Rules and Regulations. Notice of intent to establish an advisory committee

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BILLING CODE 8010-01-P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34-53999; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2006-30] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Trading of WisdomTree Exchange Traded Funds Pursuant to Unlisted Trading Privileges June 15, 2006. 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 June 15, 2006, NYSE Arca, Inc.

(the “Exchange”), through its wholly owned subsidiary NYSE Arca Equities, Inc. (“NYSE Arca Equities” or the “Corporation”), 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 the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons and is approving the proposal on an accelerated basis. 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 Pursuant to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3), the Exchange proposes to trade, pursuant to unlisted trading privileges (“UTP”), shares (“Shares”) of the following thirty-four

(34)exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), which are Investment Company Units under the Rule:

(1)WisdomTree Europe Total Dividend Fund;

(2)WisdomTree Europe High-Yielding Equity Fund;

(3)WisdomTree Japan Total Dividend Fund;

(4)WisdomTree Japan High-Yielding Equity Fund;

(5)WisdomTree DIEFA Fund;

(6)WisdomTree DIEFA High Yielding Equity Fund;

(7)WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Total Dividend Fund;

(8)WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan High-Yielding Equity Fund;

(9)WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund;

(10)WisdomTree International MidCap Dividend Fund;

(11)WisdomTree International SmallCap Dividend Fund;

(12)WisdomTree International Dividend Top 100 Fund;

(13)WisdomTree Europe Dividend Top 100 Fund;

(14)WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Fund;

(15)WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund;

(16)WisdomTree International Consumer Non-Cyclical Sector Fund;

(17)WisdomTree International Basic Materials Sector Fund;

(18)WisdomTree International Communications Sector Fund;

(19)WisdomTree International Consumer Cyclical Sector Fund;

(20)WisdomTree International Energy Sector Fund;

(21)WisdomTree International Financial Sector Fund;

(22)WisdomTree International Healthcare Sector Fund;

(23)WisdomTree International Industrial Sector Fund;

(24)WisdomTree International Technology Sector Fund;

(25)WisdomTree International Utilities Sector Fund;

(26)WisdomTree Emerging Markets Total Dividend Fund;

(27)WisdomTree Emerging Markets High-Yielding Equity Fund;

(28)WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Top 100 Fund;

(29)WisdomTree Latin America Dividend Fund;

(30)WisdomTree Asia Emerging Markets Total Dividend Fund;

(31)WisdomTree Asia Emerging Markets High-Yielding Equity Fund;

(32)WisdomTree China Dividend Fund;

(33)WisdomTree Hong Kong Dividend Fund; and

(34)WisdomTree Singapore Dividend Fund (collectively, the “Funds”). 3 3 “WisdomTree,” “High-Yielding Equity,” “Dividend Top 100,” “WisdomTree DIEFA,” “International Dividend Top 100,” and “Dividend Stream” are servicemarks of WisdomTree Investments, Inc. 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 Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item III below, and is set forth in Sections A, B, and C below. A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose Pursuant to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3), the Exchange proposes to trade, pursuant to UTP, Shares of the Funds. The Funds are separate investment portfolios of the WisdomTree Trust (the “Trust”). 4 A rule proposal for the original listing and trading of the Shares was filed with the Commission by the New York Stock Exchange, LLC (“NYSE”) 5 and was approved on June 15, 2006. 6 The Shares are Investment Company Units under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3). 4 The Trust will be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a), (the “Investment Company Act”). The Trust filed with the Commission a Registration Statement for certain Funds (specifically, numbers 1 to 15 of the Funds specified above) on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a), and under the Investment Company Act relating to the Funds (File Nos. 333-132380 and 811-21864) on March 13, 2006, and filed an amendment thereto on June 5, 2006, (“Registration Statement”). In the June 5, 2006, amendment to the Registration Statement, the Trust changed the names of the WisdomTree DIPR Fund and WisdomTree DIPR High-Yielding Equity Fund to the WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Total Dividend Fund and WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan High-Yielding Equity Fund, respectively. In contrast to the Funds, which each invest in dividend-paying non-U.S. equity securities, the Trust also consists of six funds that invest in indexes comprised of dividend-paying U.S. equity securities, as described in the Registration Statement, that are not included in this rule proposal. On April 19, 2006, the Trust filed with the Commission an Application for Orders under Sections 6(c) and 17(b) of the Investment Company Act for the purpose of exempting all of the Funds from various provisions of the Investment Company Act and the rules thereunder (“Application”). 5 *See* File No. SR-NYSE-2006-41. (“NYSE Proposal”). 6 *See* Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53998 (File No. SR-NYSE-2006-41) (“NYSE Order”). The Funds will hold certain securities (“Component Securities”) selected to correspond generally to the performance of the following indexes, respectively (the “Indexes,” “Underlying Indexes” or “International Indexes”):

(1)WisdomTree Europe Dividend Index;

(2)WisdomTree Europe High-Yielding Equity Index;

(3)WisdomTree Japan Dividend Index;

(4)WisdomTree Japan High-Yielding Equity Index;

(5)WisdomTree Dividend Index of Europe, Far East Asia and Australasia (referred to as the “WisdomTree DIEFA Index”);

(6)WisdomTree DIEFA High-Yielding Equity Index;

(7)WisdomTree Dividend Index of the Pacific Region (referred to as the “WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan Index”);

(8)WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan High-Yielding Equity Index;

(9)WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Index;

(10)WisdomTree International MidCap Dividend Index;

(11)WisdomTree International SmallCap Dividend Index;

(12)WisdomTree International Dividend Top 100 Index;

(13)WisdomTree Europe Dividend Top 100 Index;

(14)WisdomTree Europe SmallCap Dividend Index;

(15)WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Index;

(16)WisdomTree International Consumer Non-Cyclical Sector Index;

(17)WisdomTree International Basic Materials Sector Index;

(18)WisdomTree International Communications Sector Index;

(19)WisdomTree International Consumer Cyclical Sector Index;

(20)WisdomTree International Energy Sector Index;

(21)WisdomTree International Financial Sector Index;

(22)WisdomTree International Healthcare Sector Index;

(23)WisdomTree International Industrial Sector Index;

(24)WisdomTree International Technology Sector Index;

(25)WisdomTree International Utilities Sector Index;

(26)WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Index (“EMDI”);

(27)WisdomTree Emerging Markets High-Yielding Equity Index (“EMDI HYE”);

(28)WisdomTree Emerging Markets Dividend Top 100 Index (“EMDI Top 100”);

(29)WisdomTree Latin America Dividend Index (“LDI”);

(30)WisdomTree Asia Emerging Markets Dividend Index (“AEMDI”);

(31)WisdomTree Asia Emerging Markets High-Yielding Equity Index (“AEMDI HYE”);

