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Code · REGISTER · 2005-10-03 · SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION · Notices

Notices. Notice of request for public comments

9,541 words·~43 min read·/register/2005/10/03/05-19748·

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

BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-52504; File No. SR-Amex-2005-086] Self-Regulatory Organizations; American Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change and Amendment No. 1 Revising the Implementation Date for the ANTE System September 23, 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 September 1, 2005, the American Stock Exchange LLC (“Amex” 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 Amex.
On September 20, 2005, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change. 3 Amex filed the proposal, as amended, as a “non-controversial” proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 4 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder. 5 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 Amendment No. 1 clarified that the proposed rule change was being submitted under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder. 4 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). 5 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change Amex proposes to amend
(1)Amex Rule 900-ANTE to provide a revised date for the completion of the implementation of the ANTE System (as defined herein) to all option classes; and
(2)Amex Rule 935-ANTE, Commentary .01 to establish a revised date for increased floor broker functionality in the ANTE System. The text of the proposed rule change is available on Amex's Web site ( *http://www.amex.com* ), at Amex's Office of the Secretary, 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, Amex included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change, as amended, and discussed any comments it received on the proposal. 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 Revised Implementation Date—Amex Rule 900-ANTE On May 20, 2004, the Commission approved Amex's proposal to implement a new options trading platform known as the Amex New Trading Environment (“ANTE”) System. 6 On May 25, 2004, Amex began rolling out the ANTE System on its trading floor on a specialist's post-by-specialist's post basis. At that time, it was anticipated the roll-out would be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2005. The implementation date for the full roll-out of the ANTE System was subsequently extended to August 31, 2005. 7 Amex has now rolled out the ANTE System to all its option classes except two—the Nasdaq 100 Index (“NDX”) and the Mini Nasdaq Index (“MNX”). Amex represents that there are specific reasons why these products have not been rolled out on the ANTE System. The specialist in these products is concerned that the theoretical price calculator provided by the ANTE System may not accurately price the options on these indexes. The specialist is currently waiting for his own theoretical index price calculator, which has been installed, to successfully calculate prices for these indexes and the options. Amex expects that the MNX/NDX specialist will have its proprietary calculator in place by October 31, 2005. 6 *See* Securities Exchange Act Release No. 49747 (May 20, 2004) 69 FR 30344 (May 27, 2004) (“Initial Approval of ANTE System”). 7 *See* Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51965 (July 1, 2005) 70 FR 40082 (July 12, 2005). Amex is now proposing to further revise its implementation schedule to provide that the remaining two option classes will be on the ANTE System by October 31, 2005. Maintaining two systems for the trading of options—the legacy system (XTOPS, AODB and Auto-Ex) and ANTE—is costly. As a result, the Exchange is working diligently to have all option classes on the ANTE System by October 31, 2005, so that it can retire its legacy systems. Increased Floor Broker Functionality—Rule 935-ANTE Amex Rule 935-ANTE(b) provides for the post trade allocation of contracts executed as the result of the submission of orders to trade with orders in the ANTE Central Book. Under this rule, if more than one ANTE Participant 8 and/or floor broker representing a customer order submits an order to trade with an order in the ANTE Central book within a period not to exceed five seconds after the initial ANTE Participant has submitted its order, all those ANTE Participants and/or floor brokers' customers will be entitled to participate in the allocation of any executed contracts. Amex represents that the ANTE System is currently unable to provide the functionality necessary for floor brokers representing customer orders in the trading crowd the ability to directly participate in the post trade allocation of orders taken off the Central Book. Commentary .01 to Amex Rule 935-ANTE provides a temporary methodology for the specialist to disengage the post trade allocation system in a specific series, which allows the floor broker to alert the specialist within the five second timeframe whenever his customer wants to participate in post trade allocation, and allows the specialist to provide for the customer's participation in post trade allocation when appropriate. The Commission approved the procedures set forth in Commentary .01 as a “reasonable, temporary solution.” 9 Commentary .01 to Amex Rule 935-ANTE also originally provided that the ANTE System will give floor brokers greater functionality accessing the Central Book on March 31, 2005 or such other date as established by the Exchange and submitted to the Commission pursuant to Section 19(b) of the Act. The Exchange subsequently established August 31, 2005, as the date the increased functionality will be available in the ANTE System. Due to a delay in the roll out of the increased floor broker functionality, the Exchange now proposes to establish October 31, 2005 as the date set forth in Commentary .01 to Amex Rule 935-ANTE for such increased functionality. 8 Amex Rule 900-ANTE(b)(45) defines “ANTE Participant” as either the specialist and/or registered options trader(s) assigned to trade a specific options class on the ANTE System. 9 *See* Initial Approval of ANTE System. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act 10 in general and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act, 11 in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices and 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; and is designed to prohibit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers and dealers. 10 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 11 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 No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The Exchange has designated the proposed rule change, as amended, as a “non-controversial” rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 12 and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder. 13 Amex represents that the foregoing rule change does not:
(i)Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest;
(ii)impose any significant burden on competition; and
(iii)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. The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the five-day pre-filing requirement and the 30-day operative delay period for “non-controversial” proposals and make the proposed rule change, as amended, effective and operative upon filing. 12 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). 13 7 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). The Commission has determined to waive the five-day pre-filing requirement and the 30-day operative delay period. 14 The Commission notes that Amex has represented that the theoretical price calculators for the final two options classes are not installed and/or functioning properly and that it has not yet implemented the functionality for floor brokers representing customer orders. The Commission believes that extending the deadline for implementing Amex Rules 900- and 935-ANTE by two months should afford Amex the time needed to install and/or fix the theoretical price calculators and to implement the floor broker customer order functionality. Furthermore, the Commission believes that it is in the interest of investors and the public to delay implementation of the ANTE system until all of the components are in place and functioning properly. Therefore, the foregoing rule change has become immediately effective and operative upon filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 15 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder. 16 14 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. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 15 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). 16 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). 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. 17 17 For purposes of calculating the 60-day period within which the Commission may summarily abrogate the proposed rule change, as amended, under Section 19(b)(3)(C) of the Act, the Commission considers the period to commence on September 20, 2005, the date on which Amex submitted Amendment No. 1. *See* 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(C). 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-Amex-2005-086 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-9303. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Amex-2005-086. 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 Website ( *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 Amex's Office of the Secretary. 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-Amex-2005-086 and should be submitted on or before October 24, 2005. For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 18 18 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-5345 Filed 9-30-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-52510; File No. SR-Amex-2005-094] Self-Regulatory Organizations; American Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt Options Licensing Fees for Certain PowerShares ETF Options September 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 September 19, 2005, the American Stock Exchange, Inc. (“Amex” 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 Amex. Amex submitted the proposed rule change under Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 3 and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) 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)(2). I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to modify its Options Fee Schedule by adopting a per-contract side licensing fee for the orders of specialists, registered options traders (“ROTs”), firms, non-member market makers, and broker-dealers in connection with transactions in certain PowerShares exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). The text of the proposed rule change is available on Amex's Web site *http://www.amex.com* , at Amex'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, Amex 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. Amex 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 has entered into numerous license agreements with issuers and owners of indexes for the purpose of trading options on certain ETFs and securities indexes. The requirement to pay an index licensing fee to third parties is a condition to the listing and trading of these ETF and index options. In many cases, the Exchange is required to pay a significant licensing fee to issuers or index owners that may not be reimbursed. In an effort to recoup the costs associated with certain index licenses, the Exchange has established a per-contract side licensing fee for the orders of specialists, ROTs, firms, non-member market makers, and broker-dealers collected on every transaction in certain designated products in which such market participant is a party. 5 5 *See* File No. SR-Amex-2005-087 (became immediately effective on August 31, 2005). The purpose of the proposal is to charge per-contract side licensing fees in connection with options on the following three
(3)ETFs (“PowerShares ETFs”):
(1)PowerShares Dividend Achievers Portfolio (symbol: PFM);
(2)PowerShares High Growth Rate Dividend Achievers Portfolio (symbol: PHJ); and
