[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 136 (Wednesday, July 16, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 38146-38147] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-18692] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Proposed Collection; Comment Request Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, Washington, DC 20549. Extension: Form 2-E and Rule 609, SEC File No. 270-222, OMB Control No. 3235-0233; Rule 6c-7, SEC File No. 270-269, OMB Control No. 3235- 0276; and Rule 11a-2, SEC File No. 270-267, OMB Control No. 3235-0272. Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities And Exchange Commission (``Commission'') is soliciting comments on the collections of information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit these existing collections of information to the Office of Management and Budget for extension and approval. Form 2-E is used, pursuant to Rule 609 of Regulation E under the Securities Act of 1933, by small business investment companies or business development companies engaged in limited offerings of securities to report semi-annually the progress of an offering, including the number of shares sold. The form solicits information such as the dates an offering has commenced and completed, the number of shares sold and still being offered, amounts received in the offering, and expenses and underwriting discounts incurred in the offering. This information assists the Commission staff in determining whether the issuer has stayed within the limits of an exemptive offering. [[Page 38147]] Form 2-E must be filed semi-annually during an offering and as a final report at the completion of the offering. Less frequent filing would not allow the Commission to monitor the progress of the limited offering in order to ensure that the issuer was not attempting to avoid the normal registration provisions of the securities laws. There has been approximately one filing on form 2-E under rule 609 of regulation E during each of the last 2 years. On average, approximately one respondent spend four hours collecting information, preparing, and filing a form 2-E for a total amount reporting and recordkeeping burden of four hours. Rule 6c-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (``1940 Act'') provides exemption from certain provisions of Sections 22(e) and 27 of the 1940 Act for registered separate accounts offering variable annuity contracts to certain employees of Texas institutions of higher education participating in the Texas Optional Retirement Program. There are approximately 183 registrants governed by Rule 6c-7, with an estimated compliance time of 30 minutes per registrant for a total of 92 annual burden hours. Rule 11a-2 permits certain registered insurance company separate accounts, subject to certain conditions, to make offers to exchange their securities for other investment company securities without obtaining prior Commission approval. There are approximately 550 registrants governed by Rule 11a-2, with an estimated compliance time of 15 minutes per registrant for a total of 138 annual burden hours. The estimate of average burden hours is made solely for the purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act, and is not derived from a comprehensive or even a representative survey or study of the costs of Commission rules and forms. Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted in writing within 60 days of this publication. Please direct your written comments to Michael E. Bartell, Associate Exchange Director, Office of Information Technology, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549. Dated: July 9, 1997. Margaret H. McFarland, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 97-18692 Filed 7-15-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010-01-M