(32)WisdomTree China Dividend Index;

(33)WisdomTree Hong Kong Dividend Index and

(34)WisdomTree Singapore Dividend Index. The investment objective of each Fund will be to provide investment returns that closely correspond to the price, dividend, and yield performance of its Underlying Index. In seeking to achieve the respective investment objective of each Fund, BNY Investment Advisors (the “Subadvisor”) may utilize a “replication” strategy, or a “representative sampling” strategy with respect to its Underlying Index. The Trust expects that a Fund using a replication strategy will invest in substantially all of the component securities in its portfolio in the same approximate proportions as in its Index. A Fund utilizing a representative sampling strategy generally will invest in a significant number of the component securities of its Underlying Index, but it may not invest in all of the component securities of its Underlying Index. Each Fund's investment objectives, policies and investment strategies are fully disclosed in its relevant prospectus and statement of additional information (“SAI”). The Shares A description of the operation of the Funds, the Indexes, and the Shares is set forth in the NYSE Proposal. To summarize, the Trust will issue, with respect to each Fund on a continuous offering basis, only specified large aggregations of Shares (each such aggregation a “Creation Unit”) currently expected to range from 25,000 to 200,000 Shares, as will be clearly stated in such Fund's Prospectus. The Funds will offer and sell Creation Units of Shares through ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) on a continuous basis, by or through participants that have entered into participant agreements (each, an “Authorized Participant”) 7 with the Distributor. The Funds will offer and sell Creation Units of Shares at the NAV per share next determined after receipt of an order in proper form. The NAV of the Shares will be determined as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (the “NAV Calculation Time,” currently expected to be 4 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”)) on each business day. 8 7 Authorized Participants are Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) participants that must be registered as broker-dealers under the Exchange Act (unless offering or selling shares outside the U.S. and not otherwise required to be registered). 8 A “business day” with respect to each Fund is any day on which the NYSE is open for business. Purchases and redemptions of Creation Units will be made generally by means of an in-kind tender of specified securities (“Deposit Securities”), with any cash portion of the purchase price (“Cash Requirement”) and redemption proceeds to be kept to a minimum, as described in the Registration Statement. The Deposit Securities and the Cash Requirement collectively are referred to as the “Creation Deposit.” The Cash Requirement is a cash payment designed to ensure that the NAV of a Creation Deposit is identical to the NAV of the Creation Unit it is used to purchase. The Cash Requirement will be the amount equal to the difference between the NAV of a Creation Unit and the market value of the Deposit Securities. Authorized Participants that wish to purchase a Creation Unit must transfer the Creation Deposit to the accounts maintained at the applicable sub-custodians. Creation Units are then separable upon issuance into the Shares that will be traded on the NYSE Arca Marketplace on a UTP basis. 9 9 Shares are separate and distinct from the underlying securities comprising the portfolio of a Fund. The Exchange expects that the number of outstanding Shares will increase and decrease as a result of in-kind deposits and withdrawals of the underlying securities. The Shares will not be individually redeemable but will only be redeemable in Creation Units. To redeem, an Authorized Participant must accumulate enough Shares to constitute a Creation Unit. Redemption requests must be placed by or through an Authorized Participant. Redemption requests in good order will receive the NAV next determined after the request is received. Procedures for redemptions are analogous (in reverse) to those for purchase of Creation Units, except that redemption requests are made directly to the Fund and are not made through the Distributor. More information regarding the creation and redemption process is provided in the Funds' Registration Statement, SAI, and the NYSE Proposal. Availability of Information Regarding Shares and the Underlying Indexes In addition to the list of names and amount of each security constituting the current Deposit Securities, on each business day, the Cash Requirement effective as of the previous business day, per outstanding share of each Fund, will be made available. Every 15 seconds during the NYSE's regular trading hours (normally 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., ET), there will be disseminated though a major market vendor or on the Consolidated Tape an amount per share representing the sum of the estimated Cash Requirement effective through and including the previous business day, plus the current value of the Deposit Securities, on a per-Share basis. This amount represents the estimated NAV of a Share (sometimes referred to as the Indicative Optimized Portfolio Value (“IOPV”), and reflects changes in the currency rates between the U.S. dollar and the applicable home foreign currency. The IOPV for the Funds will be calculated by the Calculation Agent (Bloomberg L.P.). While the IOPV is expected to be generally very close to the most recently calculated Fund NAV on a per-Fund-share basis, it is possible that the value of the portfolio of securities held by each Fund may diverge from the Deposit Securities values during the trading day. In such case, the IOPV will not precisely reflect the value of each Fund's portfolio. However, during the trading day, the IOPV can be expected to closely approximate the value per Fund share of the portfolio of securities for each Fund, except under unusual circumstances ( *e.g.* , in the case of extensive rebalancing of multiple securities in a Fund at the same time by WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. (the “Advisor”)). According to the NYSE Proposal, where there is an overlap in trading hours between the foreign and U.S. markets with respect to the Funds, the Calculation Agent will update the applicable IOPV at least every 15 seconds from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET to reflect price changes in the applicable foreign market or markets and convert such prices into U.S. dollars, based on the applicable currency exchange rate. At times when the foreign market or markets are closed during the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET, the IOPV will be updated at least every 15 seconds during these hours to reflect changes in currency exchange rates after the foreign markets close. Where there is no overlap in trading hours between the foreign and U.S. markets, then the IOPV will be updated at least every 15 seconds from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET to reflect changes in currency exchange rates after the foreign markets close. In addition, the following information will be disseminated:

(i)Continuously from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET, last sale prices of Shares over the Consolidated Tape, and

(ii)at least every 15 seconds throughout such hours, the IOPV. Comparing these two figures allows an investor to determine whether, and to what extent, Shares are selling at a premium or a discount to the NAV. The intra-day value of each Index, based on the market price of its component securities, will be updated and disseminated every 15 seconds over the Consolidated Tape or through organizations authorized by the Calculation Agent each business day. 10 10 All Index values will be disseminated only from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET. As with international indexes underlying existing ETFs, the value of each Index will be updated and disseminated every 15 seconds during these hours each business day to reflect

(i)changing market prices if there is any overlap between the normal market hours in the U.S. and the market(s) covered by such Index (otherwise closing or last-sale prices in the applicable non-U.S. market are used), and

