[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 26, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 51310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21820]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    Upon written request, copies available from: Securities and 
Exchange Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, 
Washington, DC 20549.

Extension:
    Rule 17f-1(b), SEC File No. 270-28, OMB Control No. 3235-0032.

    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'') has submitted to the Office of Management 
and Budget a request for extension of the previously approved 
collection of information discussed below.
    [sbull] Rule 17f-1(b): Requirements for reporting and inquiry with 
respect to missing, lost, counterfeit, or stolen securities.
    Rule 17f-1(b) requires approximately 26,000 entities in the 
securities industry to register in the Lost and Stolen Securities 
Program (``Program''). Registration fulfills a statutory requirement 
that entities report and inquire about missing, lost, counterfeit, or 
stolen securities. Registration also allows entities in the securities 
industry to gain access to a confidential database that stores 
information for the Program.
    We estimate that 1,000 entities will register in the Program 
annually and that each respondent will register one time. The staff 
estimates that the average number of hours necessary to comply with the 
rule 17f-1(b) is one-half hour. The total burden is therefore 500 hours 
(1,000 times one-half) annually for all respondents. The average cost 
per hour is approximately $50. Therefore, the total cost of compliance 
for each respondent is $25,000 (500 times $50).
    Rule 17f-1(b) is a reporting rule and does not specify a retention 
period. The rule requires a one-time registration for reporting 
institutions. Registering under rule 17f-1(b) is mandatory to obtain 
the benefit of a central database that stores information about 
missing, lost, counterfeit, or stolen securities for the Program. 
Reporting institutions required to register under rule 17f-1(b) will 
not be kept confidential; however, the Program database will be kept 
confidential.
    Please note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it 
displays a currently valid control number.
    General comments regarding the estimated burden hours should be 
directed to the following persons: (i) Desk Officer for the Securities 
and Exchange Commission, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget, Room 10102, New Executive Office 
Building, Washington, DC, 20503; and (ii) Kenneth A. Fogash, Acting 
Associate Executive Director/CIO, Office of Information Technology, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, 
DC 20549. Comments must be submitted to OMB within 30 days of this 
notice.

    Dated: August 19, 2003.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-21820 Filed 8-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P