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 5.3(k)(1)(B), which currently precludes independence where a director or family member of such director is employed by or affiliated with a present or former auditor. The proposed rule revises the standard so that it will cover any director or immediate family member of such director who is a current partner of the audit firm, any director who is a current employee of the audit firm, any immediate family member who is a current employee of the audit firm participating in the firm's audit, assurance or tax compliance (but not tax planning) practice, and any former partner or employee of the audit firm or an immediate family member who personally worked on the listed company's audit during the past three years. 6 6 Clarified pursuant to a telephone conversation between Steven Matlin, Senior Counsel, PCX, and A. Michael Pierson, Attorney, Division of Market Regulation, Commission (April 21, 2005). The Exchange proposes to revise Rule 5.3(k)(1)(C) to clarify that independence is not satisfied when a director or a director who has an immediate family member who is, or in the past three years has been, part of an interlocking directorate in which an executive officer of the listed company serves or served on the compensation committee of another company that concurrently employs or employed the director. The Exchange proposes to eliminate Rule 5.3(k)(1)(D) and move the definition of immediate family member to Rule 5.3(k)(1)(H). PCX believes this would help clarify that the definition of immediate family member applies uniformly throughout the rules on corporate governance. The Exchange proposes to revise Rule 5.3(k)(1)(E) to clarify the treatment of contributions under this test. The language as originally adopted referred to “charitable organizations.” PCX believes that it has become clear through discussions with listed company representatives that a company can have business relationships with a charitable organization and there is no reason why payments related to such business relationships should not be covered by this test. What the Exchange intends to distinguish and to cover with disclosure under this test, are “contributions” made to a charitable or tax exempt organization. In addition, the Exchange is tightening its exemption for compliance from this rule if the issuer has a class of securities listed on another national securities exchange that has a similar standard. The Exchange proposes only to exempt issuers who have a class of securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq from having to separately meet the requirements of Rule 5.3(k)(1)(E). The Exchange proposes to amend PCXE Rule 5.3(k)(1)(F) which precludes independence where a director or family member receives more than $100,000 in direct compensation. PCX believes the wording suggested that under certain circumstances the look-back period might be as long as four years. The revised formulation will make clear that the period should not be read to be longer than 36 months. As a result of the proposed changes to Rule 5.3(k)(1), there is a category of person that would not have been impacted by existing Rule 5.3(k)(1) that will be precluded from independence under the revised standards, namely a director with a family member who is a current partner of the audit firm. Under the existing standards, such a family member did not impact the director's independence if the family member did not act in a “professional capacity” at the audit firm. Under the revised standards, any family member who is a current partner of the audit firm will preclude the director from being considered independent. To avoid suddenly changing the status of a current director, the Exchange will give companies until their first annual meeting after June 30, 2005 to replace a director who was independent under our existing rule but not under the revised rule. *Regularly Schedule Non-Management Directors Executive Sessions:* The Exchange is proposing a clarifying change to Rule 5.3(k)(2) to require a non-management director to preside over each executive session of the non-management directors, but to allow for different directors to preside over all such meetings. The Exchange also proposes to add clarifying language to specify that the disclosure must be in the annual proxy statement (or if the company does not file a proxy statement, then in the Form 10-K), in order to be consistent with the other disclosure requirements of the PCXE Rules. *Requirements of the Compensation Committees:* The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 5.3(k)(4)(B) to make clear that the board has the ability to delegate its authority to approve non-CEO executive officer compensation to the compensation committee. In addition, the Exchange is proposing clarifying language to indicate that non-CEO compensation on which the compensation committee should focus is that of the executive officers. *Duties of the Audit Committee:* The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 5.3(k)(5)(B)(ii)(C) to clarify that the audit committee must meet to review and discuss the company's financial statements and must review the company's specific Management's Discussion and Analysis disclosures. In addition the Exchange is proposing that the written affirmation required by Rule 5.3(k)(5)(D) be submitted to the Exchange within 30 calendar days after the company's annual meeting. 7 7 An exception is provided if the company's annual meeting occurs prior to June 30, 2005, similar to the exception provided for CEO certifications, as described below. *CEO Certification:* The Exchange proposes to amend the language of Rule 5.3(m) to clarify that any qualifications to the annual CEO certification must be specified and disclosed. Beginning June 30, 2005 the company must submit the certification to the Corporation no later than 30 calendar days after the company's annual meeting. If the company's 2005 annual meeting occurs prior to June 30, 2005, the company must submit the certification for the year 2005 no later than December 31, 2005. 