(ii)changing currency exchange rates. Index values will not be disseminated from 4:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET because the all relevant international markets are closed during this time. Telephone conversation between David Strandberg, Director, Issuer Services, NYSE Arca, Inc. and Ronesha Butler, Special Counsel, Division of Market Regulation (“Divison”), Commission, on June 15, 2006. Information on the Indexes will be available on the Funds' Web site ( *http://www.wisdomtree.com* ), as will a description of the rules-based methodology. Each business day, the Web site will publish free of charge (or provide a link to another Web site that will publish free of charge) the securities in each Fund's portfolio and their respective weightings, each Fund's per share NAV and last-traded price and midpoint of the bid/ask spread as of the NAV calculation time, all as of the prior business day. The components and weightings of the Indexes, as well as each Fund's portfolio, will also be available through unaffiliated third-party major market data vendors, such as Bloomberg L.P. All the securities included in the International Indexes will be listed on major stock exchanges in their respective countries. A Web address exists for every international exchange where the international component securities trade and “quotations” (which may be disseminated on a delayed basis or may not be updated during NYSE trading hours) can be accessed for each of such securities through such Web address. In addition, U.S. retail investors with access to the Internet can access “quotations” with respect to these foreign securities through Yahoo Finance! ( *http://finance.yahoo.com* ), as well as other financial Web sites. Investors with access to a Bloomberg machine can directly access “quotations” and fundamental data on these foreign securities. In addition, according to the NYSE Proposal, issuers of all component securities of any International Index file disclosure documents, such as prospectuses, with their respective regulators. The Funds' Web site will be publicly accessible and free of charge to all investors and will provide a link to the Web address for every exchange on which the securities of each Index are listed. The Exchange's Web site will include a hyperlink to the Funds' Web site. According to the NYSE Proposal, the Calculation Agent will disseminate Index information through the Bloomberg Professional Service, which is available to subscribers. Index values on a total return basis will be disseminated on an end-of-day basis through the Bloomberg Professional Service. Price index values will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and disseminated every 15 seconds from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET to the Securities Industry Automation Corporation (“SIAC”) so that such Index values can print to the Consolidated Tape. A “total return Index value” reflects price appreciation (or depreciation) of the underlying securities, plus reinvestment of dividends. A “price Index value” reflects only price appreciation (or depreciation) of the underlying securities. According to the NYSE Proposal, the Calculation Agent will disseminate over the Consolidated Tape values for each Underlying Index once each trading day, based on closing prices of the securities in each such Index. Each Fund will make available on a daily basis through National Securities Clearing Corporation (the “NSCC”) the names and required number of Shares of each of the Deposit Securities in a Creation Unit, as well as information regarding the Cash Requirement. The NAV for each Fund will be calculated and disseminated daily. The Funds' Web site, accessible to all investors at no charge, will publish the current version of the Prospectus and SAI, the Underlying Index for each Fund, as well as additional quantitative information that is updated on a daily basis, including daily trading volume, closing price and closing NAV for each Fund. The NYSE will disseminate a variety of data with respect to each Fund on a daily basis. Information with respect to recent NAV, net accumulated dividend, final dividend amount to be paid, Shares outstanding, estimated cash amount, and total cash amount per Creation Unit will be made available each day, prior to 9:30 a.m. ET. The closing prices of the Funds' Deposit Securities are readily available from, as applicable, the relevant markets, automated quotation systems, published or other public sources or on-line information services, such as Bloomberg or Reuters. UTP Trading Criteria The Exchange represents that it will cease trading the Shares of a Fund during the listing market's trading hours if:

(a)The listing market stops trading the Shares because of a regulatory halt similar to a halt based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.12 and/or a halt because the IOPV and/or the Index value of a Fund is no longer calculated or disseminated; or

(b)the listing market delists the Shares; or

(c)the NAV per share is not disseminated to all market participants. 11 Additionally, the Exchange may cease trading the Shares of a Fund if such other event shall occur or condition exists which in the opinion of the Exchange makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. 11 Telephone conversation between Glenn H. Gsell, Director, Regulation, NYSE Arca, Inc. and Ronesha Butler, Special Counsel, and Angela Muehr, Attorney, Division, Commission, on June 15, 2006. Trading Rules The Exchange deems the Shares to be equity securities, thus rendering trading in the Shares subject to the Exchange's existing rules governing the trading of equity securities. Shares will trade on the NYSE Arca Marketplace from 9:30 a.m. ET until 8 p.m. ET. The Exchange has appropriate rules to facilitate transactions in the Shares during all trading sessions. The minimum trading increment for Shares on the Exchange will be $0.01. With respect to trading halts, the Exchange may consider all relevant factors in exercising its discretion to halt or suspend trading in the Shares of a Fund. Trading may be halted because of market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in the Shares inadvisable. These may include:

(1)The extent to which trading is not occurring in the securities comprising an Underlying Index of a Fund, or

(2)whether other unusual conditions or circumstances detrimental to the maintenance of a fair and orderly market are present. In addition, trading in the Shares will be subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the Exchange's “circuit breaker” rule 12 or by the halt or suspension of trading of the underlying securities. See “UTP Trading Criteria” above for specific instances when the Exchange will cease trading the Shares. 12 *See* NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.12. Shares will be deemed “Eligible Listed Securities,” as defined in NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.55, for purposes of the Intermarket Trading System (“ITS”) Plan and therefore will be subject to the trade through provisions of NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.56, which require that ETP Holders avoid initiating trade-throughs for ITS securities. Unless exemptive or no-action relief is available, the Shares will be subject to the short sale rule, Rule 10a-1 and Regulation SHO under the Act. If exemptive or no-action relief is provided, the Exchange will issue a notice detailing the terms of the exemption or relief. Surveillance The Exchange intends to utilize its existing surveillance procedures applicable to derivative products to monitor trading in the Shares. The Exchange represents that these procedures are adequate to monitor Exchange trading of the Shares in all trading sessions. The Exchange's current trading surveillance focuses on detecting securities trading outside their normal patterns. When such situations are detected, surveillance analysis follows and investigations are opened, where appropriate, to review the behavior of all relevant parties for all relevant trading violations. The Exchange is able to obtain information regarding trading in the Shares and the securities comprising the Underlying Indexes through ETP Holders in connection with such ETP Holders' proprietary or customer trades. In addition, the Exchange may obtain trading information via the Intermarket Surveillance Group (“ISG”) from other exchanges who are members or affiliates of the ISG. In addition, the Exchange also has a general policy prohibiting the distribution of material, non-public information by its employees. Information Bulletin Prior to the commencement of trading, the Exchange will inform its ETP Holders in an Information Bulletin of the special characteristics and risks associated with trading the Shares. Specifically, the Information Bulletin will discuss the following:

(1)The procedures for purchases and redemptions of Shares in Creation Unit Aggregations (and that Shares are not individually redeemable);

(2)Funds' calculation of NAV;

(3)NYSE Arca Equities Rule 9.2(a), which imposes a duty of due diligence on its ETP Holders to learn the essential facts relating to every customer prior to trading the Shares; 13

(4)how information regarding the IOPV is disseminated;

