[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 15, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7579-7580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3434]


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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

New: Survey on Reciprocal Subpoena Enforcement
SEC File No. 270-479
OMB Control No. 3235-new

    Notice is hereby give that, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``Commission'') is soliciting comments on the collection of 
information

[[Page 7580]]

summarized below. The Commission plans to submit this proposed survey 
to the Office of Management and Budget for approval.
    The survey is called the Securities and Exchange Commission Survey 
on Reciprocal Subpoena Enforcement. The staff created the survey 
pursuant to a Congressional directive in the Securities Litigation 
Uniform Standards Act of 1998 (``1998 Act''). The 1998 Act requires the 
Commission, in consultation with state securities commissions (or 
similar agencies) to ``seek to encourage the adoption of State laws 
providing for reciprocal enforcement by State securities commissions of 
subpoenas issued by another State securities commission* * *'' The 1998 
Act further requires the SEC to submit a report to Congress by November 
2000 which identifies the states that have adopted such laws, describes 
the actions the Commission and the state commissions have taken to 
promote such laws, and identifies any further actions the Commission 
recommends for such purposes.
    The survey seeks information regarding (1) the states' laws 
authorizing providing assistance to other states with subpoenas, (2) 
the states' experiences in seeking assistance from other states with 
their subpoenas, (3) the states' experiences in requesting assistance 
from other states with their subpoenas and (4) each state's proposals 
and suggestions regarding reciprocal subpoena enforcement. The 
Commission will use the information gathered in the survey to write the 
report to Congress.
    The survey will be sent to all of the states, the District of 
Columbia and Puerto Rico. It is estimated that there will be 
approximately 52 respondents to the survey and that each full response 
will take approximately 30 minutes. Thus, the total reporting burden of 
the survey will be about 26 hours. The survey is voluntary and may be 
completed at the option of the recipient. Responses will not be kept 
confidential. An agency may not sponsor, conduct, or require response 
to an information collection unless a currently valid OMB control 
number is displayed.
    Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(B), the Commission solicits 
comments to: (1) Evaluate 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; (ii) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, (iii) enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
(iv) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, 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. Bartrell, 
Associate Executive Director, Office of Information Technology, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 
20549.

    Dated: February 3, 2000.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-3434 Filed 2-14-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-M