[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 156 (Wednesday, August 13, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 48420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20593]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 U-7D, SEC File No. 270-75, OMB Control No. 3235-0165.
    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 for 
information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit this 
collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget for 
extension and approval.
    Form U-7D is used to file the certificate required by rule 7(D)(5) 
(17 CFR 250.7), under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 
(``Act'') 15 U.S.C. 79 et seq., to establish the exempt status of 
financing entities which own assets leased to electric or gas utility 
companies for the use in the lessee's utility business. Unless it 
claims the exemption authorized by those sections and provides 
sufficient information to meet the statutory tests for the exemption, 
such financing company would meet the statutory definition of electric 
or gas utility company, under Section 2(a)(3) (``electric'') or Section 
2(a)(4) (``gas'') of the Act, and such financing company would 
consequently be subject to regulation under the Act. Without the 
information provided on Form U-7D, the Commission would not have 
adequate access to the data used to establish that the filing company 
meets the requirements for exemption.
    Respondents to the request for information in Form U-7D are 
registered public utility holding companies and their financing 
subsidiaries. Respondents must file a Form U-7D in order to receive 
exempt status. We estimate the average time to prepare the information 
required by Form U-7D at 3 hours per response based on our informal 
questioning selected respondents. Since there are approximately 8 
respondents who file each year, the total annual respondent reporting 
burden is 24 hours at $115 per hour.
    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 Kenneth A. Fogash, Acting 
Associate Executive Director/CIO, Office of Information Technology, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, 
DC 20549.

    Dated: August 6, 2003.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-20593 Filed 8-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-M