(5)the requirement that ETP Holders deliver a prospectus to investors purchasing newly issued Shares prior to or concurrently with the confirmation of a transaction; and

(6)trading information. 13 The Exchange has proposed to amend NYSE Arca Equities Rule 9.2(a) (“Diligence as to Accounts”) to provide that ETP Holders, before recommending a transaction, must have reasonable grounds to believe that the recommendation is suitable for the customer based on any facts disclosed by the customer as to his other security holdings and as to his financial situation and needs. Further, the proposed rule amendment provides that ETP Holders should make reasonable efforts to obtain the customer's financial status, tax status, investment objectives and any other information that they believe would be useful to make a recommendation. *See* Amendment No. 2 to SR-PCX-2005-115 (May 5, 2006). The Information Bulletin will advise ETP Holders, prior to the commencement of trading, of the prospectus delivery requirements applicable to the Funds. 14 The Information Bulletin will also discuss any relief, if granted by the Commission or the staff, from any rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 15 14 The Application included a request that the exemptive order also grant relief from Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act, which would permit dealers to sell Shares in the secondary market unaccompanied by a statutory prospectus when prospectus delivery is not required by the Securities Act of 1933. Any Product Description used in reliance on Section 24(d) exemptive relief will comply with all representations and conditions set forth in the order. 15 15 U.S.C. 78a. In addition, the Information Bulletin will reference that the Trust is subject to various fees and expenses described in the Registration Statement. The Information Bulletin will also disclose that the NAV for the Shares will be calculated shortly after 4 p.m. ET each trading day. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act 16 in general and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5), 17 in particular, in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transaction in securities, to remove impediments and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open market, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. 16 15 U.S.C. 78s(b). 17 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(5). In addition, the Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with Rule 12f-5 under the Act 18 because it deems the Shares to be equity securities, thus rendering the Shares subject to the Exchange's existing rules governing the trading of equity securities. 18 17 CFR 240.12f-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 Received From Members, Participants or Others The Exchange has neither solicited nor received written comments on the proposed rule change. III. 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-NYSEArca-2006-30 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, Station Place, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEArca-2006-30. 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 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-NYSEArca-2006-30 and should be submitted on or before July 13, 2006. IV. Commission's Findings and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change The Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange. 19 In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act, 20 which requires that an exchange have rules designed, among other things, 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. 19 In approving this 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). 20 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). In addition, the Commission finds that the proposal is consistent with Section 12(f) of the Act, 21 which permits an exchange to trade, pursuant to UTP, a security that is listed and registered on another exchange. 22 The Commission notes that it previously approved the listing and trading of the Shares on the NYSE. 23 The Commission also finds that the proposal is consistent with Rule 12f-5 under the Act, 24 which provides that an exchange shall not extend UTP to a security unless the exchange has in effect a rule or rules providing for transactions in the class or type of security to which the exchange extends UTP. NYSEArca rules deem the Shares to be equity securities, thus trading in the Shares will be subject to the Exchange's existing rules governing the trading of equity securities. 21 15 U.S.C. 78 *l* (f). 22 Section 12(a) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 78l(a), generally prohibits a broker-dealer from trading a security on a national securities exchange unless the security is registered on that exchange pursuant to Section 12 of the Act. Section 12(f) of the Act excludes from this restriction trading in any security to which an exchange “extends UTP.” When an exchange extends UTP to a security, it allows its members to trade the security as if it were listed and registered on the exchange even though it is not so listed and registered. 23 *See* NYSE Order, *supra* note 6. 24 17 CFR 240.12f-5. The Commission further believes that the proposal is consistent with Section 11A(a)(1)(C)(iii) of the Act, 25 which sets forth Congress's finding that it is in the public interest and appropriate for the protection of investors and the maintenance of fair and orderly markets to assure the availability to brokers, dealers, and investors of information with respect to quotations for and transactions in securities. 25 15 U.S.C. 78k-1(a)(1)(C)(iii). In support of the portion of the proposed rule change regarding UTP of the Shares, the Exchange has made the following representations: 1. The Exchange has appropriate rules to facilitate transactions in this type of security in all trading sessions. 2. The Exchange's surveillance procedures are adequate to properly monitor the trading of the Shares on the Exchange. 3. The Exchange will distribute an Information Bulletin to its members prior to the commencement of trading of the Shares on the Exchange that explains the special characteristics and risks of trading the Shares. 4. The Exchange will require a member with a customer who purchases newly issued Shares on the Exchange to provide that customer with a product prospectus and will note this prospectus delivery requirement in the Information Bulletin. 5. The Exchange will cease trading in the Shares if

(i)the listing market stops trading the Shares because of a regulatory halt similar to a halt based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.12 and/or a halt because the IOPV and/or the Index value of a Fund is no longer calculated or disseminated, or

(ii)the listing market delists the Shares, or

(iii)the NAV per share is not disseminated to all market participants. Additionally, the Exchange may cease trading the Shares if such other event shall occur or condition exists which in the opinion of the Exchange makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. This approval order is conditioned on the Exchange's adherence to these representations. The Commission finds good cause for approving this proposed rule change before the thirtieth day after the publication of notice thereof in the **Federal Register** . As noted previously, the Commission previously found that the listing and trading of these Shares on the NYSE is consistent with the Act. 26 The Commission presently is not aware of any issue that would cause it to revisit that earlier finding or preclude the trading of these funds on the Exchange pursuant to UTP. Therefore, accelerating approval of this proposed rule change should benefit investors by creating, without undue delay, additional competition in the market for these Shares. 26 *See* NYSE Order, *supra* note 6. V. Conclusion *It is therefore ordered,* pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, that the proposed rule change (SR-NYSEArca-2006-30), is hereby approved on an accelerated basis. 27 27 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 28 28 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12). Nancy M. Morris, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-9831 Filed 6-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Secretary [Docket No. OST-2006-25103] Advisory Committee on Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.7: Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure—Gulf Coast Study AGENCY: Office of the Secretary (OST), USDOT. ACTION: Notice of intent to establish an advisory committee. SUMMARY: Pursuant to duties imposed by law upon the Department, including the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2) “FACA,” and DOT Order 1120.3B, the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation is establishing an advisory committee to provide technical advice and recommendations to a USDOT/USGS Research Team investigating the potential impacts of climate change on transportation. The committee will include scientists, educators, experts, and representatives of State and local governments engaged in transportation decision-making. This document describes the role of the committee as set forth in the Charter. The purpose of the notice is to invite representatives from interested sectors to participate. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Savonis, Air Quality Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration Office of Natural and Human Environment, at 202-366-2080 ( *Michael.Savonis@dot.gov* ). His mailing address is at the Department of Transportation, Room 3240 HEPN-10, 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. *Comment Period:* The comment period for this notice extends through July 7, 2006. The Department will accept comments received as a result of this notice. During the comment period, the Department will file a charter for the committee with the General Services Administration, and the convener will begin contacting potential participants. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DOT Center for Climate Change and Environmental Forecasting has identified the need for improved information about climate variability and change in transportation decision making. In consultation with transportation experts, climate scientists and Federal partners, the Center developed this study to investigate the impacts of climate change and variability on transportation through a regional study of the central U.S. Gulf Coast. The study will develop decision-support knowledge and tools to assist transportation decision-makers in incorporating climate-related trend information into transportation system planning, design, engineering, and operational decisions. Implications for all transportation modes—surface, marine, and aviation—will be addressed. This study is one of 21 Synthesis and Assessment Products of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). The study prospectus has been posted by the CCSP for public review in the **Federal Register** , and has been modified to incorporate public comments. The prospectus is available at: *http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-7/sap4-7prospectus-final.htm* . DOT is assisted by the U.S. Geological Survey

