[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 143 (Thursday, July 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48682-48683]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-18838]


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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.

Extension

[Rule 17f-2(c), SEC File No. 270-35, OMB Control No. 3235-0029]

    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.
    Rule 17f-2(c) allows persons required to be fingerprinted pursuant 
to section 17(f)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to submit 
their fingerprints through a national securities exchange or a national 
securities association in accordance with a plan submitted to and 
approved by the Commission. Plans have been approved for the American, 
Boston, Chicago, New York, Pacific, and Philadelphia stock exchanges 
and for the National Association of Securities Dealers and the Chicago 
Board Options Exchange.
    It is estimated that 85,000 registered broker-dealers submit 
approximately 275,000 fingerprint cards to exchanges or a registered 
security association on an annual basis. It is approximated that it 
should take 15 minutes to comply with Rule 17f-2(c). The total 
reporting burden is estimated to be 68,750 hours.
    Because the Federal Bureau of Investigation will not accept 
fingerprint

[[Page 48683]]

cards directly from submitting organizations, Commission approval of 
plans from certain exchanges and national securities associations is 
essential to the Congressional goal of fingerprint personnel in the 
security industry. The filing of these plans for review assures users 
and their personnel that fingerprint cards will be handled responsibly 
and with due care for confidentiality.
    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 Executive Director, Office of Information Technology, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20549.

    Dated: July 18, 2002.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-18838 Filed 7-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P