[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 13, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6747-6768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-2243]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employee Benefits Security Administration

[Application Nos. D-11324, Deutsche Bank AG (DB); D-11383, L-11384 and 
D-11385]


Kern County Electrical Pension Trust (the Pension Plan), Kern 
County Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Trust (the 
Apprenticeship Plan), Kern County Electrical Health and Welfare Plan 
(the Welfare Plan), The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 
Local Union 428 (the Local Union); L-11302 and L-11303, OPET Health 
Care and Life Insurance Plans RM3A and RM5A (Together the H&L Plans); 
and OPET Prescription Drug Plan RRx (Plan RRx; All Three Together, the 
Plans), et al.; Proposed Exemptions: Involving Deutsche Bank, Kern 
County and OPET Health Care

AGENCY: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of proposed exemptions.

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SUMMARY: This document contains notices of pendency before the 
Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from 
certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code).

Written Comments and Hearing Requests

    All interested persons are invited to submit written comments or 
requests for a hearing on the pending exemptions, unless otherwise 
stated in the Notice of Proposed Exemption, within 45 days from the 
date of publication of this Federal Register Notice. Comments and 
requests for a hearing should state: (1) The name, address, and 
telephone number of the person making the comment or request, and (2) 
the nature of the person's interest in the exemption and the manner in 
which the person would be adversely affected by the exemption. A 
request for a hearing must also state the issues to be addressed and 
include a general description of the evidence to be presented at the 
hearing.

ADDRESSES: All written comments and requests for a hearing (at least 
three copies) should be sent to the Employee Benefits Security 
Administration (EBSA), Office of Exemption Determinations, Room N-5649, 
U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20210. Attention: Application No. ------ , stated in each Notice of 
Proposed Exemption. Interested persons are also invited to submit 
comments and/or hearing requests to EBSA via e-mail or FAX. Any such 
comments or requests should be sent either by e-mail to: 
[email protected], or by FAX to (202) 219-0204 by the end of the 
scheduled comment period. The applications for exemption and the 
comments received will be available for public inspection in the Public 
Documents Room of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Room N-1513, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20210.

Notice to Interested Persons

    Notice of the proposed exemptions will be provided to all 
interested persons in the manner agreed upon by the applicant and the 
Department within 15 days of the date of publication in the Federal 
Register. Such notice shall include a copy of the notice of proposed 
exemption as published in the Federal Register and shall inform 
interested persons of their right to comment and to request a hearing 
(where appropriate).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed exemptions were requested in 
applications filed pursuant to section 408(a) of the Act and/or section 
4975(c)(2) of the Code, and in accordance with procedures set forth in 
29 CFR part 2570, subpart B (55 FR 32836, 32847, August 10, 1990). 
Effective December 31, 1978, section 102 of Reorganization Plan No. 4 
of 1978, 5 U.S.C. App. 1 (1996), transferred the authority of the 
Secretary of the Treasury to issue exemptions of the type requested to 
the Secretary of Labor.

[[Page 6748]]

    Therefore, these notices of proposed exemption are issued solely by 
the Department.
    The applications contain representations with regard to the 
proposed exemptions which are summarized below. Interested persons are 
referred to the applications on file with the Department for a complete 
statement of the facts and representations.

Deutsche Bank AG (DB), Located in Germany, With Affiliates in New York, 
New York and Other Locations

[Application No. D-11324]

Proposed Exemption

    Under the authority of section 408(a) of the Employee Retirement 
Income Security Act of 1974 (the Act) and section 4975(c)(2) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code) and in accordance with the 
procedures set forth in 29 CFR part 2570, subpart B (55 FR 32836, 
32847, August 10, 1990), the Department of Labor (the Department) is 
considering granting an exemption to DB and its affiliates (the 
Applicants) which will supersede Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2003-
24 (PTE 2003-24) (68 FR 48637, August 14, 2003, as amended, 68 FR 
55993, September 29, 2003).\1\
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    \1\ For a discussion of how this proposed exemption will affect 
other applicants that are entitled to relief under PTE 2003-24, see 
the discussion in paragraph number 4 in the Summary of Facts and 
Representations of this proposed exemption.
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Section I--Transactions
    If the proposed exemption is granted, the restrictions of section 
406 of the Act and the sanctions resulting from the application of 
section 4975 of the Code, by reason of section 4975(c)(1)(A) through 
(F) of the Code, shall not apply:
    (a) To the purchase of certain securities (the Securities), as 
defined, below in section III(h), by an asset management affiliate of 
DB, as ``affiliate'' is defined, below, in section III(c), from any 
person other than such asset management affiliate of DB or any 
affiliate thereof, during the existence of an underwriting or selling 
syndicate with respect to such Securities, where a broker-dealer 
affiliated with DB (the Affiliated Broker-Dealer), as defined, below, 
in section III(b), is a manager or member of such syndicate and the 
asset management affiliate of DB purchases such Securities, as a 
fiduciary:
    (1) On behalf of an employee benefit plan or employee benefit plans 
(Client Plan(s)), as defined, below, in section III(e) and/or on behalf 
of a Master Trust or Master Trusts (Master Trust(s)), as defined, 
below, in section III(o); or
    (2) On behalf of Client Plans, Master Trusts, and/or In-House 
Plans, as defined, below, in section III(q), which are invested in a 
pooled fund or in pooled funds (Pooled Fund(s)), as defined, below, in 
section III(f); or
    (3) On behalf of Client Plans, Master Trusts, and/or In-House Plans 
which are invested in a fund or in funds (Advised Fund(s)), as defined, 
below, in section III(a); provided that the conditions as set forth, 
below, in section II, are satisfied. (An affiliated underwriter 
transaction (AUT)); and/or
    (b) to the purchase of Securities by an asset management affiliate 
of DB from any person other than such asset management affiliate of DB 
or any affiliate thereof, where a trustee affiliated with DB (the 
Affiliated Trustee), as defined, below, in section III(l), serves as a 
trustee of a trust that issued the Securities (whether or not such 
Securities are debt securities) or serves as an indenture trustee of 
Securities that are debt securities and where the asset management 
affiliate of DB purchases such Securities:
    (1) On behalf of a Client Plan or Client Plans and/or on behalf of 
a Master Trust or Master Trusts; or
    (2) On behalf of Client Plans, Master Trusts, and/or In-House Plans 
which are invested in a Pooled Fund or in Pooled Funds; or
    (3) On behalf of Client Plans, Master Trusts, and/or In-House Plans 
which are invested in an Advised Fund or in Advised Funds; provided 
that the conditions as set forth, below, in section II, are satisfied 
(an affiliated trustee transaction (ATT)).\2\
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    \2\ For purposes of this proposed exemption, an In-House Plan 
may engage in AUT's and ATT's only through investment in a Pooled 
Fund or an Advised Fund.
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Section II--Conditions
    The proposed exemption is conditioned upon adherence to the 
material facts and representations described herein and upon 
satisfaction of the following requirements:
    (a)(1) The Securities to be purchased are either--
    (i) Part of an issue registered under the Securities Act of 1933 
(the 1933 Act) (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.). If the Securities to be 
purchased are part of an issue that is exempt from such registration 
requirement, such Securities:
    (A) Are issued or guaranteed by the United States or by any person 
controlled or supervised by and acting as an instrumentality of the 
United States pursuant to authority granted by the Congress of the 
United States,
    (B) Are issued by a bank,
    (C) Are exempt from such registration requirement pursuant to a 
Federal statute other than the 1933 Act, or
    (D) Are the subject of a distribution and are of a class which is 
required to be registered under section 12 of the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934 (the 1934 Act) (15 U.S.C. 781), and are issued by an issuer 
that has been subject to the reporting requirements of section 13 of 
the 1934 Act (15 U.S.C. 78m) for a period of at least ninety (90) days 
immediately preceding the sale of such Securities and that has filed 
all reports required to be filed thereunder with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission (SEC) during the preceding twelve (12) months; or
    (ii) Part of an issue that is an Eligible Rule 144A Offering, as 
defined in SEC Rule 10f-3 (17 CFR 270.10f-3(a)(4)). Where the Eligible 
Rule 144A Offering of the Securities is of equity securities, the 
offering syndicate shall obtain a legal opinion regarding the adequacy 
of the disclosure in the offering memorandum;
    (2) The Securities to be purchased are purchased prior to the end 
of the first day on which any sales are made, pursuant to that 
offering, at a price that is not more than the price paid by each other 
purchaser of the Securities in that offering or in any concurrent 
offering of the Securities, except that--
    (i) If such Securities are offered for subscription upon exercise 
of rights, they may be purchased on or before the fourth day preceding 
the day on which the rights offering terminates; or
    (ii) If such Securities are debt securities, they may be purchased 
at a price that is not more than the price paid by each other purchaser 
of the Securities in that offering or in any concurrent offering of the 
Securities and may be purchased on a day subsequent to the end of the 
first day on which any sales are made, pursuant to that offering, 
provided that the interest rates, as of the date of such purchase, on 
comparable debt securities offered to the public subsequent to the end 
of the first day on which any sales are made and prior to the purchase 
date are less than the interest rate of the debt Securities being 
purchased; and
    (3) The Securities to be purchased are offered pursuant to an 
underwriting or selling agreement under which the members of the 
syndicate are committed to purchase all of the Securities being 
offered, except if--
    (i) Such Securities are purchased by others pursuant to a rights 
offering; or
    (ii) Such Securities are offered pursuant to an over-allotment 
option.

[[Page 6749]]

    (b) The issuer of the Securities to be purchased pursuant to this 
exemption must have been in continuous operation for not less than 
three years, including the operation of any predecessors, unless the 
Securities to be purchased--
    (1) Are non-convertible debt securities rated in one of the four 
highest rating categories by Standard & Poor's Rating Services, Moody's 
Investors Service, Inc., FitchRatings, Inc., Dominion Bond Rating 
Service Limited, Dominion Bond Rating Service, Inc., or any successors 
thereto (collectively, the Rating Organizations); provided that none of 
the Rating Organizations rates such securities in a category lower than 
the fourth highest rating category; or
    (2) Are debt securities issued or fully guaranteed by the United 
States or by any person controlled or supervised by and acting as an 
instrumentality of the United States pursuant to authority granted by 
the Congress of the United States; or
    (3) Are debt securities which are fully guaranteed by a person (the 
Guarantor) that has been in continuous operation for not less than 
three years, including the operation of any predecessors, provided that 
such Guarantor has issued other securities registered under the 1933 
Act; or if such Guarantor has issued other securities which are exempt 
from such registration requirement, such Guarantor has been in 
continuous operation for not less than three years, including the 
operation of any predecessors, and such Guarantor:
    (a) Is a bank; or
    (b) Is an issuer of securities which are exempt from such 
registration requirement, pursuant to a Federal statute other than the 
1933 Act; or
    (c) Is an issuer of securities that are the subject of a 
distribution and are of a class which is required to be registered 
under section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 1934 Act) 
(15 U.S.C. 781), and are issued by an issuer that has been subject to 
the reporting requirements of section 13 of the 1934 Act (15 U.S.C. 
78m) for a period of at least ninety (90) days immediately preceding 
the sale of such securities and that has filed all reports required to 
be filed thereunder with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 
during the preceding twelve (12) months.
    (c) The aggregate amount of Securities of an issue purchased, 
pursuant to this exemption, by the asset management affiliate of DB 
with: (i) The assets of all Client Plans and all Master Trusts; and 
(ii) the assets, calculated on a pro-rata basis, of all Client Plans, 
Master Trusts, and In-House Plans investing in Pooled Funds managed by 
the asset management affiliate of DB and investing in Advised Funds; 
and (iii) the assets of plans to which the asset management affiliate 
of DB renders investment advice within the meaning of 29 CFR 2510.3-
21(c)) does not exceed:
    (1) 10 percent (10%) of the total amount of such Securities being 
offered in an issue, if such Securities are equity securities;
    (2) 35 percent (35%) of the total amount of such Securities being 
offered in an issue, if such Securities are debt securities rated in 
one of the four highest rating categories by at least one of the Rating 
Organizations; provided that none of the Rating Organizations rates 
such Securities in a category lower than the fourth highest rating 
category; or
    (3) 25 percent (25%) of the total amount of such Securities being 
offered in an issue, if such Securities are debt securities rated in 
the fifth or sixth highest rating categories by at least one of the 
Rating Organizations; provided that none of the Rating Organizations 
rates such Securities in a category lower than the sixth highest rating 
category; and
    (4) The assets of any single Client Plan, any Master Trust (and the 
assets of any Client Plans, any Master Trusts and any In-House Plans 
investing in Pooled Funds and in Advised Funds) may not be used to 
purchase any Securities being offered, if such Securities are debt 
securities rated lower than the sixth highest rating category by any of 
the Rating Organizations;
    (5) Notwithstanding the percentage of Securities of an issue 
permitted to be acquired, as set forth in Section II(c)(1), (2), and 
(3), above, of this exemption, the amount of Securities in any issue 
(whether equity or debt securities) purchased, pursuant to this 
exemption, by the asset management affiliate of DB on behalf of any 
single Client Plan or any Master Trust, either individually or through 
investment, calculated on a pro-rata basis, in a Pooled Fund or Advised 
Fund may not exceed three percent (3%) of the total amount of such 
Securities being offered in such issue, and;
    (6) If purchased in an Eligible Rule 144A Offering, the total 
amount of the Securities being offered for purposes of determining the 
percentages, described, above, in Section II(c)(1)--(3) and (5), is the 
total of:
    (i) The principal amount of the offering of such class of 
Securities sold by underwriters or members of the selling syndicate to 
``qualified institutional buyers'' (QIBs), as defined in SEC Rule 144A 
(17 CFR 230.144A(a)(1)); plus
    (ii) The principal amount of the offering of such class of 
Securities in any concurrent public offering.
    (d) The aggregate amount to be paid by any single Client Plan or 
Master Trust in purchasing any Securities which are the subject of this 
exemption, including any amounts paid by any Client Plan, Master Trust, 
or In-House Plan in purchasing such Securities through a Pooled Fund or 
an Advised Fund, calculated on a pro-rata basis, does not exceed three 
percent (3%) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Client 
Plan, Master Trust, or In-House Plan, as of the last day of the most 
recent fiscal quarter of such Client Plan, Master Trust, or In-House 
Plan prior to such transaction.
    (e) The covered transactions are not part of an agreement, 
arrangement, or understanding designed to benefit the asset management 
affiliate of DB or an affiliate.
    (f) If the transaction is an AUT, the Affiliated Broker-Dealer does 
not receive, either directly, indirectly, or through designation, any 
selling concession, or other compensation or consideration that is 
based upon the amount of Securities purchased by any single Client Plan 
or Master Trust or that is based on the amount of Securities purchased 
by Client Plans, Master Trusts, or In-House Plans through Pooled Funds 
or Advised Funds, pursuant to this exemption. In this regard, the 
Affiliated Broker-Dealer may not receive, either directly or 
indirectly, any compensation or consideration that is attributable to 
the fixed designations generated by purchases of the Securities by the 
asset management affiliate of DB on behalf of any single Client Plan or 
Master Trust or any Client Plan, Master Trust, or In-House Plan in 
Pooled Funds or Advised Funds.
    (g) If the transaction is an AUT,
    (1) The amount the Affiliated Broker-Dealer receives in management, 
underwriting, or other compensation or consideration is not increased 
through an agreement, arrangement, or understanding for the purpose of 
compensating the Affiliated Broker-Dealer for foregoing any selling 
concessions for those Securities sold pursuant to this exemption. 
Except as described above, nothing in this Section II(g)(1) shall be 
construed as precluding the Affiliated Broker-Dealer from receiving 
management fees for serving as manager of the underwriting or selling 
syndicate, underwriting fees for assuming the responsibilities of an 
underwriter in the underwriting or selling syndicate, or other 
compensation