(281)875-4000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Savonis, Air Quality Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration Office of Natural and Human Environment, at 202-366-2080 ( *Michael.Savonis@dot.gov* ). His mailing address is at the Department of Transportation, Room 3240 HEPN-10, 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. *Comment Period:* The comment period for this notice extends through July 7, 2006. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DOT Center for Climate Change and Environmental Forecasting (the Center) has identified the need for improved information about climate variability and change in transportation decision making. In consultation with transportation experts, climate scientists and Federal partners, the Center developed this study to investigate the impacts of climate change and variability on transportation through a regional study of the central U.S. Gulf Coast. The study will develop decision-support knowledge and tools to assist transportation decision-makers in incorporating climate-related trend information into transportation system planning, design, engineering, and operational decisions. Implications for all transportation modes—surface, marine, and aviation—will be addressed. This study is one of 21 Synthesis and Assessment Products of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). The study prospectus has been posted by the CCSP for public review in the **Federal Register** , and has been modified to incorporate public comments. The prospectus is available at: *http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4--7/sap4-7prospectus-final.htm.* DOT is assisted by the U.S. Geological Survey

(USGS)in this study. DOT and USGS signed a memo of understanding in January 2004 agreeing to cooperate on research that will inform decision-makers and the public about the potential effects of climate variability and change on the Nation's transportation systems. This study is the first project under that agreement. Members of the public wishing to attend meetings held in Department of Transportation buildings or other Federal facilities will have to enter through designated security checkpoints. The visitor entry point for the Department of Transportation headquarters building is in the southwest corner entrance to the building (i.e., the entrance nearest the corner of 7th and E Streets, SW.). Visitors must be escorted into and out of the building. Because it can take some time for large numbers of visitors to process through security, we request that visitors arrive between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. to undergo the screening process. DOT personnel will then escort groups of visitors to the meeting room. This group escort process will also be followed for persons entering following the lunch break and for persons leaving the building for lunch and at the end of each day's meeting. Charter of the Committee A summary of the Charter of the Advisory Committee on Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.7: Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure—Gulf Coast Study is provided below. The Secretary of Transportation, pursuant to duties imposed by law upon the Department, including the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2) “FACA”, and DOT Order 1120.3B, hereby establishes the U.S. Department of Transportation's

(DOT)Advisory Committee on Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.7 (S&A 4.7): Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure—Gulf Coast Study, Phase I. The committee will provide technical advice and recommendations to the DOT in order to develop S&A Product 4.7 for the Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). The committee will provide balanced, consensual advice on the Study design, research methodology, data sources and quality, and Study findings. The committee will function as an advisory body and will comply with the requirements of FACA in carrying out its duties. Members of the Committee The members of the committee and a summary of their qualifications are provided below. VICKI ARROYO, J.D., Director of Policy Analysis for the Pew Center on Global Climate Change PHILIP B. BEDIENT, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University LEIGH B. BOSKE, Ph.D., Associate Dean and Professor of Economics at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin ALAN CLARK, Director for Houston-Galveston Area Council Metropolitan Planning Organization FRED DENNIN, Regional Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Region 3 PAUL FISCHBECK, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Engineering and Public Policy and the Department of Social and Decision Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University ANTHONY JANETOS, Ph.D., Vice President, H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment THOMAS KARL, Ph.D., Director of the National Climatic Data Center, NOAA ROBERT LEMPERT, Ph.D., Senior Physical Scientist, the RAND Corporation GILBERT MITCHELL, Division Chief, National Geodetic Survey CHRIS OYNES, J.D., Regional Director for the Gulf of Mexico OCS Region of Minerals Management Service HAROLD R. “SKIP” PAUL, P.E., Associate Director of Research at the Louisiana Transportation Research Center, Office of Highways TOM PODANY Acting Deputy District Engineer for Programs and Project Management and Chief of Planning, Programs and Project Management Division BURR STEWART Strategic Planning Manager, Port of Seattle ELAINE WILKINSON, Executive Director, Gulf Regional Planning Commission JOHN ZAMURS, Ph.D., Air Quality Section Head, Environmental Analysis Bureau, New York State Department of Transportation Meeting Agenda This meeting and any future meetings of the committee are open to the public (unless portions of the meeting are held in closed session, as provided under FACA), and time will be provided in each meeting's schedule for comments by members of the public. Attendance will necessarily be limited by the size of the meeting room. Members of the public wishing to present written materials to the committee may do so, and should make enough copies for the facilitator and all members of the committee. The agenda topics of the meeting of the committee will include, but not necessarily be limited to, discussion of the following issues: 1. Review of draft findings of the USGS research team on climate variability and change in the study region; 2. Review of technical memos addressing the potential effects of climate variability and change on transportation planning and operations in the study region, including implications for: —Highways and transit, —Rail, —Ports and waterways, —Aviation, —Pipelines, —Emergency management, —Long range planning and investment; and 3. Next steps for completion of the study. The committee may alter its schedule and the agenda items. The agenda presented in this notice is necessarily very general since the direction and nature of the advisory committee discussions will shape the meeting. The Department will issue additional notices, as needed, with respect to future meeting schedules and agenda topics. Issued this 16th day of June, 2006, at Washington DC. Tyler Duvall, Assistant Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation. [FR Doc. E6-9861 Filed 6-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request June 15, 2006. The Department of Treasury has submitted the following public information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling the Treasury Bureau Clearance Officer listed. Comments regarding this information collection should be addressed to the OMB reviewer listed and to the Treasury Department Clearance Officer, Department of the Treasury, Room 11000, 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before July 24, 2006 to be assured of consideration. Internal Revenue Service

