[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 118 (Monday, June 21, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 34408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13966]


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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:
    Form BD/Rule 15b1-1, SEC File No. 270-19, OMB Control No. 3235-
0012

    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.
    Form BD (17 CFR 249.501) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Exchange Act'') is the application form used by firms to apply 
to the Commission for registration as a broker-dealer. Form BD also is 
used by firms other than banks and registered broker-dealers to apply 
to the Commission for registration as a municipal securities dealer or 
a government securities broker-dealer. In addition, Form BD is used to 
change information contained in a previous Form BD filing that becomes 
inaccurate.
    The total annual burden imposed by Form BD is approximately 8,250 
hours, based on approximately 20,600 responses (600 initial filings + 
20,000 amendments). Each initial filing requires approximately 2.75 
hours to complete and each amendment requires approximately 20 minutes 
to complete. There is no annual cost burden.
    The Commission uses the information disclosed by applicants in Form 
BD: (1) To determine whether the applicant meets the standards for 
registration set forth in the provisions of the Exchange Act; (2) to 
develop a central information resource where members of the public may 
obtain relevant, up-to-date information about broker-dealers, municipal 
securities dealers and government securities broker-dealers, and where 
the Commission, other regulators and SROs may obtain information for 
investigatory purposes in connection with securities litigation; and 
(3) to develop statistical information about broker-dealers, municipal 
securities dealers and government securities broker-dealers. Without 
the information disclosed in Form BD, the Commission could not 
effectively implement policy objectives of the Exchange Act with 
respect to its investor protection function.
    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 estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be 
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 R. Corey Booth/ Chief 
Information Officer, Office of Information Technology, Securities and 
Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW. Washington, DC 20549.

    Dated: June 14, 2004.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 04-13966 Filed 6-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P