[[Page 6750]]

or consideration that is not based upon the amount of Securities 
purchased by the asset management affiliate of DB on behalf of any 
single Client Plan or Master Trust or on behalf of any Client Plan, 
Master Trust, or In-House Plan participating in Pooled Funds and in 
Advised Funds, pursuant to this exemption; and
    (2) The Affiliated Broker-Dealer shall provide to the asset 
management affiliate of DB a written certification, signed by an 
officer of the Affiliated Broker-Dealer, stating the amount that the 
Affiliated Broker-Dealer received in compensation or consideration 
during the past quarter, in connection with any offerings covered by 
this exemption, was not adjusted in a manner inconsistent with Section 
II(e), (f), or (g) of this exemption.
    (h) The covered transactions are performed under a written 
authorization executed in advance by an independent fiduciary of each 
single Client Plan (the Independent Fiduciary), as defined, below, in 
Section III(g), or by a master trustee (the Master Trustee), as 
defined, below, in Section III(n), of each Master Trust).
    If an Independent Fiduciary acting on behalf of a single Client 
Plan (or if a Master Trustee acting on behalf of a Master Trust, as the 
case may be) executed a written authorization with respect of AUTs, as 
required under another prohibited transaction exemption covering the 
same asset management affiliate of DB, prior to publication of this 
exemption in the Federal Register, the written authorization 
requirement of this Section II(h) shall be deemed satisfied with 
respect to ATTs and AUTs, if such asset management affiliate of DB 
provides to the same Independent Fiduciary (or the same Master Trustee) 
the materials described, below in Section II(i), together with a 
termination form expressly providing an election for the Independent 
Fiduciary (or Master Trustee) to terminate the authorization with 
respect to AUTs or ATTs, or both, and a statement to the effect that 
the asset management affiliate of DB proposes to engage in ATTs on a 
specified date, unless the Independent Fiduciary (or Master Trustee) 
signs and returns the termination form to such asset management 
affiliate of DB prior to such specified date. Such specified date shall 
not be less than 45 days after the date the asset management affiliate 
of DB sent the notice of the intent to engage in ATTs to the 
Independent Fiduciary (or to the Master Trustee).
    (i) Prior to the execution by an Independent Fiduciary of a single 
Client Plan (or by a Master Trustee of a Master Trust, as the case may 
be) of the written authorization described, above, in Section II(h), 
the following information and materials (which may be provided 
electronically) must be provided by the asset management affiliate of 
DB to such Independent Fiduciary (and to such Master Trustee):
    (1) A copy of the Notice of Proposed Exemption (the Notice) and a 
copy of the final exemption as published in the Federal Register; and
    (2) Any other reasonably available information regarding the 
covered transactions that such Independent Fiduciary (or such Master 
Trustee) requests the asset management affiliate of DB to provide.
    (j) Subsequent to the initial authorization by an Independent 
Fiduciary of a single Client Plan (or by a Master Trustee of a Master 
Trust, as the case may be) permitting the asset management affiliate of 
DB to engage in the covered transactions on behalf of such single 
Client Plan (or on behalf of such Master Trust), the asset management 
affiliate of DB will continue to be subject to the requirement to 
provide within a reasonable period of time any reasonably available 
information regarding the covered transactions that the Independent 
Fiduciary (or the Master Trustee) requests the asset management 
affiliate of DB to provide.
    (k)(1) In the case of an existing employee benefit plan investor 
(or existing Master Trust investor, or existing In-House Plan investor, 
as the case may be) in a Pooled Fund, such Pooled Fund may not engage 
in any covered transactions pursuant to this exemption, unless the 
asset management affiliate of DB provides the written information, as 
described, below, and within the time period described, below, in this 
Section II(k)(3), to the Independent Fiduciary of each such plan 
participating in such Pooled Fund (and to the Master Trustee of each 
such Master Trust and to the fiduciary of each such In-House Plan 
participating in such Pooled Fund).
    (2) In the case of an existing employee benefit plan investor (or 
existing Master Trust investor or existing In-House Plan investor, as 
the case may be) in an Advised Fund, such Advised Fund may not engage 
in any covered transactions pursuant to this exemption, unless the 
asset management affiliate of DB provides the written information, as 
described, below, and within the time period described, below, in this 
Section II(k)(3), to the fiduciary who establishes and maintains the 
Advised Fund (the Appointing Fiduciary), as defined, below, in Section 
III(m); provided that: (i) Such Appointing Fiduciary is contractually 
obligated pursuant to a written agreement with the asset management 
affiliate of DB to distribute to the Independent Fiduciary of each such 
plan participating in such Advised Fund (and to the Master Trustee of 
each such Master Trust, and to the fiduciary of each such In-House Plan 
participating in such Advised Fund) the written information, described, 
below, in this Section II(k)(3); and (ii) after completing the 
distribution of such written information, such Appointing Fiduciary 
confirms in writing to the asset management affiliate of DB the date 
that the written information, described, below, in this Section 
II(k)(3), was sent to the Independent Fiduciary of each such plan 
participating in such Advised Fund (and to the Master Trustee of each 
such Master Trust and to the fiduciary of each such In-House Plan 
participating in such Advised Fund).
    (3) The following information and materials (which may be provided 
electronically) shall be provided by the asset management affiliate of 
DB not less than 45 days prior to such asset management affiliate of DB 
engaging in the covered transactions on behalf of a Pooled Fund or on 
behalf of an Advised Fund, as the case may be, pursuant to this 
exemption:
    (i) A notice of the intent of such Pooled Fund or such Advised Fund 
to purchase Securities pursuant to this exemption, a copy of this 
Notice, and a copy of the final exemption, as published in the Federal 
Register;
    (ii) Any other reasonably available information regarding the 
covered transactions that the Independent Fiduciary of a plan (or 
Master Trustee of a Master Trust or fiduciary of an In-House Plan) 
participating in a Pooled Fund requests the asset management affiliate 
of DB to provide or in the case of a plan (or Master Trust or In-House 
Plan) participating in an Advised Fund, any other reasonably available 
information that the Independent Fiduciary of such plan (or Master 
Trustee of such Master Trust or fiduciary of such In-House Plan) has 
requested the Appointing Fiduciary of such Advised Fund to provide; and
    (iii) A termination form expressly providing an election for the 
Independent Fiduciary of a plan (or Master Trustee of a Master Trust or 
fiduciary of an In-House Plan) participating in a Pooled Fund or in an 
Advised Fund to terminate such plan's (or Master Trust's or In-House 
Plan's) investment in such Pooled Fund or in such Advised Fund without 
penalty to such plan (or to such Master Trust or to such In-House 
Plan). Such form shall

[[Page 6751]]

include instructions specifying how to use the form. Specifically, the 
instructions will explain that such plan (or such Master Trust or such 
In-House Plan) has an opportunity to withdraw its assets from a Pooled 
Fund or an Advised Fund for a period of no more than 30 days after such 
plan's (or such Master Trust's or such In-House Plan's) receipt of the 
initial notice of intent, described, above, in Section II(k)(3)(i), and 
that the failure of the Independent Fiduciary of such plan (or Master 
Trustee of such Master Trust or fiduciary of such In-House Plan) to 
return the termination form to the asset management affiliate of DB in 
the case of a plan (or Master Trust or In-House Plan) participating in 
a Pooled Fund or to return the termination form to the Appointing 
Fiduciary in the case of a plan (or Master Trust or In-House Plan) in 
an Advised Fund by the specified date shall be deemed to be an approval 
by such plan (or such Master Trust or such In-House Plan) of its 
participation in the covered transactions as an investor in such Pooled 
Fund or in such Advised Fund.
    Further, the instructions will identify DB, the asset management 
affiliate of DB, the Affiliated Broker-Dealer, and the Affiliated 
Trustee and will provide the address of the asset management affiliate 
of DB and the address of the Appointing Fiduciary, if applicable. The 
instructions will state that this exemption may be unavailable, unless 
the fiduciary of each plan (and the Master Trustee of each Master 
Trust) participating in the covered transactions as an investor in a 
Pooled Fund or as an investor in an Advised Fund is, in fact, 
independent of DB, the asset management affiliate of DB, the Affiliated 
Broker-Dealer, and the Affiliated Trustee. The instructions will also 
state that the fiduciary of each such plan must advise the asset 
management affiliate of DB and the Appointing Fiduciary, if applicable, 
in writing, if it is not an ``Independent Fiduciary,'' as that term is 
defined, below, in Section III(g). The instructions will also state 
that each Master Trustee of a Master Trust must advise the asset 
management affiliate of DB and the Appointing Fiduciary, if applicable, 
in writing, if it is not ``independent,'' as the term, ``Master 
Trustee,'' is defined, below, in Section III(n).
    For purposes of this Section II(k), the requirement that the 
fiduciary responsible for the decision to authorize the transactions 
described, above, in Section I of this exemption for each plan be 
independent of the asset management affiliate of DB shall not apply in 
the case of an In-House Plan.
    (l)(1) In the case of each plan (and in the case of each Master 
Trust and each In-House Plan) whose assets are proposed to be invested 
in a Pooled Fund after such Pooled Fund has satisfied the conditions 
set forth in this exemption to engage in the covered transactions, the 
investment by such plan (or by such Master Trust or such In-House Plan) 
in the Pooled Fund is subject to the prior written authorization of an 
Independent Fiduciary representing such plan (or the prior written 
authorization by the Master Trustee of such Master Trust or by the 
fiduciary of such In-House Plan, as the case may be), following the 
receipt by such Independent Fiduciary of such plan (or by the Master 
Trustee of such Master Trust or the fiduciary of such In-House Plan, as 
the case may be) of the written information described, above, in 
Section II(k)(3)(i) and (ii).
    (2) In the case of each plan (and in the case of each Master Trust 
and each In-House Plan) whose assets are proposed to be invested in an 
Advised Fund after such Advised Fund has satisfied the conditions set 
forth in this exemption to engage in the covered transactions:
    (i) The investment by such plan (or Master Trust or In-House Plan) 
in such Advised Fund is subject to the prior written authorization of 
the Independent Fiduciary representing such plan (or the prior written 
authorization by the Master Trustee of such Master Trust or by the 
fiduciary of such In-House Plan, as the case may be), following the 
receipt by such Independent Fiduciary (or by such Master Trustee or by 
such fiduciary of such In-House Plan) of the written information 
described, above, in Section II(k)(3)(i) and (ii), which information 
the asset management affiliate of DB is required to provide, not less 
than 30 days prior to the investment of such plan (or such Master Trust 
or such In-House Plan) in such Advised Fund, to the Appointing 
Fiduciary of such Advised Fund; and
    (ii) The investment by such plan (or Master Trust or In-House Plan) 
in such Advised Fund is subject further to the requirement that, 
pursuant to a written agreement with the asset management affiliate of 
DB, the Appointing Fiduciary is contractually obligated to distribute 
the written information described, above, in Section II(k)(3)(i) and 
(ii) to the Independent Fiduciary of each plan proposing to invest in 
such Advised Fund (or to the Master Trustee of each Master Trust or to 
the fiduciary of each In-House Plan proposing to invest in such Advised 
Fund, as the case may be) and is contractually obligated to confirm in 
writing to the asset management affiliate of DB the date that such 
information was sent to the Independent Fiduciary of each plan (or 
Master Trustee of each Master Trust or fiduciary of each In-House Plan, 
as the case may be) proposing to invest in such Advised Fund, and is 
contractually obligated to confirm in writing to the asset management 
affiliate of DB the date that the Appointing Fiduciary obtained the 
written authorization of the Independent Fiduciary of each plan (or the 
Master Trustee of each Master Trust or fiduciary of each In-House Plan, 
as the case may be); provided that such date is not less than 30 days 
prior to the date of the investment by such plan (or Master Trust or 
In-House Plan, as the case may be) in such Advised Fund.
    (3) For purposes of this Section II(l), the requirement that the 
fiduciary responsible for the decision to authorize the transactions 
described, above, in Section I of this exemption for each plan 
proposing to invest a Pooled Fund or in an Advised Fund be independent 
of DB and its affiliates shall not apply in the case of an In-House 
Plan.
    (m)(1) Subsequent to the initial authorization by an Independent 
Fiduciary of a plan (or by a Master Trustee of a Master Trust or 
fiduciary of an In-House Plan) to invest in a Pooled Fund that engages 
in the covered transactions, the asset management affiliate of DB will 
continue to be subject to the requirement to provide within a 
reasonable period of time any reasonably available information 
regarding the covered transactions that the Independent Fiduciary of 
such plan (or the Master Trustee of such Master Trust or the fiduciary 
of such In-House Plan, as the case may be) requests the asset 
management affiliate of DB to provide; and
    (2) Subsequent to the initial authorization by an Independent 
Fiduciary of a plan (or by a Master Trustee of a Master Trust or 
fiduciary of an In-House Plan) to invest in an Advised Fund that 
engages in the covered transactions, the asset management affiliate of 
DB will continue to be subject to the requirement to provide within a 
reasonable period of time to the Appointing Fiduciary any reasonably 
available information regarding the covered transactions that the 
Independent Fiduciary of such Plan (or the Master Trustee of such 
Master Trust or the fiduciary of such In-House Plan, as the case may 
be) requests the Appointing Fiduciary to provide.
    (n) At least once every three months, and not later than 45 days 
following the three (3) month period, the asset

[[Page 6752]]

management affiliate of DB shall furnish:
    (1) In the case of each single Client Plan (and in the case of each 
Master Trust) that engages in the covered transactions, the information 
described, below, in this Section II(n)(4)-(8), to the Independent 
Fiduciary of each such single Client Plan (and to the Master Trustee of 
each such Master Trust, as the case may be).
    (2) In the case of each Pooled Fund in which a Client Plan (or in 
which a Master Trust or in which an In-House Plan) invests, the 
information described, below, in this Section II(n)(4)-(7) and (9), to 
the Independent Fiduciary of each such Client Plan (and to the Master 
Trustee of each such Master Trust and to the fiduciary of each such In-
House Plan) invested in such Pooled Fund.
    (3) In the case of each Advised Fund in which a Client Plan (or in 
which a Master Trust or in which an In-House Plan) invests, the 
information described, below, in this Section II(n)(4)-(7) and (9), to 
the Appointing Fiduciary of such Advised Fund who is contractually 
obligated to distribute such information, not later than 30 days 
following receipt of such information, to the Independent Fiduciary of 
each such Client Plan (and to the Master Trustee of each such Master 
Trust and to the fiduciary of each such In-House Plan) invested in such 
Advised Fund, and is contractually obligated to confirm in writing to 
DB the date when such distribution was sent to the Independent 
Fiduciary of each such Client Plan (and to the Master Trustee of each 
such Master Trust and to the fiduciary of each such In-House Plan) 
invested in such Advised Fund).
    (4) A quarterly report (a Quarterly Report) (which may be provided 
electronically) which discloses all the Securities purchased pursuant 
to the exemption during the period to which such report relates on 
behalf of the Client Plan, Master Trust, In-House Plan, Pooled Fund, or 
Advised Fund to which such report relates and which discloses the terms 
of each of the transactions described in such report, including:
    (i) The type of Securities (including the rating of any Securities 
which are debt securities) involved in each transaction;
    (ii) The price at which the Securities were purchased in each 
transaction;
    (iii) The first day on which any sale was made during the offering 
of the Securities;
    (iv) The size of the issue of the Securities involved in each 
transaction;
    (v) The number of Securities purchased by the asset management 
affiliate of DB for the Client Plan, Master Trust, In-House Plan, 
Pooled Fund, or Advised Fund to which the transaction relates;
    (vi) The identity of the underwriter from whom the Securities were 
purchased for each transaction;
    (vii) In the case of an AUT, the underwriting spread in each 
transaction (i.e., the difference, between the price at which the 
underwriter purchases the securities from the issuer and the price at 
which the securities are sold to the public);
    (viii) In the case of an ATT, the basis upon which the Affiliated 
Trustee was compensated in each transaction;
    (ix) The price at which any of the Securities purchased during the 
period to which such report relates were sold; and
    (x) The market value at the end of the period to which such report 
relates of the Securities purchased during such period and not sold;
    (5) The Quarterly Report contains: (i) In the case of AUTs, a 
representation that the asset management affiliate of DB has received a 
written certification signed by an officer of the Affiliated Broker-
Dealer, as described, above, in Section II(g)(2), affirming that, as to 
each AUT covered by this exemption during the past quarter, the 
Affiliated Broker-Dealer acted in compliance with Section II(e), (f), 
and (g) of this exemption, and a representation that copies of such 
certifications will be provided upon request, and
    (ii) In the case of ATTs, a representation of the asset management 
affiliate of DB, affirming that, as to each ATT, the transaction was 
not part of an agreement, arrangement, or understanding designed to 
benefit the Affiliated Trustee;
    (6) A disclosure in the Quarterly Report that states that any other 
reasonably available information regarding a covered transaction that 
an Independent Fiduciary (or Master Trustee or fiduciary of an In-House 
Plan) requests will be provided, including, but not limited to:
    (i) The date on which the Securities were purchased on behalf of 
the Client Plan (or Master Trust or In-House Plan) to which the 
disclosure relates (including Securities purchased by Pooled Funds or 
Advised Funds in which such Client Plan, (or such Master Trust or such 
In-House Plan) invests;
    (ii) The percentage of the offering purchased on behalf of all 
Client Plans and Master Trusts (and the pro-rata percentage purchased 
on behalf of Client Plans, Master Trusts, and In-House Plans investing 
in Pooled Funds or Advised Funds); and
    (iii) The identity of all members of the underwriting syndicate;
    (7) The Quarterly Report discloses any instance during the past 
quarter where the asset management affiliate of DB was precluded for 
any period of time from selling Securities purchased under this 
exemption in that quarter because of its status as an affiliate of an 
Affiliated Broker-Dealer or of an Affiliated Trustee and the reason for 
this restriction;
    (8) Explicit notification, prominently displayed in each Quarterly 
Report sent to the Independent Fiduciary of each single Client Plan 
(and to the Master Trustee of each Master Trust) that engages in the 
covered transactions that the authorization to engage in such covered 
transactions may be terminated, without penalty to such single Client 
Plan (or such Master Trust), within five (5) days after the date that 
the Independent Fiduciary of such single Client Plan (or the Master 
Trustee of such Master Trust) informs the person identified in such 
notification that the authorization to engage in the covered 
transactions is terminated; and
    (9) Explicit notification, prominently displayed in each Quarterly 
Report sent to the Independent Fiduciary of each Client Plan (and to 
the Master Trustee of each Master Trust and to the fiduciary of each 
In-House Plan) that engages in the covered transactions through a 
Pooled Fund or an Advised Fund that the investment in such Pooled Fund 
or such Advised Fund may be terminated, without penalty to such Client 
Plan (or such Master Trust or such In-House Plan), within such time as 
may be necessary to effect the withdrawal in an orderly manner that is 
equitable to all withdrawing plans and to the non-withdrawing plans, 
after the date that that the Independent Fiduciary of such Client Plan 
(or the Master Trustee of such Master Trust or the fiduciary of such 
In-House Plan, as the case may be) informs the person identified in 
such notification that the investment in such Pooled Fund or such 
Advised Fund is terminated.
    (o) For purposes of engaging in covered transactions, each Client 
Plan (and each Master Trust and each In-House Plan) shall have total 
net assets with a value of at least $50 million (the $50 Million Net 
Asset Requirement). For purposes of engaging in covered transactions 
involving an Eligible Rule 144A Offering,\3\ each Client Plan (and