(IRS)*OMB Number:* 1545-0162. *Type of Review:* Revision. *Title:* Credit for Federal Tax Paid on Fuels. *Form:* Form 4136. *Description:* Internal Revenue Code section 34 allows a credit for Federal excise tax for certain fuel uses. This form is used to figure the amount of the income tax credit. The data is used to verify the validity of the claim for the type of nontaxable or exempt use. *Respondents:* Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 9,822,578 hours. *OMB Number:* 1545-1569. *Type of Review:* Revision. *Title:* Welfare-to-Work Credit. *Form:* Form 8861. *Description:* Section 51A of the Internal Revenue code allows employers an income tax credit of 35% of the first $10,000 of first-year wages and 50% of the first $10,000 of second-year wages paid to long-term family assistance recipients. The credit is part of the general business credit. *Respondents:* Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 1,769 hours. *OMB Number:* 1545-1983. *Type of Review:* Extension. *Title:* Qualified Railroad Track Maintenance Credit. *Form:* Form 8900. *Description:* Form 8900, Qualified Railroad Track Maintenance Credit, was developed to carry out the provisions of new Code section 45G. This new section was added by section 245 of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-357). The new form provides a means for the eligible taxpayers to compute the amount of credit. *Respondents:* Business or other for-profit; *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 2,684 hours. *OMB Number:* 1545-1825. *Type of Review:* Extension. *Title:* Improving the Accuracy of EITC Prepared Returns. *Form:* Form 13388. *Description:* This postcard will be sent to tax preparers that submitted a mixture of paper and electronic returns for their clients. The postcard provides these professionals an opportunity to acquire additional information about the EITC. It is part of a brochure to encourage 100% filing of EITC returns. *Respondents:* Business or other for-profit; Farms. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 150 hours. *OMB Number:* 1545-1999. *Type of Review:* Extension. *Title:* Volunteer Return Preparation Program Hurricane Katrina Interview and Intake Sheet. *Form:* Form 13614K. *Description:* The complete form is used by screeners, preparers, or others involved in the return preparation process to more accurately complete tax returns of Katrina impacted taxpayers having low to moderate incomes. The persons need assistance having their returns prepared so they can fully comply with the law. The form can also be used to assist the taxpayer after their appointment. *Respondents:* Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 105,605 hours. *OMB Number:* 1545-1998. *Type of Review:* Extension. *Title:* Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit. *Form:* Form 8910. *Description:* Taxpayers will file Form 8910 to claim the credit for certain alternative motor vehicles placed in service after 2005. *Respondents:* Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Farms; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 65,861 hours. *OMB Number:* 1545-1060. *Type of Review:* Revision. *Title:* Application for Withholding for Dispositions by Foreign Persons of U.S. Real Property Interests. *Form:* Form 8288-B. *Description:* Form 8288-B is used to apply for a withholding certificate from IRS to reduce or eliminate the withholding required by section 1445. *Respondents:* Businesses or other for-profit institutions, Individuals or households. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 29,256 hours. *Clearance Officer:* Glenn P. Kirkland, Internal Revenue Service, Room 6516, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224.

(202)622-3428. *OMB Reviewer:* Alexander T. Hunt, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503.

(202)395-7316. Robert Dahl, Treasury PRA Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E6-9855 Filed 6-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4830-01-P 71 120 Thursday, June 22, 2006 CORRECTIONS Bob DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security 15 CFR Part 774 [Docket No. 060228055-6055-01] RIN 0694-AD62 Implementation of Unilateral Chemical/Biological

(CB)Controls on Certain Biological Agents and Toxins; Clarification of Controls on Medical Products Containing Certain Toxins on the Australia Group

(AG)Common Control Lists; Additions to the List of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention

(CWC)Correction In rule document E6-8995 beginning on page 33614 in the issue of Monday, June 12, 2006, make the following correction: **Supplement No. 1 to Part 774 [Corrected]** On page 33621, in Supplement No. 1 to Part 774, the table is corrected in part to read as follows: Control(s) Country chart * * * * * * * NS applies to “technology” for items controlled by 1A004 NS Column 2. MT applies to “technology” for items controlled by 1A101, 1B001, 1B101, 1B102, 1B115 to 1B119, 1C001, 1C007, 1C011, 1C101, 1C102, 1C107, 1C111, 1C116, 1C117, or 1C118 for MT reasons MT Column 1. * * * * * * * [FR Doc. Z6-8995 Filed 6-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1505-01-D 71 120 Thursday, June 22, 2006 Rules and Regulations Part II Department of Housing and Urban Development 24 CFR Part 203 Debenture Interest Payment Changes; Final Rule DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT 24 CFR Part 203 [Docket No. FR-4945-F-01] RIN 2502-AI41 Debenture Interest Payment Changes AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing Commissioner, HUD. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule makes conforming revisions to the regulations under the single family mortgage insurance program with respect to the payment of interest at the debenture rate for mortgage insurance claims. The revisions implement a recent statutory amendment to the National Housing Act that provides for a mandatory change in the calculation of all debenture interest on mortgage insurance claims paid in cash. The statutory change mandates that, when paying insurance claims in cash, debenture interest rates for such claims must be the monthly average yield, for the month in which the default on the mortgage occurred, on United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a constant maturity of 10 years. DATES: *Effective Date:* July 24, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leslie Bromer, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Single Family Housing, Office of Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Room 9172, Washington, DC 20410-8000; telephone

(202)708-1672 (this is not a toll-free number). Hearing- and speech-impaired persons may access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay Service at

(800)877-8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Section 224 of the National Housing Act

(NHA)(12 U.S.C. 1710) provides for the debenture interest rate to be used in the payment of Federal Housing Administration