(3)PowerShares International Dividend Achievers Portfolio (symbol: PID) Specifically, Amex seeks to charge options licensing fees of $0.05, $0.10, and $0.10 per contract side, in connection with options on PFM, PHJ, and PID, respectively, for specialist, ROT, firm, non-member market maker, and broker-dealer orders executed on the Exchange. In all cases, the fees set forth in the Options Fee Schedule are charged only to Exchange members through whom the orders are placed. The proposed options licensing fees will allow the Exchange to recoup its costs in connection with index licensing fees for the trading of PowerShares ETF options. The fees will be collected on every PowerShares ETF option order of a specialist, ROT, firm, non-member market maker, and broker-dealer executed on the Exchange. The Exchange believes that collection of per-contract side licensing fees in connection with PFM, PHJ, and PID options orders placed by those market participants that are the beneficiaries of the Exchange's index license agreements is justified and consistent with the rules of the Exchange. The Exchange notes that Amex in recent years has revised a number of fees to better align Exchange fees with the actual cost of delivering services and to reduce Exchange subsidies of such services. 6 Implementation of this proposal is consistent with the reduction and/or elimination of these subsidies. Amex believes that these fees will help to allocate to those market participants offering PowerShares ETF options a fair share of the related costs of offering such options. 6 *See* Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 45360 (January 29, 2002), 67 FR 5626 (February 6, 2002) and 44286 (May 9, 2001), 66 FR 27187 (May 16, 2001). In connection with the adoption of an options licensing fee for PowerShares ETF options, the Exchange notes that the proposal will better align its licensing fees with its competitors. The Exchange also maintains that charging an options licensing fee, where applicable, for all market participant orders executed on the Exchange except for customer orders is reasonable given the competitive pressures in the industry. Accordingly, the Exchange seeks, through this proposal, to better align its charges with the cost of providing these products and maintaining the trading floor and systems. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act, 7 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) of the Act, 8 in particular, regarding the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among exchange members and other persons using exchange facilities. 7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4). 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 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 The Exchange has neither solicited nor received comments on the proposed rule change. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act 9 and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder, 10 because it establishes or changes a due, fee, or other charge imposed by Amex. 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. 9 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(a)(ii). 10 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2). 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-Amex-2005-094 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, Station Place, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-9303. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Amex-2005-094. 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 the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal offices of Amex. 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-Amex-2005-094 and should be submitted on or before October 24, 2005. For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 11 11 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-5347 Filed 9-30-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-52509; File No. SR-DTC-2005-13] Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Depository Trust Company; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Eliminate the Transfer Agent Drop Service September 26, 2005. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”), 1 notice is hereby given that on August 25, 2005, The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change described in Items I, II, and III below, which items have been prepared primarily by DTC. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested parties. 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The purpose of the proposed rule change is to eliminate DTC's transfer agent drop service (“Drop Service”). II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, DTC 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. DTC has prepared summaries, set forth in sections (A), (B), and
(C)below, of the most significant aspects of these statements. 2 2 The Commission has modified the text of the summaries prepared by the DTC.
(A)Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change Since 1996, DTC has offered the Drop Service in order to provide transfer agents located outside of New York City, New York, with a central location within Manhattan for receipt of securities from banks, broker-dealers, depositories, and shareholders. This service enabled transfer agents to comply with the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Rule 496, which required, among other things, that transfer agents for NYSE listed companies maintain an office or obtain an agent located south of Chambers Street in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, where securities could be delivered in person for registration of transfer and could be picked up after completion of such registration (often referred to in the industry as a “drop”). The drop requirement was implemented when most securities were held in certificated form and were settled with physical delivery. The transfer agents' presence in lower Manhattan, where the brokers were also concentrated, facilitated the speedy processing and settlement of securities transactions. Today most securities are held in “street name” at DTC with transfers of such securities occurring through automated book-entry systems at DTC without the need for the transfer of physical certificates, and very few transfers and facilitated by the drop in Manhattan. As a result, the NYSE amended its Rule 196 to eliminate the drop requirement. 3 3 Exchange Act Release No. 51973 (July 5, 2005), 70 FR 40094 (July 12, 2005), File No. SR-NYSE-2004-62. DTC believes that the elimination of the NYSE's drop requirement will result in a most transfer agents withdrawing from DTC's Drop Service. Also, in light of an industry-wide move to dematerialize securities holdings, DTC seeks to discourage the use of physical certificates by eliminating processing facilities that makes the use of certificates easier. Therefore, because the Drop Service no longer serves a need for DTC participants and termination of the Drop Service will assist in furthering industry initiatives to discontinue the use of physical certificates, DTC will no longer provide the Drop Service effective September 1, 2005. DTC believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of Section 17A of the Act 4 and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to DTC because it will discourage the use of inefficient and outdated securities transfer methods and services and as such will promote the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions. Furthermore, the proposed rule change will not adversely affect the safeguarding of securities and funds in DTC's control or custody or for which it is responsible. 4 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
