[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 154 (Thursday, August 10, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45865-45866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13003]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-54272; File No. SR-CBOE-2006-59]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, 
Incorporated; Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule 
Change and Amendment No. 1 Thereto Relating to Extension of the Options 
Intermarket Linkage Fees Pilot Program

August 3, 2006.
    On June 15, 2006, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated 
(``CBOE'' or ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``Commission''), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 
thereunder,\2\ a proposed rule change to amend its Fees Schedule to 
extend until July 31, 2007 the Options Intermarket Linkage 
(``Linkage'') fee pilot program (``Pilot Program''). The proposed rule 
change was published for comment in the Federal Register on July 6, 
2006.\3\ The Commission received no comments on the proposal. On August 
3, 2006, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule 
change.\4\ This order approves the proposed rule change, as amended, on 
an accelerated basis.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54064 (June 29, 2006), 
71 FR 38438.
    \4\ See infra, at note 6.
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    The Exchange's fees for Principal and Principal Acting as Agent 
orders are operating under the Pilot Program. These Linkage-related 
fees expired on July 31, 2006.\5\ The Exchange proposes to 
retroactively extend from August 1, 2006 through July 31, 2007 the 
Pilot Program.\6\
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    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 52073 (July 20, 
2005), 70 FR 43474 (July 27, 2005) (SR-CBOE-2005-54).
    \6\ In Amendment No. 1, in light of the expiration of the Pilot 
Program, the Exchange modified its proposal to request that the 
Pilot Program be extended retroactively. Amendment No. 1 is a 
technical amendment and is not subject to notice and comment.
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    After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule 
change, as amended, is consistent with the requirements of the Act and 
the rules and regulations applicable thereunder to a national 
securities exchange.\7\ More specifically, the Commission finds that 
the proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act \8\ in general, 
and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) of the Act \9\ in 
particular, in that it is designed to provide for the equitable 
allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among CBOE 
members and other persons using its facilities. The Commission believes 
that: (i) The prospective extension of the Pilot Program will give the 
Exchange and the Commission further opportunity to evaluate whether the 
fees are appropriate; and (ii) the retroactive extension of the Pilot 
Program will permit the pilot to continue on an uninterrupted basis for 
the two days between the expiration of the pilot on July 31, 2006 and 
the date of this approval order.
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    \7\ In approving the proposed rule change, as amended, the 
Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, 
competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
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    The Commission finds good cause, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of 
the Act,\10\ for approving the proposed rule change prior to the 30th 
day after the date of publication of notice thereof in the Federal 
Register. Specifically, the Commission notes that accelerated approval 
of the proposal will allow the Pilot Program to continue without

[[Page 45866]]

interruption as the Exchange and the Commission further consider the 
appropriateness of Linkage fees.
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    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
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    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act,\11\ that the proposed rule change (SR-CBOE-2006-59), as amended, 
is hereby approved on an accelerated basis.
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    \11\ Id.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\12\
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    \12\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Nancy M. Morris,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6-13003 Filed 8-9-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P