(FHA)single family mortgage insurance claims upon default of the mortgage. Before the recent amendment to section 224 of the NHA by section 215 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (Pub. L. 108-199, approved January 23, 2004), section 224 provided that debentures issued under any section of the NHA were to bear interest at the rate in effect on the date the mortgage was endorsed for insurance (or the rate that was in effect on the issue date of the commitment to insure the loan or mortgage; such a rate is no longer used in single family programs). As amended by section 215 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, section 224 of the NHA now provides in pertinent part that the debenture interest rate for purposes of calculating an insurance claim paid in cash on a mortgage insured under section 203 or 234 of the NHA and endorsed after January 23, 2004, “shall be the monthly average yield, for the month in which the default on the mortgage occurred, on United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a constant maturity of 10 years.” II. This Final Rule This final rule amends the single family mortgage insurance regulations under 24 CFR part 203 to conform them to section 215 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004. As noted above, section 224 of the NHA now provides that the debenture interest rate for purposes of calculating an insurance claim paid in cash on a mortgage insured under section 203 or 234 of the NHA and endorsed after January 23, 2004, “shall be the monthly average yield, for the month in which the default on the mortgage occurred, on United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a constant maturity of 10 years.” HUD is codifying this provision by adding new §§ 203.405(b) and 203.479(b) that track section 224 of the NHA, as amended. Specifically, these new sections state that for mortgages endorsed for insurance after January 23, 2004, the debenture interest rate for insurance claims paid in cash “shall be the monthly average yield, for the month in which the default on the mortgage occurred, on United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a constant maturity of 10 years.” This final rule also makes several conforming changes to HUD's single family mortgage insurance regulations to ensure that they reflect HUD's statutory authority and that they accurately describe for the public the procedure by which HUD will determine the debenture interest rate for conveyance claims, non-conveyance claims, assignment claims, and rehabilitation loan claims. These conforming changes are described below. First, HUD is amending § 203.402 that lists the items included in the payment of insurance benefits paid in connection with conveyance claims, claims without conveyance of title, and pre-foreclosure sale claims. Specifically, § 203.402(k)(1) is amended to provide that insurance claims for properties conveyed and endorsed for insurance after January 23, 2004, shall include the debenture interest rate as it is set forth in the new § 203.405(b), which, as already described, codifies the debenture rate authorized by section 224 of the NHA, as amended. Furthermore, for properties endorsed for insurance after January 23, 2004, amended § 203.402(k)(2) and (k)(3) also implement the new debenture interest rate as it applies to the payment of insurance benefits for property without conveyance of title and to the payment for insurance benefits following a pre-foreclosure sale, respectively. The second conforming change that HUD is making is to the regulation describing the amount of payment for assigned mortgages. Specifically, sections 203.404 and 203.478(a)(5) are amended to provide that upon an acceptable mortgage assignment, the Federal Housing Commissioner shall pay the unpaid principal balance of the loan at the time of assignment and an amount determined by, in part, an amount equivalent to the new debenture interest rate as it is set forth in section 224 of the NHA, as amended. III. Findings and Certifications Justification for Final Rulemaking In general, HUD publishes a rule for public comment before issuing a rule for effect, in accordance with its own regulations on rulemaking at 24 CFR part 10. Part 10, however, does provide in § 10.1 for exceptions from that general rule where HUD finds good cause to omit advance notice and public participation. The good cause requirement is satisfied when the prior public procedure is “impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.” HUD finds that good cause exists to publish this final rule for effect without first soliciting public comment, as public comment would be unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. This final rule implements a statutory amendment to the National Housing Act that sets forth a mandatory change in the calculation of all debenture interest on mortgage insurance claims paid in cash. This amendment is prescriptive and allows no agency discretion in promulgating implementing regulations. The required revisions to the regulations incorporate the statutory amendment and do not make additional substantive changes. HUD must revise the single family mortgage insurance regulations in order to incorporate this amendment and to ensure that the regulations accurately reflect the statutory method of calculating debenture interest rates. Since the statutory amendment is self-implementing, public comment is unnecessary. HUD is only updating its existing regulations to conform to the amendment. Accordingly, HUD believes that it is in the public interest to publish this final rule to make the statutory amendment effective as soon as possible and that prior public procedure is unnecessary. Environmental Impact This rule revises existing regulations to conform the regulations to a recent statutory change. The rule does not direct, provide for assistance or loan and mortgage insurance for, or otherwise govern or regulate, real property acquisition, disposition, leasing, rehabilitation, alteration, demolition, or new construction, or establish, revise, or provide for standards for construction or construction materials, manufactured housing, or occupancy. Therefore, in accordance with 24 CFR 50.19(c)(1), this rule is categorically excluded from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 *et seq.* ). Unfunded Mandates Reform Act The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) establishes requirements for federal agencies to assess the effects of their regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal governments, and on the private sector. This rule does not impose a federal mandate on any State, local, or tribal government, nor on the private sector, within the meaning of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. Regulatory Flexibility Act The Secretary, in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), has reviewed this rule before publication and by approving it certifies that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. There are no anti-competitive discriminatory aspects of the rule with regard to small entities, and there are no unusual procedures that would need to be complied with by small entities. Executive Order 13132, Federalism Executive Order 13132 (entitled “Federalism”) prohibits an agency from publishing any rule that has federalism implications if the rule either imposes substantial direct compliance costs on state and local governments and is not required by statute, or the rule preempts state law, unless the agency meets the consultation and funding requirements of section 6 of the Executive Order. This rule does not have federalism implications and does not impose substantial direct compliance costs on state and local governments nor preempt state law within the meaning of the Executive Order. List of Subjects in 24 CFR Part 203 Hawaiian Natives, Home improvement, Indians—lands, Loan programs—housing and community development, Mortgage insurance, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Solar energy. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 14.117. Accordingly, HUD amends 24 CFR part 203 to read as follows: PART 203—SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE INSURANCE 1. The authority citation for part 203 continues to read as follows: Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1709, 1710, 1715b, and 1715u; 42 U.S.C. 3535(d) 2. Revise § 203.402, paragraph

(k)to read as follows: § 203.402 Items included in payment-conveyed and nonconveyed properties. (k)(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (k)(1)(i) and

(ii)of this section, for properties conveyed to the Secretary and endorsed for insurance on or before January 23, 2004, an amount equivalent to the debenture interest that would have been earned, as of the date such payment is made, on the portion of the insurance benefits paid in cash, if such portion had been paid in debentures, and for properties conveyed to the Secretary and endorsed for insurance after January 23, 2004, debenture interest at the rate specified in § 203.405(b) from the date specified in § 203.410, as applicable, to the date of claim payment, on the portion of the insurance benefits paid in cash.

(i)When the mortgagee fails to meet any one of the applicable requirements of §§ 203.355, 203.356(b), 203.359, 203.360, 203.365, 203.606(b)(l), or 203.366 within the specified time and in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary (or within such further time as the Secretary may approve in writing), the interest allowance in such cash payment shall be computed only to the date on which the particular required action should have been taken or to which it was extended;

(ii)When the mortgagee fails to meet the requirements of § 203.356(a) within the specified time and in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary (or within such further time as the Secretary may specify in writing), the interest allowance in such cash payment shall be computed to a date set administratively by the Secretary. (2)(i) Where a claim for insurance benefits is being paid without conveyance of title to the Commissioner in accordance with § 203.368 and was endorsed for insurance on or before January 23, 2004, an amount equivalent to the sum of:

(A)The debenture interest that would have been earned, as of the date the mortgagee or a party other than the mortgagee acquires good marketable title to the mortgaged property, on an amount equal to the amount by which an insurance claim determined in accordance with § 203.401(a) exceeds the amount of the actual claim being paid in debentures; plus

(B)The debenture interest that would have been earned from the date the mortgagee or a party other than the mortgagee acquires good marketable title to the mortgaged property to the date when payment of the claim is made, on the portion of the insurance benefits paid in cash if such portion had been paid in debentures, except that if the mortgagee fails to meet any of the applicable requirements of §§ 203.355, 203.356, and 203.368(i)(3) and

(5)within the specified time and in a manner satisfactory to the Commissioner (or within such further time as the Commissioner may approve in writing), the interest allowance in such cash payment shall be computed only to the date on which the particular required action should have been taken or to which it was extended.

