[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 25, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62495-62496]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17833]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-54621; File No. SR-BSE-2006-43]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Boston Stock Exchange, Inc.; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change 
Relating to Exchange Fees and Charges

October 18, 2006.
    Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on October 6, 2006, the Boston Stock Exchange, Inc. (``BSE'' or 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, 
and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The 
proposed rule change has been filed by the Exchange as establishing or 
changing a due, fee, or other charge under section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of 
the Act,\3\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) thereunder,\4\ which renders the 
proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is 
publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule from 
interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes a change to the Minimum Activity Charge 
(``MAC'') contained in the Fee Schedule for the Boston Options Exchange 
(``BOX''). The Exchange proposes to review the MAC

[[Page 62496]]

across all classes rather than only those assigned to the Market Maker. 
The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web 
site (http://www.bse.com), at the Exchange's Office of the Secretary 
and at the Commission.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements 
concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in 
Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such 
statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to amend the MAC which is contained in the 
Fee Schedule for BOX. Currently, in order to determine if a Market 
Maker has reached its MAC, volume in their assigned classes is charged 
a flat fee, which is then compared to the MAC. In addition, any 
activity outside a Market Maker's appointments is charged a flat fee 
separately. Since trading in classes outside of a Market Maker's 
appointment consumes a similar amount of technological resources as 
those in a Market Maker's assigned volume, the Exchange proposes to 
have this unassigned activity included in the volume accumulation that 
is used to determine if a Market Marker has reached its MAC. This 
proposed rule change would aid BOX in its continuing effort to reduce 
total fees incurred by Participants.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with the 
requirements of section 6(b) of the Act,\5\ in general, and section 
6(b)(4) of the Act,\6\ in particular, in that it provides for the 
equitable allocation of dues, fees and other charges among its members. 
The Exchange believes that it is appropriate to review the MAC across 
all classes rather than only those assigned to the Market Maker, in the 
interest of fair pricing for all Participants.
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    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    The Exchange has neither solicited nor received comments on the 
proposed rule change.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
Commission Action

    The proposed rule change has become effective upon filing pursuant 
to section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act \7\ and subparagraph (f)(2) of 
Rule 19b-4 thereunder \8\ because it changes a due, fee, or other 
charge imposed by the Exchange. At any time within 60 days of the 
filing of such proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily 
abrogate such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such 
action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the 
protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of 
the Act.
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    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
    \8\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
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IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form http://www.sec.gov/rules.sro.shtml); or
     Send an e-mail to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-BSE-2006-43 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File No. SR-BSE-2006-43. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To 
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules.sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, 
all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that 
are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating 
to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, 
other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance 
with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection 
and copying at the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such 
filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the 
principal office of the BSE. All comments received will be posted 
without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying 
information from submissions. You should submit only information that 
you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to 
the file number in the caption above and should be submitted on or 
before November 15, 2006.
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    \9\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\9\
J. Lynn Taylor,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6-17833 Filed 10-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P