8 In addition the Exchange is proposing a requirement that companies submit annual and interim written affirmations. The annual affirmation must be submitted to the Exchange no later than 30 calendar days after the company's annual meeting. An interim written affirmation must be submitted each time a change in the membership occurs to the board or any of the committees subject to Rule 5.3(k). 8 *See supra* note 6. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change, as amended, is consistent with section 6(b) of the Act, 9 in general, and furthers the objectives of section 6(b)(5) of the Act, 10 in particular, in that it is designed to facilitate transactions in securities, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster competition and to protect investors and the public interest. 9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 10 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change, as amended, will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others Written comments on the proposed rule change were neither solicited nor received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The proposed rule change, as amended, has been designated by PCX as a “non-controversial” rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 11 and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder. 12 11 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 12 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). The foregoing proposed rule change, as amended:
(1)Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest;
(2)does not impose any significant burden on competition; and
(3)by its terms does not become operative for 30 days after the date of this filing, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. Furthermore, the PCX gave the Commission written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change. Consequently, the proposed rule change, as amended, has become effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 13 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder. 14 13 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 14 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, as amended, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. 15 15 *See* 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(C). For purposes of calculation the 60-day abrogation period, the Commission considers the period to commence on April 22, 2005, the date the PCX filed Amendment No. 1. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change, as amended, is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic Comments • Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( *http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml* ); or • Send an e-mail to *rule-comments@sec.gov.* Please include File Number SR-PCX-2005-38 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-PCX-2005-38. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's Internet Web site ( *http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml* ). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-PCX-2005-38 and should be submitted on or before May 23, 2005. 16 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 16 Margaret H. McFarland, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-2082 Filed 4-29-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under OMB Review AGENCY: Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice of reporting requirements submitted for OBM review. SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), agencies are required to submit proposed reporting and recordkeeping requirements to OMB for review and approval, and to publish a notice in the **Federal Register** notifying the public that the agency has made such a submission. DATES: Submit comments on or before June 1, 2005. If you intend to comment but cannot prepare comments promptly, please advise the OMB Reviewer and the Agency Clearance Officer before the deadline. *Copies:* Request for clearance (OMB 83-1), supporting statement, and other documents submitted to OMB for review may be obtained from the Agency Clearance Officer. ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to: Agency Clearance Officer, Jacqueline White, Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street, SW., 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20416; and *David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov* , fax number 202-395-7285 Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jacqueline White, Agency Clearance Officer, *jacqueline.white@sba.gov*
(202)205-7044. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* Application for Business Loans. *Form No's:* 4, 4SCH-A, 4I, 4L. *Frequency:* On occasion. *Description of Respondents:* Applicants for an SBA loan. *Responses:* 51,000. *Annual Burden:* 520,000. Jacqueline K. White, Chief, Administrative Information Branch. [FR Doc. 05-8672 Filed 4-29-05; 8:45 am]
Connectionstraces to 9
★   the supreme law of the land   ★
Don't Tread on Me
E Pluribus Unum — out of many, one

"If you don't know your rights, you don't have any."

Marginalia · a citizen's law index
A research desk, not legal advice. Always read the cited source before relying on a summary.
Questions or an issue? support@self-law.org
disclaimerMarginalia is a research index, not a law firm. Nothing on this site is legal, tax, or financial advice and no attorney–client relationship is formed by using it. Statutes, regulations, and case law change; summaries, search results, AI output, and member posts may be incomplete, out of date, or wrong. Any interpretation drawn from material on this site should be validated by a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before you act on it.