[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 242 (Wednesday, December 17, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70321-70322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31115]


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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, 450 
Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549.

Extension

Rule 83, SEC File No. 270-82, OMB Control No. 3235-0181.

    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 the 
existing collection of information to the Office of Management and 
Budget for extension and approval.
    Rule 83, Exemption in the Case of Transactions with Foreign 
Associates, authorizes an exemption from the ``at cost'' standard of 
section 13(b) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (the 
``Act'') for services provided to associated foreign utility companies.
    Rule 83 requires a registered holding company system that wishes to 
avail itself of this exemption from section 13(b) of the Act to submit 
an application, in the form of a declaration, to the Commission. The 
Commission

[[Page 70322]]

will grant the application if, by reason of the lack of any major 
interest of holders of securities offered in the United States in 
servicing arrangements affecting such serviced subsidiaries, such an 
application for exemption is necessary or appropriate in the public 
interest or for the protection of investors.
    Rule 83 does not create a record-keeping burden or retention burden 
on respondents. The rule does, however, contain reporting and filing 
requirements. The Commission has not received any applications 
specifically under rule 83 in the past 3 years. The only rule 83 
related filings were made within the context of larger filings 
concerning other matters. Therefore, we estimate the burden of rule 83 
as zero.
    The estimate of average burden hours is made solely for the purpose 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act and are not derived from a comprehensive 
or even a representative survey or study of the costs of SEC rules and 
forms.
    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 a 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: December 10, 2003.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-31115 Filed 12-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P