(B)Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition DTC 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 Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments relating to the proposed rule change have been solicited or received. DTC will notify the Commission of any written comments received by the DTC. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing rule change has become effective upon filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 5 and Rule 19b-4(f)(4) 6 thereunder because it is effecting a change in an existing service of a registered clearing agency that does not adversely affect the safeguarding of securities or funds in the custody or control of the clearing agency or for which it is responsible and does not significantly affect the respective rights or obligations of the clearing agency or persons using the service. At any time within sixty days of the filing of such 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. 5 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii). 6 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(4). 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-DTC-2005-13 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-9303. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-DTC-2005-13. 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, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such filings also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of DTC and on DTC's Web site, *http://www.dtcc.com* . 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-DTC-2005-13 and should be submitted on or before October 24, 2005. 7 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). For the Commission by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 7 Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-5344 Filed 9-30-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-52511; File No. SR-NASD-2005-113] Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Association of Securities Dealers; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Related to Proactive Limit Orders September 27, 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 September 22, 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 and II below, which Items have been prepared by Nasdaq. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 3 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder, 4 Nasdaq has designated the proposed rule change as non-controversial, and therefore the proposed rule change is effective upon filing. 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 the Substance of the Proposed Rule Change Nasdaq proposes to create a voluntary proactive limit order type that, if locked or crossed by another accessible market center, will automatically be routed to that market center for potential execution. Nasdaq intends to implement the proposed rule change promptly and will inform market participants of the exact implementation date via a Head Trader Alert on *http://www.nasdaqtrader.com.* The text of the proposed rule change is below. Proposed new language is in italics; proposed deletions are in brackets. 4701. Definitions Unless stated otherwise, the terms described below shall have the following meaning:
(a)through
(uu)No Change. *(vv) The term “Proactive” shall mean, for priced limit orders so designated, that if marketable upon entry into the Nasdaq Market Center, the order will first attempt to execute in the Nasdaq Market Center and thereafter be sent to available external execution venues until it is fully executed or no longer marketable. The order will thereafter be added to the Nasdaq Market Center Book. Once on the book, if another accessible execution venue displays an order that locks or crosses the Proactive Limit Order, the order will be removed from the Nasdaq Market Center book and routed to that locking or crossing execution venue for potential execution.* 4706. Order Entry Parameters
(a)Non-Directed Orders—
(1)General. The following requirements shall apply to Non-Directed Orders Entered by Nasdaq Market Center Participants:
(A)A Nasdaq Market Center Participant may enter into the Nasdaq Market Center a Non-Directed Order in order to access the best bid/best offer as displayed in Nasdaq and other markets as set out in Rule 4714.
(B)A Non-Directed Order must be a market or limit order, must indicate whether it should be not routed to another market in accordance with Rule 4714, whether it is a buy, short sale, short-sale exempt, or long sale, and may be designated as “Immediate or Cancel”, “Day”, “Good-till-Cancelled”, “Auto-Ex”, “Fill or Return”, “Pegged”, “Discretionary”, “Sweep”, “Total Day”, “Total Good till Cancelled”, [or] “Total Immediate or Cancel[,]”, [or] “Summary[.]”, *or “Proactive”.*
(i)through
(xiii)No change. *(xiv) A limit order may be designated as “Proactive,” in which case the order shall be designated as Day, GTC, X, or GTX. A Proactive Order that is marketable upon entry into the Nasdaq Market Center will first attempt to execute in the Nasdaq Market Center and thereafter be sent to available external execution venues until it is fully executed or no longer marketable. The order will thereafter be added to the Nasdaq Market Center book. Once on the book, if another accessible execution venue displays an order that locks or crosses the Proactive Limit Order, the order will be removed from the Nasdaq Market Center book and routed to that locking or crossing execution venue for potential execution.*
(C)through
(F)No Change.
