[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 29548]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11281]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Upon written request, copies available from: Securities and Exchange 
Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 
20549.

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

    Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``Commission'') is soliciting comments on the collection of 
information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit this 
existing collection of information to the Office of Management and 
Budget for extension and approval.
     Rule 17a-22 (17 CFR 240.17a-22)--Supplemental Material of 
Registered Clearing Agencies
    Rule 17a-22 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange 
Act'') \1\ requires all registered clearing agencies to file with the 
Commission three copies of all materials they issue or make generally 
available to their participants or other entities with whom they have a 
significant relationship. The filings with the Commission must be made 
within ten days after the materials are issued or made generally 
available. When the Commission is not the clearing agency's appropriate 
regulatory agency, the clearing agency must file one copy of the 
material with its appropriate regulatory agency.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission is responsible for overseeing clearing agencies and 
uses the information filed pursuant to Rule 17a-22 to determine whether 
a clearing agency is implementing procedural or policy changes. The 
information filed aides the Commission in determining whether such 
changes are consistent with the purposes of Section 17A of the Exchange 
Act. Also, the Commission uses the information to determine whether a 
clearing agency has changed its rules without reporting the actual or 
prospective change to the Commission as required under Section 19(b) of 
the Exchange Act.
    The respondents to Rule 17a-22 are registered clearing agencies. 
The frequency of filings made by clearing agencies pursuant to Rule 
17a-22 varies but on average there are approximately 200 filings per 
year per active clearing agency. The Commission staff estimates that 
each response requires approximately .25 hour (fifteen minutes), which 
represents the time it takes for a staff person at the clearing agency 
to properly identify a document subject to the rule, print and makes 
copies, and mail that document to the Commission. Thus, the total 
annual burden for all active clearing agencies is 300 hours (1,200 
multiplied by .25 hour) and a total of 50 hours (1,200 responses 
multiplied by .25 hour, divided by 6 active clearing agencies) per year 
are expended by each respondent to comply with the rule.
    Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Commission, including whether the information 
shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's 
estimates of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) 
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 
Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted in 
writing within 60 days of this publication.
    Comments should be directed to: R. Corey Booth, Director/Chief 
Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, C/O Shirley 
Martinson, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, VA 22312 or send an e-
mail to: [email protected]. Comments must be submitted within 60 
days of this notice.

    Dated: May 14, 2008.
Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E8-11281 Filed 5-20-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P