(ii)Where a claim for insurance benefits is being paid without conveyance of title to the Commissioner in accordance with § 203.368 and was endorsed for insurance after January 23, 2004, an amount equivalent to the sum of:

(A)Debenture interest at the rate specified in § 203.405(b) from the date specified in § 203.410, as applicable, to the date that the mortgagee or a party other than the mortgagee acquires good marketable title to the mortgaged property, on an amount equal to the amount by which an insurance claim determined in accordance with § 203.401(a) exceeds the amount of the actual claim being paid in debentures; plus

(B)Debenture interest at the rate specified in § 203.405(b) from the date the mortgagee or a person other than the mortgagee acquires good marketable title to the mortgaged property to the date when payment of the claim is made, on the portion of the insurance benefits paid in cash, except that if the mortgagee fails to meet any of the applicable requirements of §§ 203.355, 203.356, and 203.368(i)(3) and

(5)of this chapter within the specified time and in a manner satisfactory to the Commissioner (or within such further time as the Commissioner may approve in writing), the interest allowance in such cash payment shall be computed only to the date on which the particular required action should have been taken or to which it was extended. (3)(i) Where a claim for insurance benefits is being paid following a pre-foreclosure sale, without foreclosure or conveyance to the Commissioner in accordance with § 203.370, and the mortgage was endorsed for insurance on or before January 23, 2004, an amount equivalent to the sum of:

(A)The debenture interest that would have been earned, as of the date of the closing of the pre-foreclosure sale on an amount equal to the amount by which an insurance claim determined in accordance with § 203.401(a) exceeds the amount of the actual claim being paid in debentures; plus

(B)The debenture interest that would have been earned, from the date of the closing of the pre-foreclosure sale to the date when payment of the claim is made, on the portion of the insurance benefits paid in cash, if such portion had been paid in debentures; except that if the mortgagee fails to meet any of the applicable requirements of § 203.365 within the specified time and in a manner satisfactory to the Commissioner (or within such further time as the Commissioner may approve in writing), the interest allowance in such cash payment shall be computed only to the date on which the particular required action should have been taken or to which it was extended.

(ii)Where a claim for insurance benefits is being paid following a pre-foreclosure sale, without foreclosure or conveyance to the Commissioner, in accordance with § 203.370, and the mortgage was endorsed for insurance after January 23, 2004, an amount equivalent to the sum of:

(A)Debenture interest at the rate specified in § 203.405(b) from the date specified in § 203.410, as applicable, to the date of the closing of the pre-foreclosure sale, on an amount equal to the amount by which an insurance claim determined in accordance with § 203.401(a) exceeds the amount of the actual claim being paid in debentures; plus

(B)Debenture interest at the rate specified in § 203.405(b) from the date of the closing of the pre-foreclosure sale to the date when the payment of the claim is made, on the portion of the insurance benefits paid in cash, except that if the mortgagee fails to meet any of the applicable requirements of § 203.365 within the specified time and in a manner satisfactory to the Commissioner (or within such further time as the Commissioner may approve in writing), the interest allowance in such cash payment shall be computed only to the date on which the particular required action should have been taken or to which it was extended. 3. Revise § 203.404, paragraph (a)(4) to read as follows: § 203.404 Amount of payment-assigned mortgages. (a)(4) For mortgages endorsed for insurance on or before January 23, 2004, an amount equivalent to the debenture interest that would have been earned on the portion of the insurance benefits paid in cash, as of the date such payment is made, and for mortgages endorsed for insurance after January 23, 2004, debenture interest at the rate specified in § 203.405(b), from the date specified in § 203.410 to the date of claim payment on the portion of the insurance benefits paid in cash, except that when the mortgagee fails to meet any one of the requirements of §§ 203.350(e), 203.351, and 203.353 of this chapter within the specified time and in a manner satisfactory to the Commissioner (or within such further time as the Commissioner may approve in writing), the interest allowance in such cash payment shall be computed only to the date on which the particular required action should have been taken or to which it was extended. 4. Revise § 203.405 to read as follows: § 203.405 Debenture interest rate.

(a)Debentures shall bear interest from the date of issue, payable semiannually on the first day of January and the first day of July of each year at the rate in effect as of the day the commitment was issued, or as of the date the mortgage was endorsed for insurance, whichever rate is higher. For applications involving mortgages originated under the single family Direct Endorsement program, debentures shall bear interest from the date of issue, payable semiannually on the first day of January and on the first day of July of each year at the rate in effect as of the date the mortgage was endorsed for insurance;

(b)For mortgages endorsed for insurance after January 23, 2004, if an insurance claim is paid in cash, the debenture interest rate for purposes of calculating such a claim shall be the monthly average yield, for the month in which the default on the mortgage occurred, on United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a constant maturity of 10 years. 5. Revise § 203.478, paragraph (a)(5) to read as follows: § 203.478 Payment of insurance benefits.

(a)* * * (5)(i) If payment is made in cash on a mortgage endorsed for insurance on or before January 23, 2004, an amount equivalent to the debenture interest that would have been earned, as of the date insurance settlement occurs, except that where the lender fails to meet any one of the requirements of §§ 203.476 and 203.477 and such failure continues for more than 30 days (or such further time as the Commissioner may approve in writing), the debenture interest shall be computed for 30 days or the extended period;

(ii)If payment is made in cash on a mortgage endorsed for insurance after January 23, 2004, debenture interest at the rate specified in § 203.479 from the date specified in § 203.486 to the date insurance settlement occurs, except that where the lender fails to meet any one of the requirements of §§ 203.476 and 203.477 and such failure continues for more than 30 days (or such further time as the Commissioner may approve in writing), the debenture interest shall be computed for 30 days or the extended period. 6. Revise § 203.479 to read as follows: § 203.479 Debenture interest rate.

(a)Debentures shall bear interest from the date of issue, payable semiannually on the first day of January and on the first day of July every year at the rate in effect as of the date the commitment was issued, or as of the date the loan was endorsed for insurance, whichever rate is higher. The applicable rates of interest will be published twice each year as a notice in the **Federal Register** .

(b)For mortgages endorsed for insurance after January 23, 2004, if an insurance claim is paid in cash, the debenture interest rate for purposes of calculating such a claim shall be the monthly average yield, for the month in which the default on the mortgage occurred, on United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a constant maturity of 10 years. Dated: June 14, 2006. Brian D. Montgomery, Assistant Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing Commissioner. [FR Doc. 06-5577 Filed 6-21-06; 8:45 am]

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