[[Page 6753]]

each Master Trust and each In-House Plan) shall have total net assets 
of at least $100 million in securities of issuers that are not 
affiliated with such Client Plan (such Master Trust or such In-House 
Plan, as the case may be) (the $100 Million Net Asset Requirement).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ SEC Rule 10f-3(a)(4), 17 CFR 270.10f-3(a)(4), states that 
the term ``Eligible Rule 144A Offering'' means an offering of 
securities that meets the following conditions:
    (i) The securities are offered or sold in transactions exempt 
from registration under section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 
[15 U.S.C. 77d(d)], rule 144A thereunder [Sec.  230.144A of this 
chapter], or rules 501-508 thereunder [Sec. Sec.  230.501-230-508 of 
this chapter];
    (ii) The securities are sold to persons that the seller and any 
person acting on behalf of the seller reasonably believe to include 
qualified institutional buyers, as defined in Sec.  230.144A(a)(1) 
of this chapter; and
    (iii) The seller and any person acting on behalf of the seller 
reasonably believe that the securities are eligible for resale to 
other qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Sec.  230.144A of 
this chapter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For purposes of a Pooled Fund or an Advised Fund engaging in 
covered transactions, each Client Plan (and each Master Trust and each 
In-House Plan) in such Pooled Fund or Advised Fund shall have total net 
assets with a value of at least $50 million. Notwithstanding the 
foregoing, if each such Client Plan (and each such Master Trust and 
each such In-House Plan) in such Pooled Fund or Advised Fund does not 
have total net assets with a value of at least $50 million, the $50 
Million Net Asset Requirement will be met, if 50 percent (50%) or more 
of the units of beneficial interest in such Pooled Fund or in such 
Advised Fund are held by Client Plans (or by Master Trusts, or by In-
House Plans), each of which has total net assets with a value of at 
least $50 million. For purposes of a Pooled Fund or an Advised Fund 
engaging in covered transactions involving an Eligible Rule 144A 
Offering, each Client Plan (and each Master Trust and each In-House 
Plan) in such Pooled Fund or in such Advised Fund shall have total net 
assets of at least $100 million in securities of issuers that are not 
affiliated with such Client Plan (or such Master Trust or such In-House 
Plan, as the case may be). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if each such 
Client Plan (and each such Master Trust and each such In-House Plan) in 
such Pooled Fund or in such Advised Fund does not have total net assets 
of at least $100 million in securities of issuers that are not 
affiliated with such Client Plan (Master Trust or In-House Plan, as the 
case may be), the $100 Million Net Asset Requirement will be met if 50 
percent (50%) or more of the units of beneficial interest in such 
Pooled Fund or in such Advised Fund are held by Client Plans (or by 
Master Trusts or by In-House Plans), each of which has total net assets 
of at least $100 million in securities of issuers that are not 
affiliated with such Client Plan (or such Master Trust or such In-House 
Plan, as the case may be), and the Pooled Fund or the Advised Fund 
itself qualifies as a QIB, as determined pursuant to SEC Rule 144A (17 
CFR 230.144A(a)(F)).
    Solely for purposes of applying this Section II(o) in calculating 
whether 50 percent (50%) or more of the units of beneficial interest in 
a Pooled Fund or in an Advised Fund is held by ``Client Plans'' each of 
which has total net asset with a value of at least $50 million (or in 
the case of an Eligible Rule 144A Offering, has total net assets of at 
least $100 million in securities of issuers that are not affiliated 
with such Client Plan (such Master Trust or such In-House Plan, as the 
case may be)), the word, ``Client Plans,'' includes governmental plans 
within the meaning of section 3(32) of the Act; provided that each such 
government plan has total net assets with a value of at least $50 
million (or in the case of an Eligible Rule 144A Offering, has total 
net assets of at least $100 million in securities of issuers that are 
not affiliated with such government plan).
    For purposes of the net asset requirements described, above, in 
this Section II(o), where a group of Client Plans is maintained by a 
single employer or controlled group of employers, as defined in section 
407(d)(7) of the Act, the $50 Million Net Asset Requirement (or in the 
case of an Eligible Rule 144A Offering, the $100 Million Net Asset 
Requirement) may be met by aggregating the assets of such Client Plans, 
if the assets of such Client Plans are pooled for investment purposes 
under a Master Trustee, as defined, below, in Section III(n), in a 
single Master Trust, as defined, below, in Section III(o) of this 
exemption.
    For purposes of complying with the net asset requirements, as set 
forth in this Section II(o), the Appointing Fiduciary with respect to 
an Advised Fund which engages in the transactions described, above, in 
Section I of this exemption, must enter into a contractual obligation, 
pursuant to a written agreement with the asset management affiliate of 
DB, to ensure that the $50 Million Net Asset Requirement and the $100 
Million Net Asset Requirement, as set forth in this Section II(o), is 
satisfied; to maintain records with respect thereto; and to provide 
written confirmation of compliance with Section II(o) upon request from 
the asset management affiliate of DB.
    (p) The asset management affiliate of DB qualifies as a ``qualified 
professional asset manager'' (QPAM), as that term is defined under Part 
V(a) of PTE 84-14. Notwithstanding the fact that the asset management 
affiliate of DB satisfies the requirements, as set forth in Part V(a) 
of PTE 84-14, such asset management affiliate of DB must also have 
total client assets under its management and control in excess of $5 
billion, as of the last day of it most recent fiscal year and 
shareholders' or partners' equity in excess of $1 million. Furthermore, 
the requirement that the asset management affiliate of DB must have 
total client asset under its management and control in excess of $5 
billion, as of the last day of it most recent fiscal year and 
shareholders' or partners' equity in excess of $1 million, as set forth 
in this Section II(p), applies whether such asset management affiliate 
of DB, qualifies as a QPAM, pursuant to Part V(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3) or 
(a)(4) of PTE 84-14.
    (q) No more than 20 percent (20%) of the assets of a Pooled Fund or 
of an Advised Fund, at the time of a covered transaction, are comprised 
of assets of In-House Plans, for which DB, the asset management 
affiliate of DB, the Affiliated Broker-Dealer, or an affiliate 
exercises investment discretion.
    (r) The asset management affiliate of DB, and the Affiliated 
Broker-Dealer, as applicable, maintain, or cause to be maintained, for 
a period of six (6) years from the date of any covered transaction such 
records as are necessary to enable the persons, described, below, in 
Section II(s), to determine whether the conditions of this exemption 
have been met, except that--
    (1) No party in interest with respect to a plan which engages in 
the covered transactions, other than DB, the asset management affiliate 
of DB, and the Affiliated Broker-Dealer, or Affiliated Trustee, as 
applicable, shall be subject to a civil penalty under section 502(i) of 
the Act or the taxes imposed by section 4975(a) and (b) of the Code, if 
such records are not maintained, or not available for examination, as 
required, below, by Section II(s); and
    (2) A prohibited transaction shall not be considered to have 
occurred if, due to circumstances beyond the control of the asset 
management affiliate of DB, the Affiliated Broker-Dealer, or Affiliated 
Trustee, as applicable, such records are lost or destroyed prior to the 
end of the six-year period.
    (s)(1) Except as provided, below, in Section II(s)(2), and 
notwithstanding any provisions of subsections (a)(2) and (b) of section 
504 of the Act, the records referred to, above, in Section II(r) are 
unconditionally available at their customary location for examination 
during normal business hours by--
    (i) Any duly authorized employee or representative of the 
Department, the Internal Revenue Service, or the SEC; or

[[Page 6754]]

    (ii) Any fiduciary of any plan (and any Master Trustee of a Master 
Trust) that engages in the covered transactions, or any duly authorized 
employee or representative of such fiduciary or Master Trustee; or
    (iii) Any employer of participants and beneficiaries and any 
employee organization whose members are covered by a plan that engages 
in the covered transactions, or any authorized employee or 
representative of these entities; or
    (iv) Any participant or beneficiary of a plan that engages in the 
covered transactions, or duly authorized employee or representative of 
such participant or beneficiary;
    (2) None of the persons described, above, in Section II(s)(1)(ii)-
(iv) shall be authorized to examine trade secrets of the asset 
management affiliate of DB, or the Affiliated Broker-Dealer, or the 
Affiliated Trustee, or commercial or financial information which is 
privileged or confidential; and
    (3) Should the asset management affiliate of DB, or the Affiliated 
Broker-Dealer, or the Affiliated Trustee refuse to disclose information 
on the basis that such information is exempt from disclosure, pursuant 
to Section II(s)(2), above, the asset management affiliate of DB shall, 
by the close of the thirtieth (30th) day following the request, provide 
a written notice advising that person of the reasons for the refusal 
and that the Department may request such information.
    (t) An indenture trustee whose affiliate has, within the prior 12 
months, underwritten any Securities for an obligor of the indenture 
securities will resign as indenture trustee if a default occurs upon 
the indenture securities.
    (u) The Appointing Fiduciary of an Advised Fund must enter into a 
written contractual obligation with the asset management affiliate of 
DB to distribute the written disclosures, as required by Section II(k), 
(l), (m), and the written reports, as required by Section II(n), to 
each investor participating in such Advised Fund which is an employee 
benefit plan subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of the 
Act or which is established pursuant to section 4975 of the Code or 
which is a Master Trust, as defined in Section III(o).
Section III--Definitions
    (a) The term, ``Advised Fund(s),'' means a common or collective 
trust fund(s) or pooled investment fund(s), in which employee benefit 
plan(s) subject to the Act and/or Code invest, which is established and 
maintained by an Appointing Fiduciary, as defined, below, in Section 
III(m), and such Appointing Fiduciary (and not an affiliate thereof) is 
directly responsible for the selection of an asset management affiliate 
of DB to exercise discretionary authority or discretionary control over 
the management or disposition of some or all of the assets in such 
fund; or to render investment advice, as described in section 
3(21)(A)(ii) of the Act, with respect to some or all of the assets in 
such fund. The term, ``Advised Fund(s),'' does not include any common 
or collective trust fund(s) or pooled investment fund(s) in which 
employee benefit plan(s) subject to the Act and/or Code invest, which 
is established and maintained by an Appointing Fiduciary but for which 
an entity, other than such Appointing Fiduciary, has selected an asset 
management affiliate of DB to exercise discretionary authority or 
discretionary control over the management or disposition of some or all 
of the assets of such plan(s) or to render investment advice, as 
defined in section 3(21)(A)(ii) of the Act, with respect to some or all 
of the assets invested in such fund, and for which such entity serves 
as a fiduciary, as defined in section 3(21) of the Act.
    In addition to the foregoing, the proposed exemption does not apply 
to any AUT and ATT transactions involving plan assets which are 
invested in certain multi-tiered pooled arrangements. In this regard, 
if a common or collective trust fund or other pooled investment fund 
(except for a Master Trust, as defined, below, in Section III(o)) 
containing the assets of employee benefit plans(s) subject to the Act 
and/or the Code, invests, directly or indirectly, some or all such plan 
assets in a Pooled Fund, as defined, below, in Section III(f), or in an 
Advised Fund, as defined, in this Section III(a), then the exemption 
does not apply to any AUT or ATT transactions engaged in by such Pooled 
Fund or such Advised Fund.
    (b) The term, ``Affiliated Broker-Dealer,'' means any broker-dealer 
affiliate, as ``affiliate'' is defined, below, in Section III(c), of 
the Applicants, as ``Applicants'' are defined, below, in Section 
III(p), that meets the requirements of this exemption. Such Affiliated 
Broker-Dealer may participate in an underwriting or selling syndicate 
as a manager or member. The term, ``manager,'' means any member of an 
underwriting or selling syndicate who, either alone or together with 
other members of the syndicate, is authorized to act on behalf of the 
members of the syndicate in connection with the sale and distribution 
of the Securities, as defined, below, in Section III(h), being offered 
or who receives compensation from the members of the syndicate for its 
services as a manager of the syndicate.
    (c) The term ``affiliate'' of a person includes:
    (1) Any person directly or indirectly through one or more 
intermediaries, controlling, controlled by, or under common control 
with such person;
    (2) Any officer, director, partner, employee, or relative, as 
defined in section 3(15) of the Act, of such person; and
    (3) Any corporation or partnership of which such person is an 
officer, director, partner, or employee.
    (d) The term, ``control,'' means the power to exercise a 
controlling influence over the management or policies of a person other 
than an individual.
    (e) The term, ``Client Plan(s),'' means an employee benefit plan(s) 
that is subject to the Act and/or the Code, and for which plan(s) an 
asset management affiliate of DB exercises discretionary authority or 
discretionary control respecting management or disposition of some or 
all of the assets of such plan(s), but excludes In-House Plans, as 
defined, below, in Section III(q) and Master Trusts, as defined below, 
in Section III(o).
    (f) The term, ``Pooled Fund(s),'' means a common or collective 
trust fund(s) or a pooled investment fund(s): (i) In which employee 
benefit plan(s) subject to the Act and/or Code invest, (ii) which is 
maintained by an asset management affiliate of DB, (as the term, 
``affiliate'' is defined, above, in Section III(c)), and (iii) for 
which such asset management affiliate of DB exercises discretionary 
authority or discretionary control respecting the management or 
disposition of the assets of such fund(s).
    (g)(1) The term, ``Independent Fiduciary,'' means a fiduciary of a 
plan who is unrelated to, and independent of DB, the asset management 
affiliate of DB, the Affiliated Broker-Dealer, and the Affiliated 
Trustee. For purposes of this exemption, a fiduciary of a plan will be 
deemed to be unrelated to, and independent of DB, the asset management 
affiliate of DB, the Affiliated Broker-Dealer, and the Affiliated 
Trustee, if such fiduciary represents that neither such fiduciary, nor 
any individual responsible for the decision to authorize or terminate 
authorization for the transactions described, above, in Section I of 
this exemption, is an officer, director, or highly compensated employee 
(within the meaning of section 4975(e)(2)(H) of the Code) of DB, the 
asset management affiliate of DB, the Affiliated Broker-Dealer, or the 
Affiliated Trustee, and represents that such fiduciary shall