(2)No Change. (b)-(e) 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, 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 to implement the Proactive Order, an order option that will allow Nasdaq users to enter limit order(s) that execute against interest posted on the Nasdaq Market Center book, are posted on the book, and then are routed to another available market center if the limit order's price is locked or crossed by that market center. Currently, limit orders in the Nasdaq Market Center that are locked or crossed by other market centers remain inside the Nasdaq system and are not routed based on their price being locked or crossed. Under this proposal, users would have the option of directing that if their limit orders posted on the book subsequently become locked or crossed by prices displayed in another market center, the orders will be routed to the locking/crossing market center for potential execution. Specifically, the process would operate as follows: If marketable upon entry, the order will be executed either internally in the Nasdaq Market Center or routed to available external execution venues until it is fully executed or no longer marketable. The order will thereafter be added to the Nasdaq Market Center Book. Once on the book, if another accessible execution venue displays an order that locks or crosses the Proactive Limit Order, the order will be removed from the Nasdaq Market Center book and routed to that locking or crossing execution venue for potential execution. This proactive routing capability shall be available as an option on all Nasdaq Market Center order types that are eligible for routing to other execution venues. Nasdaq notes that a similar order functionality is already offered by Nasdaq's Brut Facility as a Super Aggressive Cross Order. 5 Nasdaq also believes that this functionality will reduce the incidence and duration of locked or crossed markets and improve the quality of executions for Nasdaq Market Center users. Because of the similarities between the proposed functionality and orders already in use in the marketplace as well as the important market quality benefits the functionality provides, Nasdaq requests that the Commission waive the 30-day pre-operative waiting period contained in Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) under the Act. 6 5 *See* NASD Rule 4903(b)(1)(C). 6 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii). 2. Statutory Basis Nasdaq believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 15A of the Act, 7 in general, and with Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act, 8 in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, remove impediments to a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. In particular, the proposal will limit the length of locked or crossed markets and improve the quality of executions for all Nasdaq Market Center participants. 7 15 U.S.C. 78o-3. 8 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6). B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition Nasdaq does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in 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 Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not:
(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, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 9 and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder. 10 9 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 10 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). Nasdaq has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because the proposed change rule would permit Nasdaq to implement an order type similar to one already in use in the marketplace that may offer market quality benefits. Therefore, the Commission designates the proposal to be effective and operative upon filing with the Commission. 11 11 For purposes of waiving the 30-day operative delay, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). 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-NASD-2005-113 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, Station Place, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-9303. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASD-2005-113. 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 the 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-2005-113 and should be submitted on or before October 24, 2005. For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 12 12 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-5346 Filed 9-30-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-52515; File No. SR-NASD-2005-106] Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change by National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Regarding Fees for Closed-End Funds Listing on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market September 27, 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 31, 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 the Nasdaq. 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. I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change Nasdaq proposes to amend NASD Rules 4510 and 4520. The text of the proposed rule change is below. Proposed new language is *italicized;* proposed deletions are in [brackets]. 4510. The Nasdaq National Market (a)-(c) No change.
(d)Annual Fee—American Depositary Receipts
(ADRs)and Closed-End Funds. (1)-(3) No change.
(4)For the purpose of determining the total shares outstanding, fund sponsors may aggregate shares outstanding of all Closed-End Funds in the same fund family listed in The Nasdaq National Market *or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market,* as shown in the issuer's most recent periodic reports required to be filed with the appropriate regulatory authority or in more recent information held by Nasdaq. The maximum annual fee applicable to a fund family shall not exceed $75,000. For purposes of this rule, a “fund family” is defined as two or more Closed-End Funds that have a common investment adviser or have investment advisers who are “affiliated persons” as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. (5)-(6) No change.
(e)No change. 4520. The Nasdaq SmallCap Market
(a)Entry Fee. (1)-(2) No change. *(3) A closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (a “Closed-End Fund”), that submits an application for inclusion of securities in The Nasdaq SmallCap Market shall pay to the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. an entry fee of $5,000 (of which $1,000 represents a non-refundable, application fee).* ([3] *4* ) The Board of Directors of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or its designee may, in its discretion, defer or waive all or any part of the entry fee prescribed herein. ([4] *5* ) Total shares outstanding means the aggregate of all classes of equity securities to be included in The Nasdaq SmallCap Market as shown in the issuer's most recent periodic report or in more recent information held by Nasdaq or, in the case of new issues, as shown in the offering circular, required to be filed with the issuer's appropriate regulatory authority. ([5] *6* ) An issuer that submits an application for inclusion of any class of rights in The Nasdaq SmallCap Market, shall pay, at the time of its application, a non-refundable application fee to The Nasdaq Stock Market of $1,000. ([6] *7* ) The fees described in this Rule 4520(a) shall not be applicable with respect to any securities that
(i)are listed on a national securities exchange but not listed on Nasdaq, or
(ii)are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, if the issuer of such securities transfers their listing exclusively to the Nasdaq SmallCap Market. ([7] *8* ) The fees described in this Rule 4520(a) shall not be applicable to an issuer
(i)whose securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and designated as national market securities pursuant to the plan governing New York Stock Exchange securities at the time such securities are approved for listing on Nasdaq, and
(ii)that maintains such listing and designation after it lists such securities on Nasdaq.
