[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 31549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-2754]



[[Page 31549]]

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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 17a-22; SEC File No. 270-202; OMB Control No. 3235-0196.

    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.
     Rule 17a-22 Supplemental Material of Registered Clearing 
Agencies Rule 17a-22 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Exchange Act'') \1\ requires all registered clearing agencies to 
file with the Commission three copies of all materials they issue or 
make generally available to their participants or other entities with 
whom they have a significant relationship. The filings with the 
Commission must be made within ten days after the materials are issued, 
and when the Commission is not the appropriate regulatory agency, the 
clearing agency must file one copy of the material with its appropriate 
regulatory agency. The Commission is responsible for overseeing 
clearing agencies and uses the information filed pursuant to Rule 17a-
22 to determine whether a clearing agency is implementing procedural or 
policy changes. The information filed aides the Commission in 
determining whether such changes are consistent with the purposes of 
Section 17A of the Exchange Act. Also, the Commission uses the 
information to determine whether a clearing agency has changed its 
rules without reporting the actual or prospective change to the 
Commission as required under Section 19(b) of the Exchange Act.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.
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    The respondents to Rule 17a-22 generally are registered clearing 
agencies. The frequency of filings made by clearing agencies pursuant 
to Rule 17a-22 varies, but on average there are approximately 200 
filings per year per clearing agency. Because the filings consist of 
materials that have been prepared for widespread distribution, the 
additional cost to the clearing agencies associated with submitting 
copies to the Commission is relatively small. The Commission staff 
estimates that the cost of compliance with Rule 17a-22 to all 
registered clearing agencies is approximately $3,000. This represents 
one dollar per filing in postage, or a total of $2,000. The remaining 
$1,000 is the estimated cost of additional printing, envelopes, and 
other administrative expenses.
    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 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, 450 5th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549.

    Dated: May 13, 2005.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5-2754 Filed 5-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P