[[Page 6755]]

advise the asset management affiliate of DB, and if applicable, the 
Appointing Fiduciary, as defined, below, in Section III(m), within a 
reasonable period of time after any change in such facts occur.
    (2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 
III(g), a fiduciary of a plan is not independent:
    (i) If such fiduciary directly or indirectly controls, is 
controlled by, or is under common control with DB, the asset management 
affiliate of DB, the Affiliated Broker-Dealer, or the Affiliated 
Trustee;
    (ii) If such fiduciary directly or indirectly receives any 
compensation or other consideration from DB, the asset management 
affiliate of DB, the Affiliated Broker-Dealer, or the Affiliated 
Trustee for his or her own personal account in connection with any 
transaction described in this exemption;
    (iii) If any officer, director, or highly compensated employee 
(within the meaning of section 4975(e)(2)(H) of the Code) of the asset 
management affiliate of DB responsible for the transactions described, 
above, in Section I of this exemption, is an officer, director, or 
highly compensated employee (within the meaning of section 
4975(e)(2)(H) of the Code) of the sponsor of the plan or of the 
fiduciary responsible for the decision to authorize or terminate 
authorization for the transactions described, above, in Section I. 
However, if such individual is a director of the sponsor of the plan or 
of the responsible fiduciary, and if he or she abstains from 
participation in: (A) the choice of the plan's investment manager/
adviser; and (B) the decision to authorize or terminate authorization 
for transactions described, above, in Section I, then Section 
III(g)(2)(iii) shall not apply.
    (3) The term, ``officer,'' means a president, any vice president in 
charge of a principal business unit, division, or function (such as 
sales, administration, or finance), or any other officer who performs a 
policy-making function for DB or any affiliate thereof.
    (h) The term, ``Securities,'' shall have the same meaning as 
defined in section 2(36) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 
1940 Act), as amended (15 U.S.C. 80a-2(36)(1996)). For purposes of this 
exemption, mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities rated by 
one of the Rating Organizations, as defined, below, in Section III(k), 
will be treated as debt securities.
    (i) The term, ``Eligible Rule 144A Offering,'' shall have the same 
meaning as defined in SEC Rule 10f-3(a)(4) (17 CFR 270. 10f-3(a)(4)) 
under the 1940 Act.
    (j) The term, ``qualified institutional buyer,'' or the term, 
``QIB,'' shall have the same meaning as defined in SEC Rule 144A (17 
CFR 230.144A(a)(1)) under the 1933 Act.
    (k) The term, ``Rating Organizations,'' means Standard & Poor's 
Rating Services, Moody's Investors Service, Inc., FitchRatings, Inc., 
Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited, and Dominion Bond Rating Service, 
Inc.; or any successors thereto.
    (l) The term, ``Affiliated Trustee,'' means any bank or trust 
company affiliate, as defined, above, in Section III(c)(1), of the 
Applicants, as defined, below, in Section III(p), that serves as 
trustee of a trust that issues Securities, as defined, above, in 
Section III(h), which are asset-backed securities or as indenture 
trustee of Securities which are either asset-backed securities or other 
debt securities that meet the requirements of this exemption. For 
purposes of this exemption, other than Section II(t), performing 
services as custodian, paying agent, registrar, or in similar 
ministerial capacities is also considered serving as trustee or 
indenture trustee.
    (m)(1) The term, ``Appointing Fiduciary,'' means the fiduciary that 
establishes and maintains an ``Advised Fund,'' as defined, above, in 
Section III(a), that is directly responsible for the selection and 
termination of an asset management affiliate of DB to exercise 
discretionary authority or discretionary control over the management or 
disposition of some or all of the assets of employee benefit plan(s) 
subject to the Act and/or Code which are invested in such Advised Fund, 
or to render investment advice, as described in section 3(21)(A)(ii) of 
the Act with respect to some or all of the assets of such Advised Fund, 
and which fiduciary is unrelated to and independent of DB, the asset 
management affiliate of DB, the Affiliated Broker-Dealer, and the 
Affiliated Trustee. For purposes of this exemption, an Appointing 
Fiduciary of an Advised Fund will be deemed to be unrelated to, and 
independent of DB, the asset management affiliate of DB, the Affiliated 
Broker-Dealer, and the Affiliated Trustee, if such Appointing Fiduciary 
represents that it is not an officer, director, or highly compensated 
employee (within the meaning of section 4975(e)(2)(H) of the Code) of 
DB, the asset management affiliate of DB, the Affiliated Broker-Dealer, 
or the Affiliated Trustee, and represents that such Appointing 
Fiduciary shall advise the asset management affiliate of DB within a 
reasonable period of time after any change in such facts occur.
    (2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section III(m), an 
Appointing Fiduciary is not independent:
    (i) If any provision, as set forth, above, in Section III(g)(2)(i)-
(ii), in the definition of an Independent Fiduciary, is applicable to 
such Appointing Fiduciary, if the term, ``Appointing Fiduciary,'' were 
substituted for the term, ``fiduciary'' in such provision; or
    (ii) If any officer, director, or highly compensated employee 
(within the meaning of section 4975(e)(2)(H) of the Code) of DB, the 
asset management affiliate of DB, the Affiliated Broker-Dealer, or the 
Affiliated Trustee is an officer, director, or highly compensated 
employee (within the meaning of section 4975(e)(2)(H) of the Code) of 
such Appointing Fiduciary.
    (3) The term, ``officer,'' is defined as in Section III(g)(3), 
above.
    (4) An Appointing Fiduciary:
    (i) Must have been in continuous operation for not less than three 
years, including the operation of any predecessors;
    (ii) Must qualify as a ``qualified professional asset manager'' 
(QPAM), as that term is defined under Part V(a) of PTE 84-14. 
Notwithstanding the fact that the Appointing Fiduciary satisfies the 
requirements, as set forth in Part V(a) of PTE 84-14, such Appointing 
Fiduciary must also have total client assets under its management and 
control in excess of $5 billion, as of the last day of it most recent 
fiscal year and shareholders' or partners' equity in excess of $1 
million. Furthermore, the requirement that the Appointing Fiduciary 
must have total client asset under its management and control in excess 
of $5 billion, as of the last day of it most recent fiscal year and 
shareholders' or partners' equity in excess of $1 million, as set forth 
in this Section II(m), applies whether such Appointing Fiduciary 
qualifies as a QPAM, pursuant to Part V(a)(1), V(a)(2), V(a)(3) or 
V(a)(4) of PTE 84-14.
    (n)(1) the term, ``Master Trustee,'' means a fiduciary with respect 
to a group of Client Plans maintained by a single employer or 
controlled group of employers, as defined in section 407(d)(7) of the 
Act, which Client Plans are pooled for investment purposes in a single 
Master Trust, (as the term, ``Master Trust,'' is defined, below, in 
Section III(o)), and which fiduciary is unrelated to, and independent 
of DB, the asset management affiliate of DB, the Affiliated Broker-
Dealer, and the Affiliated Trustee. For purposes of this exemption, a 
Master Trustee will be deemed to be unrelated to, and independent of 
DB, the asset

[[Page 6756]]

management affiliate of DB, the Affiliated Broker-Dealer, and the 
Affiliated Trustee, if such Master Trustee satisfies the requirements 
set forth, above, in Section III(g)(1) of this exemption in the 
definition of an Independent Fiduciary, if the term, ``Master 
Trustee,'' were substituted for the term, ``fiduciary,'' in such 
provision.
    (2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 
III(n), the Master Trustee is not independent, if any provision, as set 
forth, above, in Section III(g)(2)(i) through (iii), in the definition 
of an Independent Fiduciary, is applicable to such Master Trustee, if 
the term, ``Master Trustee,'' were substituted for the term, 
``fiduciary,'' in such provision.
    (3) The term, ``officer,'' is defined as in Section III(g)(3), 
above.
    (4) The Master Trustee: (i) Must be any officer, director, partner, 
or employee of an employer or controlled group of employers, as defined 
in section 407(d)(7) of the Act which sponsor a group of Client Plans 
the assets of which are commingled for investment purposes in the 
Master Trust, (as the term, ``Master Trust,'' is defined, below, in 
Section III(o); or an affiliate, as defined, above, in Section 
III(c)(1) of such employer or controlled group of employers which has 
been in continuous operation for not less than three (3) years, 
including the operation of any predecessor; and
    (ii) in the case of an affiliate of such employer or controlled 
group of employers, must have, as of the last day of its most recent 
fiscal year total assets under its management and control in excess of 
$50 million, exclusive of the $50 Million Net Asset Requirement, (or, 
in the case of an Eligible Rule 144A Offering, the $100 Million Net 
Asset Requirement), as set forth in Section II(o), above, attributable 
to the aggregate assets of the Client Plans which are commingled in 
such Master Trust;
    (o) The term, ``Master Trust,'' means a trust in which the assets 
of a group of Client Plans maintained by a single employer or 
controlled group of employers, as defined in section 407(d)(7) of the 
Act are commingled for investment purposes, and which trust satisfies 
the net asset requirements, as set forth, above, in Section II(o).
    (p) The term, ``the Applicants,'' means DB and its affiliates, as 
defined, above, in Section III(c).
    (q) The term, ``In-House Plan(s),'' means an employee benefit 
plan(s) that is subject to the Act and/or the Code, and that is 
sponsored by the Applicants, as defined, above, in Section III(p) for 
their own employees.
    Effective Date: If granted, this proposed exemption will be 
effective as of the date the final exemption is published in the 
Federal Register.

Preamble

    This document contains a Notice of pendency (the Notice) before the 
Department of a proposed individual exemption filed on behalf of DB and 
its affiliates (the Applicants), which, if granted, would supersede 
Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2003-24 (PTE 2003-24) (68 FR 48637, 
August 14, 2003, as amended, 68 FR 55993, September 29, 2003) with 
respect to the Applicants. Accordingly, the entire text of this 
proposed exemption is set forth in this Notice.
    PTE 2003-24 permits purchases of securities by an asset manager on 
behalf of employee benefit plans (or entities that hold plan assets) 
for which such asset manager acts as a fiduciary: (i) From any person 
other than the asset manager or an affiliate during the existence of an 
underwriting or selling syndicate where a broker-dealer affiliated with 
the asset manager participates as a manager or a member of such 
syndicate (affiliated underwriter transactions); and/or (ii) from a 
trust that issues asset-backed securities where a trustee affiliated 
with the asset manager serves as trustee of the trust (affiliated 
trustee transactions).
    The Department notes that on June 23, 2001, an authorization (FAN 
2001-19E) was issued, pursuant to PTE 96-62 (61 FR 39988, July 31, 
1996), to DB and its affiliates with regard to affiliated underwriter 
transactions. FAN 2001-19E was based on five (5) individual exemptions, 
granted by the Department in June 2000, which permitted the following 
entities to engage in affiliated underwriter transactions: (a) PTE 
2000-25 issued to Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, and to 
J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc., (65 FR 35129, June 1, 2000); 
(b) PTE 2000-26 issued to Goldman, Sachs & Co., and its Affiliates, (65 
FR 35129, June 1, 2000); (c) PTE 2000-27 issued to the Chase Manhattan 
Bank, (65 FR 35129, June 1, 2000); (d) PTE 2000-28 issued to Citigroup 
Inc., (65 FR 35129, June 1, 2000); and (e) PTE 2000-29 issued to Morgan 
Stanley Dean Witter & Co. and its Affiliates, (65 FR 35129, June 1, 
2000).
    The Department notes that in 2002, DB and its affiliates and 
JPMorgan Chase Bank (formerly, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New 
York and the Chase Manhattan Bank) each submitted an application for 
exemption (D-11004 and D-11106, respectively) requesting additional 
relief for affiliated trustee transactions. The relief requested by 
both financial institutions was encompassed in one exemption, PTE 2003-
24, which provided relief for affiliated underwriter transactions and 
for affiliated trustee transactions. In this regard, PTE 2003-24 
amended and replaced PTE 2000-27, PTE 2000-25, and FAN 2001-19E that 
had previously been issued to Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York 
and J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc., to the Chase Manhattan 
Bank, and to DB and its affiliates, respectively.
    In June 2005, DB and its affiliates submitted to the Department the 
subject application for exemption (D-11324) proposing to amend PTE 
2003-24. The Department will separately consider exemptions requesting 
similar relief from the following entities or from any other applicant: 
(a) JPMorgan Chase Bank, relating to PTE 2003-24, (b) Goldman, Sachs & 
Co. and its affiliates, relating to PTE 2000-26; (c) Citigroup Inc., 
relating to PTE 2000-28; (d) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, & Co., 
relating to PTE 2000-29; (e) Barclays Global Investors N.A., Barclays 
Capital, Inc. and their Affiliates, relating to FAN 2001-24E issued 
October 6, 2001; (f) TCW Group, Inc., and its Affiliates, relating to 
FAN 2002-09E issued September 14, 2002; (g) Rothchild Asset Management, 
Inc., relating to FAN 2005-09E issued May 7, 2005; and (h) Lehman 
Brothers Holding Inc., and Lehman Brothers Inc., et al., relating to 
PTE 2003-22 (68 FR 40694, July 8, 2003).
    The proposed exemption would provide relief similar to the relief 
provided by PTE 2003-24. In addition, the proposed exemption also: (a) 
Would permit covered transactions by certain plans invested in common 
or collective trust funds or pooled investment funds which are not 
established and maintained by DB or an affiliate but for which an asset 
management affiliate of DB exercises discretionary control or 
discretionary authority over the management or disposition of some or 
all of the plan assets in a fund or renders investment advice, as 
described in section 3(21)(A)(ii) of the Act with respect to some or 
all of the assets of such fund, provided certain conditions are 
satisfied; (b) would permit a master trustee of a master trust, as the 
terms, ``master trustee,'' and ``master trust,'' are defined herein, to 
receive disclosures and to consent to covered transactions on behalf of 
certain employee benefit plans invested in such master trust; and (c) 
would permit, for purposes of satisfying the net asset requirement of 
PTE 2003-24 in the case of certain funds, as defined herein, the 
inclusion

[[Page 6757]]

of government plans within the meaning of section 3(32) of the Act. If 
adopted, this proposed exemption would affect the participants and 
beneficiaries of the plans involved in such transactions and the 
fiduciaries with respect to such plans.

Summary of Facts and Representations

    The facts and representations contained in the application are 
summarized below. Interested persons are referred to the application on 
file with the Department for the complete representations of the 
Applicants.
    1. DB is a German banking corporation and a leading commercial 
bank. DB provides a wide range of banking, fiduciary, record keeping, 
custodial, brokerage, and investment services to corporations, 
institutions, governments, employee benefit plans, governmental 
retirement plans, and private investors worldwide. As of December 31, 
2004, DB had total assets of over 840 billion euros and shareholders' 
equity equaling 25.9 billion euros. Deutsche Bank's Institutional Asset 
Management Division had 3,722 customers in 2004 and was ranked among 
the top five asset managers in the world. DB is regulated by the 
Bundesanstalt fuer inanzdienstleistungsaufsicht in Germany.
    2. The Applicants seek a new exemption which would amend an 
existing individual exemption, PTE 2003-24. PTE 2003-24 deals with the 
situation where an asset manager purchases securities acting as a 
fiduciary on behalf of employee benefit plans, including plans invested 
in pooled funds maintained by the asset manager or an affiliate, from 
any person other than the asset manager or an affiliate during the 
existence of an underwriting or selling syndicate with respect to such 
securities: (i) Where the asset manager's affiliate is a manager or a 
member of the underwriting syndicate for such securities; and/or (ii) 
where a trustee affiliated with the asset manager serves as trustee of 
a trust that issues asset-backed securities.
    3. DB and its affiliates initially requested an effective date of 
August 14, 2003, for the proposed exemption. In this regard, August 14, 
2003, is the date that the Department published in the Federal Register 
the final exemption for PTE 2003-24. Subsequently, DB notified the 
Department that it does not require retroactive relief and withdrew the 
request. Accordingly, if this proposed exemption is granted, the final 
exemption, will be effective as of the date such final exemption is 
published in the Federal Register.
    4. The proposed exemption, if granted, will supersede PTE 2003-24 
with regard to DB and its affiliates and will apply to DB and its 
affiliates only. It is the Department's position that the relief 
provided by PTE 2003-24 will remain available to JPMorgan Chase Bank, 
provided the conditions set forth therein are satisfied by JPMorgan 
Chase Bank.
    5. The Applicants have requested that the proposed exemption be 
applicable only to DB, its current and future branches, and its current 
and future affiliates and subsidiaries, throughout the world.
    With regard to current and future branches of DB, it is the 
Department's opinion that any reference to DB in the proposed exemption 
would include a reference to the current and future branches of DB. 
With regard to the current and future affiliates of DB, it is the 
Department's position that the proposed exemption would include any 
current or future affiliate of DB that satisfies the definition of the 
term, ``affiliate,'' as set forth in Section III(c) of the proposed 
exemption.
    6. The description of covered transactions, as set forth in PTE 
2003-24, rather than refer individually to DB and its affiliates, and/
or to JPMorgan Chase Bank, refers instead to an Asset Manager. The 
term, ``Asset Manager,'' as defined in Section II(a) of PTE 2003-24, 
means ``any asset management affiliate of the Applicants (as 
``affiliate'' is defined in paragraph (c)) that meets the requirements 
of this exemption.'' To make clear that the proposed exemption applies 
only to DB and its affiliates, the Department has throughout the 
proposed exemption substituted the phrase, ``an asset management 
affiliate of DB,'' instead of the words, ``Asset Manager,'' which 
appeared in PTE 2003-24. In addition, in this proposed exemption the 
Department has deleted the definition of the term, ``Asset Manager,'' 
as set forth in Section II(a) of PTE 2003-24, and has substituted 
instead in Section III(a) of the proposed exemption a definition of the 
term, ``Advised Fund(s).''
    7. The Applicants request relief for situations where DB or an 
affiliate has discretionary authority over the assets of a common or 
collective trust fund or a pooled investment fund as an advisor or as a 
sub-advisor.
    The Department has determined to provide additional exemptive 
relief and to require additional safeguards with respect to the 
transactions described herein. In this regard, the proposed exemption 
provides relief for AUT and/or ATT transactions engaged in by common or 
collective funds or pooled investment funds maintained by an asset 
management affiliate of DB. The proposed exemption also provides relief 
for AUT and ATT transactions engaged in by common or collective funds 
or pooled investment funds which are established and maintained by an 
Appointing Fiduciary, as defined in Section III(m). Such Appointing 
Fiduciary must have the power to appoint and terminate an asset 
management affiliate of DB to exercise discretionary control or 
discretionary authority over the management or disposition of some or 
all of the assets of plans in such fund, or to render investment 
advice, as described in section 3(21)(A)(ii) of the Act with respect to 
some or all of the assets of such fund. However, the Department did not 
propose relief for AUT and/or ATT transactions in situations engaged in 
by a common or collective trust fund or pooled investment fund in which 
employee benefit plan(s) subject to the Act and/or Code invest, which 
is established and maintained by an Appointing Fiduciary but for which 
an entity, other than the Appointing Fiduciary, has selected an asset 
management affiliate of DB to exercise discretionary control or 
discretionary authority over the management or disposition of plan 
assets or to render investment advice, as described in section 
3(21)(A)(ii) of the Act with respect to some or all of the assets of 
such fund and for which such entity serves as a fiduciary. In addition 
to the foregoing, the proposed exemption does not apply to any AUT and 
ATT transactions involving plan assets which are invested in certain 
multi-tiered pooled arrangements. In this regard, if a common or 
collective trust fund or other pooled investment fund (except for a 
Master Trust, as defined, below, in Section III(o)) containing the 
assets of employee benefit plans(s) subject to the Act and/or the Code, 
invests, directly or indirectly, some or all such plan assets in 
another Pooled Fund, as defined, below, in Section III(f), or in an 
Advised Fund, as defined, in this Section III(a), then the exemption 
does not apply to any AUT or ATT transactions engaged in by such Pooled 
Fund or such Advised Fund.
    8. The Applicants request that the definition of ``Pooled Fund,'' 
be expanded in the proposed exemption. Specifically, the Applicants 
request that Section III(f) of the proposed exemption should read as 
follows:

    The term, ``Pooled Fund,'' means a common or collective trust 
fund or pooled investment fund maintained, advised or sub-advised by 
the Asset Manager.