(b)No change.
(c)Annual Fee. (1)-(2) No change. *(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a Closed-End Fund listed on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market shall pay to The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. an annual fee calculated based on total shares outstanding according to the following schedule:* Up to 5 million shares $15,000 5+ to 10 million shares $17,500 10+ to 25 million shares $20,000 25+ to 50 million shares $22,500 50+ to 100 million shares $30,000 100+ to 250 million shares $50,000 Over 250 million shares $75,000 ([3] *4* ) The Board of Directors of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or its designee may, in its discretion, defer or waive all or any part of the annual fee prescribed herein. ([4] *5* ) If a class of securities is removed from The Nasdaq SmallCap Market, that portion of the annual fees for such class of securities attributable to the months following the date of removal shall not be refunded, except such portion shall be applied to Nasdaq National Market fees for that calendar year. ([5] *6* ) Total shares outstanding means the aggregate of all classes of equity securities included in The Nasdaq SmallCap Market as shown in the issuer's most recent periodic report required to be filed with the issuer's appropriate regulatory authority or in more recent information held by Nasdaq. In the case of foreign issuers, total shares outstanding shall include only those shares issued and outstanding in the United States. *(7) Notwithstanding paragraph (6), for the purpose of determining the total shares outstanding, fund sponsors may aggregate shares outstanding of all Closed-End Funds in the same fund family listed in The Nasdaq National Market and The Nasdaq SmallCap Market, as shown in the issuer's most recent periodic reports required to be filed with the appropriate regulatory authority or in more recent information held by Nasdaq. The maximum annual fee applicable to a fund family shall not exceed $75,000. For purposes of this rule, a “fund family” is defined as two or more Closed-End Funds that have a common investment adviser or have investment advisers who are “affiliated persons” as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.* ([6] *8* ) In lieu of the fees described in Rule 4510(c)(1), the annual fee shall be $15,000 for each issuer
(i)whose securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and designated as national market securities pursuant to the plan governing New York Stock Exchange securities at the time such securities are approved for listing on Nasdaq, and
(ii)that maintains such listing and designation after it lists such securities on Nasdaq. Such annual fee shall be assessed on the first anniversary of the issuer's listing on Nasdaq.
(d)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, 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 Currently, Closed-End Funds listing on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market (“SmallCap Market”) are required to pay entry and annual fees according to the applicable fee schedules set forth in NASD Rule 4520. 3 These entry fees range from $25,000 to $50,000 and the annual fees from $17,500 to $21,000. 3 Closed-End Funds are evaluated for listing on the SmallCap Market under the general initial listing criteria contained in NASD Rules 4310 and 4320. Pursuant to the rule change, the entry fee for listing a Closed-End Fund on the SmallCap Market will decrease to $5,000 (of which $1,000 is a non-refundable application fee) per fund. Annual fees will be based on the total number of shares outstanding, with a minimum fee of $15,000 and a maximum fee of $75,000. For the purposes of determining the annual fee, fund sponsors will be permitted to aggregate the shares outstanding of all Closed-End Funds listed on either The Nasdaq National Market (“National Market”) or the SmallCap Market that are part of the same fund family. As a result, the annual fee may not exceed $75,000 per fund family. For the purposes of this rule, a “fund family” is defined as two or more Closed-End Funds that share a common investment adviser or investment advisers who are “affiliated persons” as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Nasdaq believes there are several reasons to adopt new fees applicable to Closed-End Funds listing on the SmallCap Market. First, the new annual fee schedule would accommodate the needs of fund sponsors more effectively than the current fee schedule because sponsors often choose to issue and list multiple funds in the same family. Currently, each fund that is listed on The SmallCap Market is assessed a separate annual fee. Under the proposed rules, fund families would be permitted to aggregate shares outstanding of listed funds to determine the annual fee, subject to an annual cap of $75,000 per fund family. Second, under the proposed rule change, funds listed on the SmallCap Market would be subject to a schedule of annual fees identical to that of funds listed on the National Market. 4 Because fund families would be permitted to aggregate shares outstanding across markets for the purposes of calculating the annual fee, Nasdaq believes that matching fee schedules would minimize problems that could arise if fund families listing funds on both the National Market and SmallCap Market were subject to conflicting fee schedules. Although an individual fund listing on the SmallCap Market with over 25 million total shares outstanding would be subject to an increase in annual fees under the proposed rules, Nasdaq believes the benefits of substantially lower entry fees and the ability of fund families to aggregate shares across markets outweigh the burden to funds of the limited fee increase. 