[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 75661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-32170]



[[Page 75661]]

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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 17Ad-2(c), (d), and (h); SEC File No. 270-149; OMB 
Control No. 3235-0130.

    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 17Ad-2(c), (d) and (h) Transfer Agent Turnaround, 
Processing and Forwarding Requirements
    Rule 17Ad-2(c), (d), and (h), 17 CFR 240.17Ad-2(c), (d), and (h), 
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, enumerate the requirements 
with which transfer agents must comply to inform the Commission or the 
appropriate regulator of a transfer agent's failure to meet the minimum 
performance standards set by the Commission rule by filing a notice.
    While it is estimated there are 900 transfer agents, approximately 
ten notices pursuant to 17Ad-2(c), (d), and (h) are filed annually. In 
view of (a) the readily available nature of most of the information 
required to be included in the notice (since that information must be 
compiled and retained pursuant to other Commission rules); (b) the 
summary fashion in which such information must be presented in the 
notice (most notices are one page or less in length); and (c) the 
experience of the staff regarding the notices, the Commission staff 
estimates that, on the average, most Notices require approximately one-
half hour to prepare. The Commission staff estimates that transfer 
agents spend an average of five hours per year complying with the rule.
    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 estimates of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on 
respondents; 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 22, 2003.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-32170 Filed 12-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P