[[Page 6758]]


    The Department has decided not to accept the Applicants' suggestion 
to expand of definition of the term, ``Pooled Fund'' to include funds 
advised or sub-advised by DB or its affiliate. Instead, the Department 
has adopted the definition of ``Pooled Fund,'' as set forth in Section 
III(f) of the proposed exemption.
    9. As discussed above, the Department has determined to propose 
relief for situations where DB or an affiliate exercises discretionary 
control or discretionary authority over the management or disposition 
of some or all of the assets of employee benefit plans subject to the 
Act and/or Code invested in a common or collective trust funds or 
pooled investment funds or renders investment advice, as described in 
section 3(21)(A)(ii) of the Act with respect to some or all of the 
assets of such fund which is established and maintained by an entity 
other than DB or its affiliates. In this regard, the Department has 
introduced the term, ``Advised Fund,'' and has adopted the definition 
of the term, ``Advised Fund,'' as set forth in Section III(a) of the 
proposed exemption.
    10. In the view of the Department, the definition of the term, 
``Appointing Fiduciary,'' applies to the individual or entity that 
selects DB or an affiliate as an advisor but does not apply to the 
individual or entity that selects DB or an affiliate to serve as a sub-
advisor. Accordingly, the Department has adopted the language, as set 
forth in Section III(m) of the proposed exemption which defines the 
term, ``Appointing Fiduciary.'' The definition also describes the 
independence of the Appointing Fiduciary. With regard to the 
qualifications of the Appointing Fiduciary, the Department believes 
that the Appointing Fiduciary must have been in continuous operation 
for not less than three years, including the operation of any 
predecessors. Further, the Department has determined that the 
Appointing Fiduciary must qualify as a ``qualified professional asset 
manager'' (QPAM), as that term is defined under Part V(a) of PTE 84-14. 
In addition, the Appointing Fiduciary must have total client asset 
under its management and control in excess of $5 billion, as of the 
last day of it most recent fiscal year and shareholders' or partners' 
equity in excess of $1 million, as set forth in Section II(m), whether 
such Appointing Fiduciary, qualifies as a QPAM, pursuant to Part 
V(a)(1), V(a)(2), V(a)(3) or V(a)(4) of PTE 84-14.
    11. The Applicants request that the Appointing Fiduciary be 
permitted to receive disclosures and to consent to the covered 
transactions on behalf of a fund that is not maintained by DB or an 
affiliate.
    The Department has limited the definition of Advised Funds to funds 
established and maintained by the Appointing Fiduciary for which DB or 
an affiliate exercises discretionary authority or discretionary control 
over the management or disposition of some or all of the assets of 
plans invested in such fund, or renders investment advice, as described 
in section 3(21)(A)(ii) of the Act with respect to some or all of the 
assets of such fund. Further, the Department has decided that consent 
for an Advised Fund to engage in any covered transaction may not be 
obtained from the Appointing Fiduciary that establishes and maintains 
such Advised Fund. Instead, in the case of existing plan investors or 
Master Trust investors or In-House Plan investors in an Advised Fund, 
Section II(k) of the proposed exemption provides that an Advised Fund 
may not engage in any covered transactions pursuant to this proposed 
exemption, unless the independent fiduciary of such existing plan 
investors, the Master Trustee of such Master Trust investors, or the 
fiduciary of such In-House Plan investors, as the case may be, receive 
certain disclosures and are given the opportunity to withdraw from such 
fund prior to such fund engaging in the covered transactions. Existing 
plan investors, Master Trust investors, or In-House investors that do 
not withdraw within a certain period of time will be deemed to have 
authorized the covered transactions. Further, in the case of plan 
investors, or the Master Trust investors, or In-House Plan investors 
whose assets are proposed to be invested in an Advised Fund after such 
fund has begun to engage in the covered transactions, Section II(l) of 
the proposed exemption provides that the Appointing Fiduciary must 
obtain written authorization from the independent fiduciary of each 
such prospective plan investor, from the Master Trustee of each such 
prospective Master Trust investor, and from the fiduciary of each such 
prospective In-House Plan investor after providing such independent 
fiduciary, Master Trustee, or fiduciary of such In-House Plan, as the 
case may be, with certain disclosures prior to investment in such fund 
by such plan, Master Trust, or In-House Plan.
    12. The Department has not provided relief in this proposed 
exemption for funds sub-advised by DB or its affiliates to engage in 
affiliated underwriter transactions or affiliated trustee transactions, 
nor has the Department provided relief in this proposed exemption for 
certain multi-tiered pooled arrangements, as discussed above. The 
Department has determined that the Appointing Fiduciary who establishes 
and maintains the Advised Fund and who selects DB or an affiliate to 
exercise discretionary control or discretionary authority over the 
management or disposition of the assets of plans in such fund or to 
render investment advice, as described in section 3(21)(A)(ii) of the 
Act with respect to some or all of the assets of such fund, must 
contractually obligate itself to distribute the written disclosures and 
reports required by the proposed exemption. In this regard, the 
Department believes that the contractual agreement must bind the 
Appointing Fiduciary to provide not only the disclosures, required by 
Section II(k), but also the disclosures, required by Section II(l).
    Further, the Appointing Fiduciary must be contractually obligated 
to provide the report, required by Section II(n), and must also be 
subject to the requirement of Section II(m) to provide reasonably 
available information regarding the covered transactions upon request. 
Accordingly, the Department has included Section II(u), as set forth in 
the proposed exemption.
    13. The Department has altered the definition of the term, ``Client 
Plan,'' in the proposed exemption. In this regard, in Section II(e) of 
PTE 2003-24, the definition of the term, ``Client Plan,'' reads as 
follows:

    The term ``Client Plan'' means an employee benefit plan that is 
subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of the Act and 
whose assets [sic.] under the management of the Asset Manager, 
including a plan investing in a Pooled Fund (as ``Pooled Fund'' is 
defined in paragraph (f) below).

    The Department has deleted from the definition above, the phrase, 
``including a plan investing in a Pooled Fund (as ``Pooled Fund'' is 
defined in paragraph (f) below).'' In this regard, the Department has 
determined to clarify that the term, ``Client Plan,'' refers only to 
the singular or the plural for such plan(s). With regard to Client 
Plans investing in a Pooled Fund or investing in an Advised Fund, the 
Department has separately made reference to such funds, as appropriate 
in the proposed exemption. The Department has also decided to clarify 
that, in addition to plans subject to the fiduciary responsibility 
provisions of the Act, the term, ``Client Plans,'' includes plans which 
are subject to 4975 of the Code. Accordingly, the Department has 
defined the term, ``Client Plan,'' as set forth in Section III(e) of 
the proposed exemption.

[[Page 6759]]

    14. The Department agrees with the Applicant's request that a 
master trustee may consent on behalf of plans whose assets are pooled 
in a master trust. Specifically, a master trustee may engage in the 
covered transactions on behalf of a master trust or may consent to such 
master trust investing in Pooled Funds and in Advised Funds which 
engage in the covered transactions, provided that such master trustee 
and such master trust satisfy certain definitional requirements. The 
Department has included a definition for the term, ``Master Trust,'' in 
Section III(o) of this proposed exemption.
    Further, the Department has also included a definition of the term, 
``Master Trustee,'' in Section III(n) of this proposed exemption. 
Specifically, among other requirements, this definition of the term, 
``Master Trustee,'' states: (i) that the Master Trustee must be an 
officer, director, partner, employee of an employer or controlled group 
of employers that sponsor such Client Plans or an affiliate of such 
employer or controlled group of employers, and (ii) that the Master 
Trustee must satisfy certain independence, sophistication, and 
experience requirements.
    15. The Department, as discussed more fully below, has made certain 
changes to the net asset requirements, as set forth in Section II(o) of 
the proposed exemption, which will apply to single Client Plans and 
Master Trusts and will apply to Client Plans, Master Trusts, and In-
House Plan whether participating in a Pooled Fund maintained by DB or 
an affiliate or participating in an Advised Fund, as defined herein, 
which is established and maintained by an Appointing Fiduciary, as 
defined herein.
    Under Section I(o) of PTE 2003-24, in order to engage in covered 
transactions, a Client Plan must have total net assets with a value of 
at least $50 million (or in the case of an Eligible Rule 144A Offering, 
total net assets of at least $100 million in securities, as determined 
pursuant to SEC Rule 144A (17 CFR 230.144A)). For Pooled Funds, PTE 
2003-24 contains an exception to the $50 million net asset requirement, 
described above, which, in part, reads, as follows,

    In the case of a Pooled Fund, the $50 million requirement will 
be met, if 50 percent (50%) or more of the units of beneficial 
interest in such Pooled Fund as [sic.] held by plans having total 
net assets with a value of at least $50 million, or if each such 
Client Plan in the Pooled Fund has total assets of at least $50 
million.

    Further, the language in PTE 2003-24 indicates that for purchases 
involving an Eligible Rule 144A Offering on behalf of a Pooled Fund, 
the $100 million requirement is met if 50 percent or more of the units 
of beneficial interest in such Pooled Fund are held by plans having at 
least $100 million in assets, or if each such Client Plan in the Pooled 
Fund has total assets of at least $100 million, and the Pooled Fund 
itself qualifies as a ``QIB,'' as determined pursuant to SEC Rule 144A.
    In the proposed exemption, the Department has made clear that the 
50 percent (50%) exception to the net asset requirement is applicable 
to an Advised Fund, as well as to a Pooled Fund, and also has clarified 
the language of the net asset requirements in the proposed exemption. 
Specifically, the Department has adopted the language, as set forth in 
Section II(o) in the proposed exemption.
    Further, the Department has determined that for purposes of the 50 
percent (50%) exception to the net asset requirement, that government 
plans be considered ``Client Plans'' under the proposed exemption; 
provided that each such government plan has net assets with a value of 
at least $50 million (or in the case of an Eligible Rule 144A Offering, 
$100 million in securities of issuers that are not affiliated with such 
government plan). Accordingly, the Department has adopted the language 
in Section II(o), as set forth in this proposed exemption.
    16. The Department believes that the net asset requirements set 
forth in Section II(o) of this proposed exemption provide an important 
safeguard for the protection of plans which engage in AUT and/or ATT 
transactions, either individually or through a Master Trust, a Pooled 
Fund, or an Advised Fund.
    With regard to an Advised Fund which is established and maintained 
by an entity other than DB, the Department believes that the Appointing 
Fiduciary of such Advised Fund should be contractually obligated, 
pursuant to a written agreement with the asset management affiliate of 
DB, to ensure compliance with Section II(o) of this proposed exemption, 
to maintain records thereto, and to provide written confirmation of 
compliance with the net asset requirements, as set forth in Section 
II(o) of this exemption, upon request from the asset management 
affiliate of DB. In this regard, the Department has modified Section 
II(o) of the proposed exemption accordingly.
    17. The proposed exemption is in the interest of participants and 
beneficiaries of plans that engage in the covered transactions. In this 
regard, it is represented that the proposed exemption will increase 
investment opportunities and will reduce administrative costs for such 
plans.
    18. The proposed exemption will expand the ability of Pooled Funds 
and Advised Funds to participate in the covered transactions. With 
respect to the authorization requirements for Master Trusts, the 
proposed exemption will allow a Master Trustee who acts on behalf of 
the individual plans invested in a Master Trust to approve the covered 
transactions.
    19. The proposed exemption is protective of the rights of the 
participants and beneficiaries of affected plans. In this regard, the 
proposed exemption contains sufficient safeguards that apply to the 
covered transactions engaged in by plan investors under the proposed 
exemption.
    20. In summary, the Applicants represent that the proposed 
exemption satisfies the statutory criteria for an exemption under 
section 408(a) of the Act because:
    (a) The proposed exemption will increase investment opportunities 
and will reduce administrative costs for plans that engage in the 
covered transactions;
    (b) The proposed exemption will expand the ability of Pooled Funds 
and Advised Funds to participate in the covered transactions;
    (c) The proposed exemption recognizes the practical aspects of a 
Master Trustee acting on behalf on each of the plans invested in a 
Master Trust that engages in the covered transactions;
    (d) Prior to engaging in any of the covered transactions, an 
Independent Fiduciary of each plan, (or Master Trustee of each Master 
Trust or fiduciary of each In-House Plan) will receive certain 
disclosures and will be given an opportunity to consent to the covered 
transactions, either through affirmative or negative consent;
    (e) The Independent Fiduciary of each Client Plan (or the Master 
Trustee of each Master Trust or the fiduciary of each In-House Plan) 
will receive periodic reports with respect to all Securities purchased 
pursuant to the proposed exemption;
    (f) Each Client Plan, In-House Plan, Master Trust, Pooled Fund, or 
Advised Fund participating in the covered transactions will be subject 
to certain net asset requirements;
    (g) The asset management affiliate of DB and the Appointing 
Fiduciary must each qualify as a QPAM, in addition to satisfying 
certain additional requirements; and
    (h) The proposed exemption contains sufficient safeguards for the 
protection

[[Page 6760]]

of the rights of the participants and beneficiaries of affected plans.
    Interested persons are referred to application number D-11324 on 
file with the Department for the complete discussion of the facts and 
representations of the Applicants relating to this proposed exemption.
    Copies of all documents with respect to this proposed exemption and 
all documents relating to PTE 2003-24 are available for public 
inspection and may be obtained by interested persons from the Public 
Documents Room, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Room N-1513, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20210.

Notice to Interested Persons

    The Applicants believe that the number of potentially affected 
plans is so large that notice by mailing is impracticable and 
inadequate. Accordingly, the only practical means of notifying such 
plans of this proposed exemption is by the publication of this Notice 
in the Federal Register. Comments and requests for a hearing must be 
received by the Department not later than 30 days from the date of 
publication of this Notice in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angelena C. Le Blanc of the 
Department, telephone (202) 693-8540. (This is not a toll-free number).

