[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 4, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 17685]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8224]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Request for Public Comment

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From Securities and Exchange 
Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, Washington, DC 
20549

Extension:
    Rule 19b-4 and Form 19b-4, SEC File No. 270-38, OMB Control No. 
3235-0045

    Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``Commission'') is soliciting comments on the collection of 
information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit this 
existing collection of information to the Office of Management and 
Budget for extension and approval.
    Section 19(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') (15 
U.S.C. 78s(b)) requires each self-regulatory organization (``SRO'') to 
file with the Commission copies of any proposed rule, or any proposed 
change in, addition to, or deletion from the rules of such SRO. Rule 
19b-4 (17 CFR 240.19b-4) implements the requirements of Section 19(b) 
by requiring the SROs to file their proposed rule changes on Form 19b-4 
and by clarifying which actions taken by SROs are deemed proposed rule 
changes and so must be filed pursuant to Section 19(b).
    The collection of information is designed to provide the Commission 
with the information necessary to determine, as required by the Act, 
whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act and the 
rules thereunder. The information is used to determine if the proposed 
rule change should be approved or if proceedings should be instituted 
to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved.
    The respondents to the collection of information are self-
regulatory organizations (as defined by the Act), including national 
securities exchanges, national securities associations, registered 
clearing agencies and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board.
    Twenty-four respondents file an average total of 500 responses per 
year, which corresponds to an estimated annual response burden of 
17,500 hours. At an average cost per response of $2,175, the resultant 
total related cost of compliance for these respondents is $1,087,500 
per year (500 responses  x  $2,175/response = $1,087,500).
    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 shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be 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.
    Direct your written comments to Michael E. Bartell, Associate 
Executive Director, Office of Information Technology, Securities and 
Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549.

    Dated: March 29, 2000.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-8224 Filed 4-3-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-M