4 Nasdaq recently adopted new listing fees for Closed-End Funds listing on the National Market. *See* Securities Exchange Act Release No. 52277 (August 17, 2005), 70 FR 49347 (August 23, 2005) (SR-NASD-2005-096). Finally, in many cases where multiple funds are listed, the new fee schedule would lower fees payable by Closed-End Funds, thereby benefiting the fund investors that ultimately pay those expenses by reducing the costs associated with listing fund shares. In addition, Nasdaq believes that establishing lower fees for fund families would permit Nasdaq to compete more effectively for listings with other markets. 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)(5) of the Act, 6 in particular, in that it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable fees, dues, and other charges among members and issuers and other persons using any facility or system which the NASD operates or controls. The proposed change to the entry and annual fees will apply equally to all Closed-End Funds listing on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market. Furthermore, Nasdaq believes that the proposed fees are reasonable and fall within the range of fees charged by other markets. 5 15 U.S.C. 78 *o* -3. 6 15 U.S.C. 78 *o* -3(b)(5). B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition Nasdaq does not believe that the proposed rule change 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; 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 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-2005-106 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, Station Place, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-9303. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NASD-2005-106. 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 Nasdaq. 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-NASD-2005-106 and should be submitted on or before October 24, 2005. 7 7 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 7 Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-5354 Filed 9-30-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 5198] 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Form DS-86, Statement of Non-Receipt of a Passport, OMB Control Number 1405-0146 ACTION: Notice of request for public comments. SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)approval for the information collection described below. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment in the **Federal Register** preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting this process in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. • Title of Information Collection: Statement of Non-Receipt of A Passport • OMB Control Number: 1405-0146 • Type of Request: Extension of the currently approved collection • Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State, Passport Services, Office of Field Operations, Field Coordination Division. CA/PPT/FO/FC. • Form Number: DS-86 • Respondents: Individuals or Households • Estimated Number of Respondents: 23,500 • Estimated Number of Responses: 23,500 • Average Hours Per Response: 1/12 hr. (5 min.) • Total Estimated Burden: 2,000 hours annually • Frequency: On occasion • Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain a Benefit DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to 60 days from December 2, 2005. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • E-mail: *Cowlishawsc@state.gov.* You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information collection title, and OMB control number in the subject line of your message. • Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): Susan Cowlishaw, U.S. Department Of State, CA/PPT/FO/FC. 2100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 3rd Floor/Room 3040/SA-29, Washington, DC 20037. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including requests for copies of the proposed information collection and supporting documents, to Susan Cowlishaw, U.S. Department Of State, CA/PPT/FO/FC. 2100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 3rd Floor/Room 3040/SA-29, Washington, DC 20037, who may be reached on 202.261.8957 or *Cowlishawsc@state.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to: • Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper performance of our functions. • Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used. • Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected. • Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of technology. Abstract of proposed collection: The Statement of Non-Receipt of A Passport, Form DS-86, is used by the U.S. Department of State to collect information for the purpose of issuing a replacement passport to customers who have not received the passport for which they originally applied. The information is used by the Department of State to ensure that no person shall bear more than one valid or potentially valid U.S. passport at any one time, except as authorized by the Department, and also aids in combating passport fraud and misuse. Methodology: Passport applicants who do not receive their passports are required to complete a Statement of Non-Receipt of A Passport, Form DS-86. Passport applicants can either download the form from the Internet or pick one up from an Acceptance Facility/Passport Agency. The form must be completed and signed. The form is then submitted to the Acceptance Facility/Passport Agency for passport re-issuance. Dated: September 16, 2005. Frank Moss, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State. [FR Doc. 05-19748 Filed 9-30-05; 8:45 am]
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