Kern County Electrical Pension Trust (the Pension Plan); Kern County 
Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Trust (the Apprenticeship 
Plan); Kern County Electrical Health and Welfare Plan (the Welfare 
Plan) \4\ and The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 
Union 428 (the Local Union), Located in Bakersfield, California
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The Apprenticeship Plan, the Pension Plan, and the Welfare 
Plan are, herein, collectively referred to as the Plans.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Exemption Application Nos: D-11383; L-11384; and D-11385]

Proposed Exemption

    The Department of Labor is considering granting an exemption under 
the authority of section 408(a) of the Act and section 4975(c)(2) of 
the Code and in accordance with procedures set forth in 29 CFR part 
2570, subpart B (55 FR 32836, 32847, August 10, 1990).
Section I: Transactions
    If the proposed exemption is granted:
    (a) the restrictions of sections 406(a)(1) (A) through (D), 
406(b)(1), and 406(b)(2) of the Act and the sanctions resulting from 
the application of section 4975 of the Code, by reason of section 
4975(c)(1) (A) through (E) \5\ shall not apply to the sale by the 
Pension Plan of a parcel of unimproved real property (Parcel 
1) to the Local Union, a party in interest with respect to the 
Pension Plan; provided that the conditions in Section II (a), (d), (f), 
(h), and (i), as set forth below, are satisfied;
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    \5\ For purposes of this proposed exemption, references to 
specific provisions of Title I of the Act, unless otherwise 
specified, refer also to the corresponding provisions of the Code.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) the restrictions of sections 406(a)(1) (A) through (D), 
406(b)(1), and 406(b)(2) of the Act and the sanctions resulting from 
the application of section 4975 of the Code, by reason of section 
4975(c)(1) (A) through (E) shall not apply to the sale to the 
Apprenticeship Plan by the Pension Plan of a parcel of unimproved real 
property (Parcel 2) which is adjacent to Parcel 1; 
provided that the conditions in Section II (b), (c), (e), (g), (h), 
(i), and (j), as set forth below, are satisfied; and
    (c) the restrictions of sections 406(a)(1) (A) through (D), 
406(b)(1), and 406(b)(2) of the Act and the sanctions resulting from 
the application of section 4975 of the Code, by reason of section 
4975(c)(1) (A) through (E) of the Act shall not apply to the lease (the 
Lease) by the Apprenticeship Plan of office space (the Premises) in a 
training facility (the Training Center) to be constructed by the 
Apprenticeship Plan on (Parcel 2) to Construction Benefits 
Administration, Inc. (CBA), a party in interest with respect to the 
Plans, as service provider, whose directors are also trustees of the 
Plans and officers of the Local Union; provided that the conditions in 
Section II (i), (k), (l), (m), (n), and (o), as set forth below, are 
satisfied.
Section II: Conditions
    The relief proposed, herein, is conditioned upon the adherence to 
the material facts and representations set forth in the application 
files and upon compliance with the conditions, as set forth in this 
proposed exemption.
    (a) The sale by the Pension Plan of Parcel 1 to the Local 
Union is a one-time transaction for cash;
    (b) The sale by the Pension Plan of Parcel 2 to the 
Apprenticeship Plan is a one-time transaction for cash;
    (c) An independent, qualified fiduciary (the I/F), acting on behalf 
of the Apprenticeship Plan:
    (1) after negotiating, reviewing, and analyzing the terms of the 
purchase of Parcel 2, approves such purchase by the 
Apprenticeship Plan;
    (2) after negotiating, reviewing, and analyzing the construction of 
the Training Center on Parcel 2, approves the construction of 
the Training Center by the Apprenticeship Plan;
    (3) determines that the acquisition of Parcel 2 and the 
construction of the Training Center by the Apprenticeship Plan would be 
feasible, in the interest of, and protective of the Apprenticeship Plan 
and its participants and beneficiaries; and
    (4) is responsible for monitoring compliance with the terms and 
condition of this exemption and the terms and conditions of the 
acquisition of Parcel 2 and the construction of the Training 
Center by the Apprenticeship Plan;
    (d) The purchase price paid by the Local Union for Parcel 
1 is equal to the fair market value of such parcel, as 
determined by an independent, qualified appraiser, as of the date of 
the sale;
    (e) The purchase price paid by the Apprenticeship Plan for Parcel 
2 is equal to the fair market value of such parcel, as 
determined by an independent, qualified appraiser, as of the date of 
the sale;
    (f) The terms of the sale by the Pension Plan of Parcel 1 
to the Local Union are no less favorable to the Pension Plan than terms 
negotiated under similar circumstances at arm's length with unrelated 
third parties;
    (g) The terms of the sale by the Pension Plan of Parcel 2 
to the Apprenticeship Plan are no less favorable to the Pension Plan 
and no less favorable to the Apprenticeship Plan than terms negotiated 
under similar circumstances at arm's length with unrelated third 
parties;
    (h) The Plans will not provide any construction financing or 
permanent financing to the Local Union in connection with the 
acquisition by the Local Union of Parcel 1 and the 
construction of a building on Parcel 1 (the Union Building) by 
the Local Union, nor will the Pension Plan, the Welfare Plan, or the 
Local Union provide any construction financing or permanent financing 
to the Apprenticeship Plan in connection with the acquisition by the 
Apprenticeship Plan of Parcel 2 and the construction of the 
Training Center on Parcel 2 by the Apprenticeship Plan;
    (i) The Plans will not pay any commissions, fees, or other similar 
payments to any party in connection with any of the subject 
transactions;
    (j) The terms of any loan from an unrelated third party obtained by 
the Apprenticeship Plan for the purpose of acquiring Parcel 2 
or constructing the

[[Page 6761]]

Training Center provides recourse to such unrelated third party lender 
only against the Apprenticeship Plan's interest in Parcel 2 
and not against the general assets of the Apprenticeship Plan;
    (k) Prior to entering into the Lease, the I/F, acting on behalf of 
the Apprenticeship Plan, determines that the leasing transaction is 
feasible, in the interest of, and protective of the Apprenticeship Plan 
and its participants and beneficiaries; and approves the leasing 
transaction in accordance with the fiduciary provisions of the Act;
    (l) Throughout the duration of the Lease, the I/F, acting on behalf 
of the Apprenticeship Plan, monitors compliance with the terms and 
conditions of the Lease, ensures that such terms and conditions are at 
all times satisfied, and is responsible for legally enforcing the 
payment of the rent and the proper performance by CBA under the terms 
of the Lease and for taking any and all steps necessary to ensure that 
the Apprenticeship Plan is protected, including but not limited to 
reviewing, negotiating, and approving the initial Lease and any 
amendment, renewal, or extension of such Lease;
    (m) Under the provisions of the Lease, the leasing transaction is 
at all times on terms that are at least as favorable to the 
Apprenticeship Plan and to CBA, as terms that would have been 
negotiated under similar circumstances at arm's length with unrelated 
third parties;
    (n) The rental rate under the terms of the initial Lease and under 
the terms of any amendment, renewal, or extension of the Lease, is 
adjusted at least every three (3) years in which such Lease is in 
effect, and the rental rate reflects the fair market rental value of 
the Premises, as determined by an independent, qualified appraiser; and
    (o) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Lease, the 
Apprenticeship Plan may at any time upon ninety (90) days prior written 
notice given to CBA, terminate the Lease and CBA's occupancy of the 
Premises, effective as of the date specified in such written notice, 
which date shall be at least ninety (90) days after the date such 
written notice is given to CBA.

Summary of Facts and Representations

    1. The Pension Plan, the Apprenticeship Plan, and the Welfare Plan 
are Taft-Hartley governed multi-employer plans established and 
maintained under a collective bargaining agreement between the Local 
Union and various electrical contractors who are members of the 
National Electrical Contractors Association, Bakersfield Chapter, Inc. 
(NECA).
    2. The Pension Plan is a defined benefit pension plan located in 
Bakersfield, California. The Pension Plan was established in 1964. The 
Pension Plan has approximately 849 plan participants, both active and 
retired. As of April 2006, the Pension Plan had assets with a value of 
$75,445,820. The fair market value of the Property which is the subject 
of this exemption constitutes 1.4 percent (1.4%) of the assets of the 
Pension Plan.
    3. The Apprenticeship Plan is an employee welfare benefit plan 
located in Bakersfield, California. The Apprenticeship Plan was 
established in 1962. The Apprenticeship Plan is designed to provide 
programs to recruit and train electrical workers and to provide 
continuing education for journeymen.
    It is represented that currently, the Apprenticeship Plan offers 
training to between 80 to 105 apprentices on an annual basis. The 
Apprenticeship Plan operates a five-year program for inside wiremen 
apprentices which is approved and regulated by the Division of 
Industrial Relations in the State of California. In addition, the 
Apprenticeship Plan also provides a three-year training program to 
apprentices in voice-data-video.
    The Apprenticeship Plan also offers training to between 50 to 100 
journeymen on an annual basis. In this regard, journeymen receive 
training in instrumentation, PLC, advanced motor controls, advanced 
conduit bending, National Electrical Code, certification prep classes, 
as well as OSHA training and welding from the Apprenticeship Plan.
    As of April 30, 2006, the Apprenticeship Plan had assets with a 
value of $2,762,025. The fair market value of Parcel 2, if 
acquired by the Apprenticeship Plan, would constitute approximately 
9.29 percent (9.29%) of the assets of such plan. It is represented that 
the preliminary budget, including the cost of acquiring Parcel 
2 and the cost of constructing the Training Center is 
$2,143,400 dollars which amount would constitute approximately 77.6 
percent (77.6%) of the assets of the Apprenticeship Plan.
    4. The Welfare Plan is an employee welfare benefit plan located in 
Bakersfield, California. The Welfare Plan is designed to provide health 
and welfare benefits to participants. The Welfare Plan has 
approximately 406 plan participants. As of September 30, 2006, the 
Welfare Plan had assets with a value of $2,452,435.
    5. The Pension Plan is managed by a Board of Trustees (the Pension 
Board). The members of the Pension Board are parties in interest and 
fiduciaries with respect to the Pension Plan, pursuant to section 
3(14)(A) of the Act. The Pension Board consists of six (6) individuals 
with three (3) members selected by the Local Union and three (3) 
members selected by NECA.
    The Apprenticeship Plan is managed by a Board of Trustees (the 
Apprenticeship Board). The members of the Apprenticeship Board are 
parties in interest and fiduciaries with respect to the Apprenticeship 
Plan, pursuant to section 3(14)(A) of the Act. The Apprenticeship Board 
consists of six (6) individuals with three (3) members selected by the 
Local Union and three (3) members selected by NECA.
    The Welfare Plan is managed by a Board of Trustees (the Welfare 
Board). The members of the Welfare Board are parties in interest and 
fiduciaries with respect to the Welfare Plan, pursuant to section 
3(14)(A) of the Act. The Welfare Board consists of six (6) individuals 
with three (3) members selected by the Local Union and three (3) 
members selected by NECA.
    It is represented that the same six (6) individuals serve on the 
Pension Board, the Apprenticeship Board, and the Welfare Board. The 
members of the Pension Board, the Apprenticeship Board, and the Welfare 
Board that have been selected by NECA are James A. Chilko, Carl 
Jarrett, and Rodney Bailey. Mr. Chilko is employed by NECA and is the 
business director of the Pension Fund. Mr. Jarrett is a self-employed 
electrical contractor. Mr. Bailey is a non-bargaining participant in 
the Pension Plan and a self-employed electrical contractor.
    The members of the Pension Board, the Apprenticeship Board, and the 
Welfare Board that have been selected by the Local Union are Don Rush, 
Danny Kane, and Jim S. Elrod. Mr. Kane, Mr. Elrod, and Mr. Rush are 
members of the Local Union and also participants in both the Pension 
Plan and the Apprenticeship Plan. Mr. Kane is an elected, paid official 
of the Local Union and serves in the capacity as business director. Mr. 
Elrod is the training director of the Apprenticeship Plan, President of 
the Local Union, and is employed by the Local Union as business agent. 
Mr. Rush is employed by various electrical contractors who are 
signatory to a collective bargaining agreement with the Local Union and 
works for an hourly wage in the trade.
    6. The Local Union was chartered in 1903. It is represented that 
the Local Union currently has approximately 515 members. The members of 
the Local Union are covered by the Pension Plan, the Apprenticeship 
Plan, and the

[[Page 6762]]

Welfare Plan. As an employee organization any of whose members are 
covered by the Pension Plan, the Apprenticeship Plan, and the Welfare 
Plan, the Local Union is a party in interest with respect each of these 
Plans, pursuant to section 3(14)(D) of the Act.
    The organizational structure of the Local Union is typical of most 
electrical unions. The business manager is elected by the general 
membership and functions as the CEO. The business manager appoints 
business agents to assist him in his duties. The President, Vice 
President, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer of the Local Union are 
also elected by the general membership along with an Executive Board. 
The Executive Board is composed of members of the Local Union. The 
Executive Board handles disciplinary matters, operations, and finances 
of the Local Union.
    7. The Pension Plan owns real estate (the Property) located at the 
corner of Sillect Avenue and Arrow Street in an incorporated area of 
central Bakersfield, California, within the Rio Mirada Industrial Park 
(the Industrial Park). The Industrial Park totals approximately 120 
acres. It is represented that the Industrial Park is approximately 80 
percent (80%) to 85 percent (85%) built out. The size of the remaining 
parcels in the Industrial Park typically range from two (2) to fifteen 
(15) acres and are held by individual investors. Existing uses within 
the Industrial Park consist of light manufacturing, office-warehouse, 
and commercial office uses.
    The Property which is the subject of this proposed exemption is 
vacant and unimproved. The Property is zoned for light manufacturing, 
professional office, and neighborhood commercial and general commercial 
uses in conformity with surrounding development.
    The Property comprises an area of 7.95 acres. The Property 
originally comprised 29.04 acres and was purchased by the Pension Plan 
in August of 1988, at a price of $1,581,772 from an unrelated third 
party. It is represented that since 1988 a majority of the Property has 
been sold to various unrelated third parties. It is represented that 
the Pension Plan now retains title to only 7.95 acres of the original 
29.04 acres. It is represented that although the remaining portion of 
the Property has been actively marketed over the years, no dispositions 
have resulted.
    8. The Pension Plan and the Local Union have requested an 
administrative exemption which would permit the Pension Plan to sell a 
portion of the Property (Parcel 1), consisting of 6.05 acres 
to the Local Union. It is anticipated that the Local Union will 
construct the Union Building, consisting of a 10,000 square foot office 
building and meeting hall, on approximately 1.5 acres of the 6.05 acres 
of Parcel 1 to be acquired by the Local Union from the Pension 
Plan. The Local Union intends to hold the remaining 4.55 acres of 
Parcel 1 for investment purposes.
    9. The Pension Plan and the Apprenticeship Plan have also requested 
an administrative exemption which would permit the Pension Plan to sell 
to the Apprenticeship Plan a portion of the Property (Parcel 
2), consisting of 1.9 acres, of the remaining 7.95 acres of 
the Property owned by the Pension Plan. It is anticipated that the 
Apprenticeship Plan will build a new 15,000 square foot Training Center 
on Parcel 2.
    As discussed more fully below, the aggregate fair market value of 
the entire 7.9 acre Property has been determined to be $1,074,000. The 
Local Union will pay a purchase price for Parcel 1 of $816,968 
or $3.10 per square foot. The Apprenticeship Plan will pay a purchase 
price for Parcel 2 of $256,568 or $3.10 per square foot. Based 
on these figures, it is represented that the Local Union and the 
Apprenticeship Plan will pay 76.2 percent (76.2%) and 23.8 percent 
(23.8%), respectively of the fair market value of the Property.
    10. It is represented that the purchase price to be paid for Parcel 
1 by the Local Union to the Pension Plan and the purchase 
price to be paid for Parcel 2 by the Apprenticeship Plan to 
the Pension Plan will be the fair market value of each such parcel, as 
determined by an independent, qualified appraiser, as of the date each 
of the proposed sale transactions is entered.
    The application files contain an appraisal report, dated February 
23, 2005, of the fair market value of a fee simple interest in the 
Property in ``as is'' condition. This appraisal report was prepared by 
Michael C. Burger (Mr. Burger), MAI, of Michael Burger & Associates in 
Bakersfield, California. Mr. Burger is qualified to appraise the 
Property in that since 1987 he has engaged in appraising all types of 
real estate, including single family homes, apartments, agricultural, 
commercial and industrial properties, and right-of-way properties. Mr. 
Burger holds an MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute. Mr. 
Burger is registered with the State of California, as a Certified 
General Real Estate Appraiser.
    Mr. Burger is independent in that he has no present or prospective 
interest in the Property and no personal interest or bias with respect 
to the parties involved in the subject transactions. In addition, Mr. 
Burger's assignment and compensation were not contingent upon 
developing or reporting a predetermined value or direction in value. 
Less than one percent (1%) of Mr. Burger's gross income is from 
business with the Union and the Plans.
    In his February 23, 2005, appraisal report, Mr. Burger represents 
that he previously appraised the Property on December 31, 2001, for the 
Pension Plan. In narrating the marketing history of the Property, Mr. 
Burger states that the Property has been on and off the market within 
the last several years. In this regard, according to Mr. Burger, the 
Property was listed in January 28, 1998, for $949,000 and was taken off 
the market in January 4, 1999. The Property was re-listed in October 
14, 2000, for $948,000. As of February 23, 2005, the Property was 
listed for $1,250,000 or $3.61 per square foot, which in the opinion of 
Mr. Burger was excessive.
    After inspecting the Property, and based only on the sales 
comparison approach to value, Mr. Burger determined that, as of 
February 23, 2005, the fair market value of the Property was $952,000 
or $2.75 per square foot. Subsequently, in a letter dated June 15, 
2005, Mr. Burger updated the February 23, 2005, appraisal report of the 
fair market value of the Property, based on two (2) new comparable 
sales in the area. In this regard, as of June 15, 2005, Mr. Burger 
estimated that the fair market value of the Property was $1,040,000 or 
$3.00 per square foot.
    11. It is represented that the proposed purchase of Parcel 
1 by the Local Union and the proposed purchase of Parcel 
2 by the Apprenticeship Plan are feasible in that each 
purchase will be a one-time transaction for cash. Further, neither the 
Pension Plan nor the Apprenticeship Plan will pay any commissions, 
sales fees, or other similar payments to any party in connection with 
the subject transactions.
    12. It is represented that the proposed sale of the Property is in 
the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the Pension Plan. 
In this regard, it is represented that the Pension Plan will benefit 
from additional cash proceeds from the sale of Parcel 1 to the 
Local Union and the sale of Parcel 2 to the Apprenticeship 
Plan. Further, the Pension Plan will be divesting itself of the 
Property which will reduce the percentage of the Pension Plan's 
portfolio dedicated to illiquid, undeveloped real estate. It is 
represented that such divestiture will help the Pension Plan meet its 
investment goals.
    13. It is represented that the proposed purchase of Parcel 
2 by the Apprenticeship Plan, the construction

[[Page 6763]]

of the Training Center, and the leasing of the Premises in the Training 
Center to CBA is protective of the Apprenticeship Plan, because 
American Realty Advisors (ARA) has been retained to serve as the I/F to 
act on behalf of the Apprenticeship Plan. In general, ARA, acting as 
the I/F, has acknowledged that it is acting as a fiduciary under the 
Act with regard to all decision making responsibility for the 
Apprenticeship Plan, including the purchase of Parcel 2, the 
development of Parcel 2, the construction of the Training 
Center on Parcel 2, and any leasing arrangements of space in 
such Training Center.
    It is represented that ARA is qualified to serve as the I/F, in 
that since 1988 when it was founded, ARA has developed significant 
expertise in property acquisition and disposition, acting as an 
independent fiduciary on behalf of Taft-Hartley clients. Specifically, 
ARA represents that it has acted on behalf of more than 200 multi-
employer clients and has been involved as the fiduciary investment 
manager under the Act in real estate transactions worth over $3 
billion. ARA assumes and acknowledges its status as a fiduciary for its 
plan clients, as defined in section 3(21)(A) of the Act. ARA has 
completed numerous assignments as a QPAM and satisfies all of the 
requirements of a QPAM, as defined in PTCE 84-14. In addition, ARA is a 
registered investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission.
    It is represented that ARA is independent in that it has no 
business or personal relationship with any of the parties to the 
subject transactions. In addition ARA is independent in that amounts 
paid or to be paid to ARA by the Apprenticeship Plan constitute less 
than one percent (1%) of ARA's gross annual revenues in the year that 
the subject transactions are entered.
    With regard to the purchase of Parcel 2 by the 
Apprenticeship Plan, ARA evaluated the appraisal reports submitted by 
Mr. Burger, dated February 23, 2005, and June 15, 2005. In the opinion 
of ARA, given the fact that the Property is vacant land, Mr. Burger's 
use of only the sales comparable approach in arriving at the value of 
the Property in both appraisals is appropriate, as the cost and income 
approaches to value are not warranted for this type of real estate. It 
is represented by ARA that although Mr. Burger considered the entire 
site in the valuation, as opposed to only the portion of the Property 
to be purchased by the Apprenticeship Plan, uniform conditions exist 
throughout the site.
    However, with regard to the February 23, 2005 appraisal report 
prepared by Mr. Burger, in the opinion of ARA, the sales price per 
square foot appears to be overstated in three of the five comparables, 
while in two of the five comparables the sales price per square foot 
appears to be understated. With regard to the updated appraisal report 
of June 15, 2005, prepared by Mr. Burger, ARA states that it is 
difficult to tell whether the comparable sales had closed at the prices 
stated in such report. In conclusion, ARA has determined that the fair 
market value of the Property, as of March 10, 2006, was $1,074,000 or 
$3.10 per square foot.
    Included in its duties as the I/F, ARA is responsible for providing 
a written report to the Department. In preparing the written report for 
the Department, ARA represents that it: (a) Collected all available 
information from the Apprenticeship Plan, including financial 
information; (b) visited the Property, as well as visited the 
Apprenticeship Plan's existing training facility; (c) interviewed 
various individuals, including the training director of the 
Apprenticeship Plan, the business director of the Pension Fund, the 
business director of the Local Union, CBA, the Pension Plan's real 
estate broker, several other real estate brokers, and an attorney; (d) 
evaluated both of the appraisals reports prepared by Mr. Burger of the 
fair market value of the Property; (e) evaluated the real estate market 
to determine land values, rents, and values for comparable properties 
in the market; (f) evaluated the Property in terms of zoning, setback 
requirements, site coverage, covenants, conditions, and restrictions, 
access, and location for the purpose of assessing the value of the 
Property in relation to the needs of the Apprenticeship Plan; (g) 
reviewed all development drawings and documented discussions pertaining 
to the development of the Property; (h) derived a value for the 
Property on a per square foot basis; (i) evaluated the potential 
development costs of Parcel 2; (j) evaluated the development 
feasibility of Parcel 2; (k) evaluated the financial capacity 
of the Apprenticeship Plan to potentially acquire and proceed with the 
development of Parcel 2; (l) determined whether the proposed 
acquisition and development of Parcel 2 is in the best 
interests of the beneficiaries of the Apprenticeship Plan; (m) 
determined whether the proposed acquisition and development of Parcel 
2 is feasible and protective of the Apprenticeship Plan; and 
(n) provided an opinion on whether the Apprenticeship Plan should 
acquire and develop Parcel 2.
    Further, ARA represents that it will perform the following tasks if 
the proposed exemption is granted: (a) Monitor the acquisition of 
Parcel 2 through completion; (b) engage, if necessary, a Phase 
I Environmental Site Assessment of Parcel 2; (c) engage, if 
necessary, a survey of Parcel 2; (d) obtain a preliminary 
title report for Parcel 2 with copies of all title exceptions; 
(e) evaluate any legal or title issues relating to Parcel 2; 
(f) review and evaluate any and all architectural drawings; and (g) 
review and evaluate all the financial statements of the Apprenticeship 
Plan on an ongoing basis through the development of Parcel 2. 
In addition, ARA represents that the sales contract will be made 
contingent upon obtaining a satisfactory Geotechnical Analysis of 
Parcel 2 which confirms the suitability of the soil for 
development.
    14. In fullfilling its duties as the I/F, ARA evaluated the 
existing Apprenticeship Plan training facility to help ascertain the 
amount and type of space needed for the new Training Center. In this 
regard, ARA represents that the existing facility of the Apprenticeship 
Plan consists of two (2) buildings (Building A and Building B; 
collectively the Existing Buildings) located, respectively, at 401 and 
325 19th Street in Bakersfield, California. Building A, constructed in 
1967, contains approximately 4,500 square feet. Building B, constructed 
in 1962, contains approximately 4,300 square feet, for a combined total 
of 8,800 square feet.
    ARA represents that the Existing Buildings are inadequate for the 
following reasons: (a) The Existing Buildings are functionally 
inadequate due to small classroom size and layout, given that training 
needs have changed over time; (b) the Existing Buildings are over 30 
years old and exhibit major wear; (c) upgrading the Existing Buildings 
is not feasible due to the small size of the underlying land area and 
the functional obsolescence of the Existing Buildings; (d) the Existing 
Buildings have 28 parking spaces which are inadequate for the number of 
apprentices using such buildings, especially during times of outdoor 
training where a portion of the parking lot is occupied by a trailer 
that accommodates the training activities; (e) the classroom space in 
the Existing Buildings enables only a small number of students per 
class and also requires significant ``clean-up'' time to reorganize 
class materials at the end of every class; (f) there is limited shop

[[Page 6764]]

space in the Existing Buildings, requiring daily that equipment used in 
certain activities must be moved to accommodate training with other 
equipment; (g) the Existing Buildings have inadquate ventilation and 
lack of air conditioning in the shop areas; (h) the Existing Buildings 
lack storage areas which results in equipment and learning materials 
being placed in any available open area, only to be moved to 
accommodate training; and (i) the location of the Existing Buildings is 
no longer as close to the pool of potential apprentices as such 
buildings once were.
    The architectural firm of Ordiz Melby Architects Inc. has provided 
preliminary drawings containing options for the layout and design of 
the new Training Center to be constructed for the Apprenticeship Plan 
on Parcel 2. It is represented that no detailed drawings of 
such Training Center have been finalized due to the fact that ARA 
believes it is not in the best interest of the Apprenticeship Plan to 
expend significant additional costs prior to obtaining a final 
exemption.
    ARA has also prepared a preliminary development budget for the new 
Training Center. ARA considered the cost of acquiring Parcel 
2, as well as construction costs for the Training Center. In 
this regard, ARA has as a preliminary matter budgeted a total project 
cost of $2,143,400 for the acquisition of Parcel 2 and the 
construction of the Training Center.
    ARA has reviewed income statements for the Apprenticeship Plan for 
the past five years, as well as the most recent balance sheet, dated 
July 31, 2006. In the opinion of ARA the Apprenticeship Plan has 
sufficient assets to acquire Parcel 2 and to construct the new 
Training Center. In this regard, ARA represents that approximately 
$2,500,000 of the total assets of the Apprenticeship Plan are being 
held in cash. ARA notes that the Apprenticeship Plan will obtain a cash 
inflow when the Existing Buildings are sold. In the opinion of ARA, a 
reasonable value estimate for both of the Existing Buildings ranges 
from $300,000 to $400,000 or $35 to $45 per square foot based on 
approximately 8,800 square feet.
    ARA represents that net income of the Apprenticeship Plan for July 
31, 2006, totaled approximately $53,000 with year-to-date income of 
approximately $133,000. Further, ARA represents that operating expenses 
for the Apprenticeship Plan totaled approximately $33,000 for July 31, 
2006, and $241,000 year-to-date.
    It is represented that labor and management agreed several years 
ago to an increased hourly assessment for the Apprenticeship Plan so 
that funds could be accumulated for the construction of the new 
Training Center. For this reason, a significant cash balance is being 
held by the Apprenticeship Plan. In the opinion of ARA, this balance is 
more than adequate to construct the new Training Center without the 
Apprenticeship Plan incurring any debt. Further, in the opinion of ARA, 
the hourly contributions are now far more than adequate to operate the 
Apprenticeship Plan. Further, according to ARA, the Apprenticeship Plan 
is expected to be in a solid financial footing even after investing the 
majority of its cash reserves in the new Training Center.
    In summary, ARA collected, reviewed, and evaluated all available 
information on Parcel 2, financial information from the 
Apprenticeship Plan, market information pertaining to land and building 
values, as well as evaluated the Apprenticeship Plan's Existing 
Buildings and need for space. ARA also evaluated the potential 
development costs and feasibility of acquiring Parcel 2. ARA 
believes the purchase price of Parcel 2 is reflective of 
current market conditions and represents a fair market price. To 
maintain efficient operations while accommodating the growth of the 
Apprenticeship Plan, it is ARA's opinion that it is in the best 
interest of the Apprenticeship Plan and its participants and 
beneficiaries, to develop Parcel 2, since the transaction is 
reflective of the market and it is unlikely that a less costly and 
equally beneficial solution can be found. It is ARA's judgment that the 
acquisition of Parcel 2 and the construction of a Training 
Center would be beneficial to the participants and beneficiaries of the 
Apprenticeship Plan. ARA has determined that the development of Parcel 
2 is within the financial capacity of the Apprenticeship Plan 
and would be protective of the Apprenticeship Plan in this regard. 
Accordingly, ARA recommends the acquisition and development of Parcel 
2 and will oversee and monitor all aspects of the sale of 
Parcel 2 and the construction of the new Training Center.
    15. It is represented that the proposed purchase of Parcel 
2 and the development of Parcel 2 are in the interest 
of the Apprenticeship Plan. In this regard, it is represented that the 
Apprenticeship Plan will obtain additional space in the new Training 
Center for classroom and training facilities and will obtain room for 
expansion in the future. In this regard, it is represented that the 
increase in population in the Bakersfield area of California and the 
need to train new technologies require an increased capacity in the 
Existing Buildings to accommodate the programs offered by the 
Apprenticeship Plan.
    It is further represented that the Apprenticeship Plan will 
exercise control over the improvements, costs of operation, and 
maintenance of the Training Center to be constructed on Parcel 
2. In this regard, it is represented that the new Training 
Center will incorporate underground conduit systems in shop areas to 
teach wire pulling. The new Training Center will have solar generating 
panels which will be used to teach solar installations. Car swipe 
access systems will be added in the new Training Center to teach new 
security technologies. In addition, various HVAC and lighting controls 
will be offered in order to teach new energy saving systems. Mock-ups 
of actual electrical installations and new shop space will be 
constructed in the Training Center and used for instructional purposes.
    16. The applicants have requested an administrative exemption which 
would permit the Lease between the Apprenticeship Plan and CBA upon 
completion of construction of the Training Center. CBA (formerly, known 
as Kern County Electrical Workers Benefits Administration, Inc.) was 
established in 1977 from seed money from all three Plans, in the amount 
of $5,000 from each of the Plans. It is represented that CBA is 
qualified under California law as a non-profit mutual benefit 
corporation, and as such has no shareholders. It is represented that 
CBA's only asset is office equipment.
    The Board of Directors of CBA (the CBA Board) is composed of the 
same individuals who serve as trustees of the Pension Board, the 
Apprenticeship Board, and the Welfare Board. It is represented that the 
members of the CBA Board receive no compensation for their services.
    CBA provides third party administrator services to each of the 
Plans, pursuant to separate written agreements containing identical 
provisions between each such plan and CBA.\6\ As a service provider to 
the

[[Page 6765]]

Plans, CBA is a party in interest with respect to each of the Plans, 
pursuant to section 3(14)(B) of the Act.
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    \6\ The applicants rely on the relief provided by the statutory 
exemption, pursuant to section 408(b)(2) of the Act for the 
provision of services by CBA to the Plans. The Department, herein, 
is offering no view, as to whether the provisions of services 
rendered to the Plans by CBA is covered by the statutory exempetion 
provided in section 408(b)(2) of the Act and the Department's 
regulations, there-under, pusuant to 29 CFR 2550.408b-2. Further, 
the Department is not providing, herein, any relief with respect to 
the provision of services to the Plans by CBA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CBA employs three (3) individuals to provide record keeping 
services and administrative services to each of the Plans. The wages of 
such employees are paid weekly from CBA's bank account. It is 
represented that the only source of income to CBA is through billing 
each of the Plans for services provided to each such plan. It is 
represented that CBA bills only actual expenses for operation and 
employee wages. The expenses are allocated to and paid by each of the 
Plans. It is represented that CBA performs cost accounting time studies 
quarterly to determine the percentage of the expenses to be charged to 
each of the Plans, based upon how much time is spent in any one quarter 
by the employees of CBA in providing services to each such plan. It is 
represented that currently the allocation of expenses is 41 percent 
(41%) to the Pension Plan, 19 percent (19%) to the Apprenticeship Plan, 
40 percent (40%) to the Welfare Plan. The allocation of expenses to 
each of the Plans is reviewed by and must be approved by the auditor of 
such plan.
    17. Although CBA presently leases office space from an unrelated 
third party, CBA desires to lease certain Premises in the new Training 
Center to facilitate the provision of services to the Plans in the new 
location.
    It is represented that the Premises to be occupied by CBA will 
constitute approximately 350 to 450 rentable square feet of office 
space out of a total of 15,000 square feet of space in the Training 
Center. The Lease provisions include a three (3) year initial term that 
can be renewed for an additional term of three (3) years by both 
parties upon a ninety (90) days written notice. Under the provisions of 
the Lease, the leasing transaction will be on terms and at all times 
will remain on terms that are at least as favorable to the 
Apprenticeship Plan and to CBA, as terms that would have been 
negotiated under similar circumstances at arm's length with unrelated 
third parties. The rental rate under the terms of the Lease and under 
the terms of any amendment, renewal, or extension of the Lease will be 
adjusted at least every three (3) years in which the Lease is in 
effect. Further, the rental rate will reflect the fair market rental 
value of the Premises, as determined by an independent, qualified 
appraiser. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Lease, the 
Apprenticeship Plan may without penalty at any time upon ninety (90) 
days prior written notice given to CBA terminate the Lease and CBA's 
occupancy of the Premises, effective as of the date specified in such 
written notice, which date shall be at least ninety (90) days after the 
date such written notice is given to CBA.
    It is represented that the Lease will be protective in that ARA, 
the I/F acting on behalf of the Apprenticeship Plan, will represent the 
interests of the Apprenticeship Plan, and will in accordance with the 
fiduciary provisions of the Act determine that the Lease is feasible, 
in the interest of, and protective of the Apprenticeship Plan. 
Specifically, prior to entering into the Lease, the terms of such Lease 
will be reviewed, negotiated, and approved by ARA. Further, ARA will 
monitor compliance with the terms of the Lease throughout the duration 
of the Lease and will be responsible for legally enforcing the proper 
performance under the terms of such Lease. Further, ARA will be 
responsible for reviewing, negotiating, approving, and monitoring the 
initial lease and any amendment, renewal, or extension of the Lease.
    18. The applicants maintain that the proposed transactions are in 
the interest of the Plans. In this regard, it is represented that 
acquisition of Parcel 1 and construction by the Local Union 
the Union Building, the acquisition of Parcel 2 and 
construction of the Training Center by the Apprenticeship Plan on an 
adjacent site, and the leasing of the Premises in the Training Center 
to CBA will lend continuity of operation and training and consolidation 
of administration to the participants of the Apprenticeship Plan, as 
well as participants in the Pension Plan and the Welfare Plan. 
Specifically, the offices of the Local Union, the Pension Plan, the 
Apprenticeship Plan, CBA, and the Training Center will be consolidated 
in one location.
    19. In summary, the applicants represent that the proposed 
transactions meet the statutory criteria for an exemption under section 
408(a) of the Act because:
    (a) The sale by the Pension Plan of Parcel 1 to the Local 
Union and the sale of Parcel 2 by the Pension Plan to the 
Apprenticeship Plan will be one-time transactions for cash;
    (b) ARA, acting as the I/F on behalf of the Apprenticeship Plan, 
will negotiate, review, analyze, and approve the terms of the purchase 
of Parcel 2; the construction of the Training Center; and the 
Lease of the Premises to CBA.
    (c) ARA will determine whether the acquisition of Parcel 
2, the construction of the Training Center, and the Lease of 
the Premises to CBA will be feasible, in the interest of, and 
protective of the participants and beneficiaries of the Apprenticeship 
Plan;
    (d) ARA will be responsible for monitoring compliance with the 
terms and condition of this exemption and the terms and conditions of 
the acquisition of Parcel 2 by the Apprenticeship Plan, the 
construction of the Training Center, and the Lease of the Premises to 
CBA;
    (e) The purchase price paid by the Local Union for Parcel 
1 and the purchase price paid by the Apprenticeship Plan for 
Parcel 2 will be equal to the fair market value of each such 
parcel, as determined by an independent, qualified appraiser, as of the 
date of each sale;
    (f) The terms of the sale by the Pension Plan of Parcel 1 
to the Local Union and the sale by the Pension Plan of Parcel 
2 to the Apprenticeship Plan will be no less favorable to the 
Pension Plan and the Apprenticeship Plan, respectively, than terms 
negotiated under similar circumstances at arm's length with unrelated 
third parties;
    (g) The Plans will not provide any construction financing or 
permanent financing to the Local Union in connection with the 
acquisition by the Local Union of Parcel 1 and the 
construction of the Union Building, nor will the Pension Plan, the 
Welfare Plan, or the Local Union provide any construction financing or 
permanent financing to the Apprenticeship Plan in connection with the 
acquisition by the Apprenticeship Plan of Parcel 2 and the 
construction of the Training Center;
    (h) The Plans will not pay any commissions, fees, or other similar 
payments to any party in connection with any of the subject 
transactions;
    (i) The terms of any loan from an unrelated third party obtained by 
the Apprenticeship Plan for the purpose of acquiring Parcel 2 
or constructing the Training Center will provide recourse to such 
unrelated third party lender only against the Apprenticeship Plan's 
interest in Parcel 2 and not against the general assets of the 
Apprenticeship Plan;
    (j) the leasing transaction will be on terms and at all times 
remains on terms that are at least as favorable to the Apprenticeship 
Plan and to CBA, as terms that would have been negotiated under similar 
circumstances at arm's length with unrelated third parties;
    (k) The rental rate under the terms of the Lease and under the 
terms of any amendment, renewal, or extension of the Lease will be 
adjusted at least every three (3) years in which the Lease is in

[[Page 6766]]

effect and the rental rate will reflect the fair market rental value of 
the Premises, as determined by an independent, qualified appraiser; and
    (m) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Lease, the 
Apprenticeship Plan may without penalty at any time upon ninety (90) 
days prior written notice given to CBA terminate the Lease and CBA's 
occupancy of the Premises.

Notice to Interested Persons

    Those persons who may be interested in the publication in the 
Federal Register of the Notice of Proposed Exemption (the Notice) 
include all contributing employers to the Pension Plan, the 
Apprenticeship Plan, and the Welfare Plan and all participants and 
beneficiaries of the Pension Plan, the Apprenticeship Plan, and the 
Welfare Plan.
    It is represented that these several classes of interested persons 
will be notified of the publication of the Notice through different 
methods. In this regard, notification will be provided within 15 (15) 
calendar days of the date of publication of the Notice in the Federal 
Register, by posting at locations customarily used for notices 
regarding labor-management matters for review at the hiring hall and at 
the business office of the Local Union, at the office of the 
Apprenticeship Plan and at the Existing Buildings of the Apprenticeship 
Plan; at the administrative offices for the Pension Plan, 
Apprenticeship Plan, and the Welfare Plan, and at the offices of NECA. 
Such postings will contain a copy of the Notice, as it appears in the 
Federal Register on the date of publication, plus a copy of the 
supplemental statement (the Supplemental Statement), as required, 
pursuant to 29 CFR 2570.43(b)(2), which will advise interested persons 
of their right to comment and to request a hearing.
    It is represented that notification will also be provided to all 
participants and beneficiaries of the Pension Plan, the Apprenticeship 
Plan, and the Welfare Plan by first class mail, within fifteen (15) 
calendar days of publication of the Notice in the Federal Register. 
Such mailing will contain a copy of the Notice, as it appears in the 
Federal Register on the date of publication, plus a copy of the 
Supplemental Statement, as required, pursuant to 29 CFR 2570.43(b)(2), 
which will advise all participants and beneficiaries of the Pension 
Plan, the Apprenticeship Plan, and the Welfare Plan of their right to 
comment and to request a hearing.
    It is represented that notification will also be provided to all 
contributing employers to the Pension Plan, the Apprenticeship Plan, 
and the Welfare Plan by first class mail. Such mailing will contain a 
copy of the Notice, as it appears in the Federal Register on the date 
of publication, plus a copy of the Supplemental Statement, as required, 
pursuant to 29 CFR 2570.43(b)(2), and a letter to such contributing 
employers requesting that the Notice and Supplemental Statement be 
posted immediately upon receipt in the locations within the principal 
places of employment of such contributing employers which are 
customarily used for notices regarding labor-management matters for 
review.
    The Department must receive all written comments and requests for a 
hearing no later than thirty (30) days from the later of: (1) The date 
a copy of the Notice and a copy the Supplemental Statement are posted; 
or (2) the date of the mailing of a copy of the Notice and a copy of 
the Supplemental Statement to all contributing employers of the Pension 
Plan, the Apprenticeship Plan, and the Welfare Plan; or (3) the date of 
the mailing of a copy of the Notice and a copy of the Supplemental 
Statement to all participants and beneficiaries of the Pension Plan, 
the Apprenticeship Plan, and the Welfare Plan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angelena C. Le Blanc of the 
Department, telephone (202) 693-8540 (This is not a toll-free number).

OPET Health Care and Life Insurance Plans RM3A and RM5A (Together, the 
H&L Plans); and OPET Prescription Drug Plan RRx (Plan RRx; All Three 
Together, the Plans), Located in Portland, Oregon

[Application Nos. L-11302 and L-11303]

Proposed Exemption

    The Department is considering granting an exemption under the 
authority of section 408(a) of the Act and in accordance with the 
procedures set forth in 29 CFR part 2570, subpart B (55 FR 32836, 
32847, August 10, 1990). If the exemption is granted, the restrictions 
of section 406(a) of the Act shall not apply to the purchase by the 
Plans' participants and beneficiaries of prescription drugs from the 
Labor Center Pharmacy (LCP), a party in interest with respect to the 
Plans, provided the following conditions are satisfied:
    (a) The terms of the transactions are at least as favorable to the 
Plans as those the Plans could obtain in similar transactions with an 
unrelated party;
    (b) any decisions by the Plans to enter into agreements governing 
the subject purchases have been and will be made by Plan fiduciaries 
independent of LCP;
    (c) at least 50% of the preferred providers participating in the 
Preferred Provider Network (PPN) involving LCP are unrelated to LCP or 
any other party in interest with respect to the Plans;
    (d) LCP will be treated no differently than any other pharmacy 
participating in the PPN (e.g., subject to the same reimbursement rates 
and oversight as the other participating pharmacies); and
    (e) the transactions are not part of an agreement, arrangement or 
understanding designed to benefit LCP or any other party in interest 
with respect to the Plans.
    Effective Date: The proposed exemption, if granted, will be 
effective as of January 1, 2001.

Summary of Facts and Representations

    1. The Plans are multi-employer welfare benefit plans. The H&L 
Plans have been in existence since July 1, 1982. Plan RRx has been in 
existence since May 1, 1978. The Plans provide health and welfare 
benefits, including prescription drug coverage, to eligible employees 
and their dependents. The Plans are directed by an eight person Board 
of Trustees. The four trustees representing labor are appointed by the 
participating unions, which are: (a) Teamsters Food Processors, 
Drivers, Warehousemen, and Helpers Local Union No. 670 (Teamsters Local 
670); (b) Teamsters Dairy, Bakery and Food Processors, Industrial, 
Technical, and Automotive Local Union No. 305; (c) General Teamsters, 
Warehousemen, and Cannery Workers Local Union No. 556; and (d) 
Chauffeurs, Teamsters and Helpers Union No. 58. The four employer 
trustees are appointed by participating employers in the food 
processing industry. The Plans currently have approximately 2,700 
participants and $9.1 million in total assets.
    2. Teamsters Local 670 Health Division Cannery Distributors Co., 
Inc. (the Health Division) is a taxable corporation that is wholly 
owned by Teamsters Local 670. The applicant represents that Teamsters 
Local 670 is a party in interest because it is an employee organization 
whose members participate in the Plans. The applicant represents that 
the Health Division is a party in interest with respect to the Plans 
because it is wholly owned by an employee organization whose members 
participate in the Plans. The Health Division operates the LCP.
    3. Under the Plans, participants have three alternative ways to 
receive a prescription drug benefit. One, a participant may have a 
prescription filled at a non-participating pharmacy,

[[Page 6767]]

pay the pharmacy the full charge at the time of dispensing, and then 
submit a claim to the claims administrator. The Plans would then 
reimburse the participant the lesser of: (a) 80% of the average 
wholesale price (AWP); or (b) the actual cost of the drug. Two, a 
participant in Tillamook, Oregon, may have a prescription filled at the 
local pharmacy, pay an amount up to the Plan's annual deductible to the 
pharmacy, and have any balance submitted to the claims administrator by 
the pharmacy for payment directly to the pharmacy. This special 
arrangement is designed to serve a group of participants who work at a 
local creamery in Tillamook, which is approximately 74 miles from the 
nearest preferred provider pharmacy. Three, a participant may have a 
prescription filled at any of the preferred provider pharmacies and pay 
a co-pay of $16 for brand name drugs and $6 for generic drugs.
    4. Effective September 1, 1992, the trustees of the Plans 
implemented the Plans' first preferred provider network (PPN) for 
prescription drugs to manage prescription drug prices and costs, 
provide ready participant access to reliable pharmacy services and 
professional advice, and to minimize eligibility policing problems. The 
trustees had obtained opinion of ERISA counsel dated November 25, 1991 
that such an arrangement would be permissible under the Act if, among 
other things, all amounts paid by the Plans to a union-sponsored 
pharmacy were reasonable, and all decisions made by the Plans to enter 
into agreements with party in interest pharmacies were made by 
fiduciaries independent of the party in interest. Despite the reliance 
by the trustees on the advice of ERISA counsel, the Department's San 
Francisco Regional Office determined that the subject transactions 
constituted prohibited transactions. Accordingly, the applicant has 
requested retroactive relief for the transactions described herein.
    5. The trustees entered into agreements with four preferred 
provider pharmacies: The LCP in Salem, Oregon; Baker City Pill Box in 
Baker City, Oregon; Hi-School Pharmacy in Hood River, Oregon; and 
Safeway Pharmacy in The Dalles, Oregon. Each of the preferred provider 
pharmacies is located in an agricultural area where a significant 
number of the Plans' participants live and work. The LCP is operated by 
the Health Division, which is a party in interest with respect to the 
Plans. The other three pharmacies are not parties in interest, and the 
agreements were negotiated at arm's-length. All four agreements are 
identical. The applicant represents that as of January 1, 2007, the 
Safeway Pharmacy in the Dalles, Oregon, has withdrawn from the PPN. The 
other three pharmacies, including the LCP, remain in the PPN.
    6. The preferred provider pharmacies agree to provide prescription 
drugs to participants and beneficiaries in the Plans at a lower cost 
than they charge other purchasers in exchange for the potential to 
realize an expanded customer base due to their status as preferred 
provider pharmacies with respect to the Plans. The material terms of 
the agreements are:
    (a) Participants and beneficiaries pay a $6 co-payment for generic 
drugs and a $16 co-payment for brand name drugs;
    (b) The Pharmacy does not (and cannot) charge the participants and 
beneficiaries any amount in excess of the co-payment;
    (c) The pharmacy must use its best efforts to provide generic drugs 
whenever legally possible, and must, when filling prescriptions, 
achieve a generic frequency rate of 20% or higher;
    (d) OPET pays the pharmacy the lesser of:
    (i) the actual dispensing cost to the pharmacy for the drug; or
    (ii) a $2 dispensing fee plus the following amount based on the AWP 
for the specified type of drug:
    (A) for a generic drug, AWP minus 20%;
    (B) for a brand name drug, AWP minus 12%.
    (e) The pharmacy's billings to OPET must provide adequate 
information to enable OPET to monitor payments and generic frequency 
rates;
    (f) The pharmacy must submit to an audit at the request of the OPET 
trustees; and
    (g) The agreement may be terminated by either party without cause 
with 30 days advance written notice.
    7. The applicant represents that OPET's reimbursement rates for the 
preferred pharmacies are reasonable and are consistent with the 
reimbursement rates that other similar plans are negotiating with their 
preferred provider pharmacies. OPET's consultant, Mr. Jackson A. Loos, 
Chief Consulting Officer--Health and Welfare, with the firm of Rael & 
Letson in Edmonds, Washington, has confirmed this representation.
    8. The Plans seek to maximize the benefits that can be provided to 
participants and their beneficiaries. Reducing the costs paid by the 
Plans for prescription drugs assists the Plans in meeting this goal. In 
addition, the applicant represents that including the LCP in the PPN 
provides substantial benefits to participants and beneficiaries, 
including:
    (a) The claims administrator for the Plans maintains a claims 
processing office in the same office as the LCP, which means the LCP 
can immediately confirm the eligibility of participants and 
beneficiaries. Because the on-site claims analysts are familiar with 
the Plans, the LCP can direct the participant or beneficiary to the 
claims processing office for assistance in resolving any eligibility or 
coverage questions;
    (b) The access mentioned in Paragraph (a), immediately above, is 
especially important because many participants speak Spanish as their 
first language and do not understand English. The on-site claims 
processing office is staffed with claims analysts who are familiar with 
the Plans, giving people ready access to people who are fluent in 
Spanish; and
    (c) The LCP, like the other preferred provider pharmacies, agrees 
to process participants' prescriptions upon receiving from the 
individual a brief form setting forth information necessary to verify 
eligibility and the amount of co-payment prescribed by the Plans. 
Participants are required to pay only the co-payment in order to fill a 
prescription. Therefore, participants (most of whom have low incomes) 
do not have to pay the full cost of the prescriptions at the pharmacy 
and wait for later reimbursement from the Plans.
    9. The applicant represents that at least 50% of the pharmacies in 
the PPN will be pharmacies that are not parties in interest with 
respect to the Plans. Currently, only one of the three preferred 
provider pharmacies is operated by a party in interest with respect to 
the Plans. All decisions made by the Plans with respect to the LCP have 
been made, and in the future will be made, only by trustees unrelated 
to the LCP, the Health Division, and Teamsters Local 670. In this 
regard, any trustee affiliated with the LCP, the Health Division, or 
Teamsters Local 670 will remove himself or herself from all 
consideration by the Plans whether or not to engage in any transaction 
with the Health Division and/or the LCP. Lastly, the applicant 
represents that the transactions between the Plans and the Health 
Division are not part of an agreement, arrangement or understanding 
designed to benefit a party in interest with respect to the Plans.
    10. In summary, the applicant represents that the subject 
transactions satisfy the criteria contained in section 408(a) of the 
Act because: (a) The terms of the transactions are at least as

[[Page 6768]]

favorable to the Plans as those the Plans could obtain in similar 
transactions with an unrelated party; (b) any decision by the Plan to 
enter into the agreements governing the subject purchases have been and 
will be made by fiduciaries of the Plans who are not related to LCP, 
the Health Division, or Teamsters Local 670; (c) at least 50% of the 
preferred provider pharmacies participating in the PPN are and will be 
unrelated to LCP, the Health Division and any other party in interest 
with respect to the Plans; (d) the LCP will provide prescription drugs 
to eligible participants under the identical conditions and for the 
identical prices as will be the case for any pharmacy participating in 
the PPN; and (e) the transactions are not part of an agreement, 
arrangement or understanding designed to benefit a party in interest.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary H. Lefkowitz of the Department, 
telephone (202) 693-8546. (This is not a toll-free number.)

General Information

    The attention of interested persons is directed to the following:
    (1) The fact that a transaction is the subject of an exemption 
under section 408(a) of the Act and/or section 4975(c)(2) of the Code 
does not relieve a fiduciary or other party in interest or disqualified 
person from certain other provisions of the Act and/or the Code, 
including any prohibited transaction provisions to which the exemption 
does not apply and the general fiduciary responsibility provisions of 
section 404 of the Act, which, among other things, require a fiduciary 
to discharge his duties respecting the plan solely in the interest of 
the participants and beneficiaries of the plan and in a prudent fashion 
in accordance with section 404(a)(1)(b) of the Act; nor does it affect 
the requirement of section 401(a) of the Code that the plan must 
operate for the exclusive benefit of the employees of the employer 
maintaining the plan and their beneficiaries;
    (2) Before an exemption may be granted under section 408(a) of the 
Act and/or section 4975(c)(2) of the Code, the Department must find 
that the exemption is administratively feasible, in the interests of 
the plan and of its participants and beneficiaries, and protective of 
the rights of participants and beneficiaries of the plan;
    (3) The proposed exemptions, if granted, will be supplemental to, 
and not in derogation of, any other provisions of the Act and/or the 
Code, including statutory or administrative exemptions and transitional 
rules. Furthermore, the fact that a transaction is subject to an 
administrative or statutory exemption is not dispositive of whether the 
transaction is in fact a prohibited transaction; and
    (4) The proposed exemptions, if granted, will be subject to the 
express condition that the material facts and representations contained 
in each application are true and complete, and that each application 
accurately describes all material terms of the transaction which is the 
subject of the exemption.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 6th day of February, 2007.
Ivan Strasfel,
Director of Exemption Determinations, Employee Benefits Security 
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. E7-2243 Filed 2-12-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-29-P