[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 132 (Monday, July 12, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39710-39711]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16841]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Rule 303, SEC File No. 270-450, OMB Control No. 3235-0505]


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange 
Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 
20549-0213.

Extension:
    Rule 303, SEC File No. 270-450, OMB Control No. 3235-0505.


[[Page 39711]]


    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 existing 
collection of information provided for in Rule 303 (17 CFR 242.303) of 
Regulation ATS (17 CFR 242.300 et seq.) under the Securities and 
Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.). The Commission plans to 
submit this existing collection of information to the Office of 
Management and Budget for extension and approval.
    Regulation ATS sets forth a regulatory regime for ``alternative 
trading systems'' (``ATSs''), which are entities that carry out 
exchange functions but which are not required to register as national 
securities exchanges under the Act. In lieu of exchange registration, 
an ATS can instead opt to register with the Commission as a broker-
dealer and, as a condition to not having to register as an exchange, 
must instead comply with Regulation ATS. Rule 303 of Regulation ATS (17 
CFR 242.303) describes the record preservation requirements for ATSs. 
Rule 303 also describes how such records must be maintained, what 
entities may perform this function, and how long records must be 
preserved.
    Under Rule 303, ATSs are required to preserve all records made 
pursuant to Rule 302, which includes information relating to 
subscribers, trading summaries, and time-sequenced order information. 
Rule 303 also requires ATSs to preserve any notices provided to 
subscribers, including, but not limited to, notices regarding the ATSs 
operations and subscriber access. For an ATS subject to the fair access 
requirements described in Rule 301(b)(5)(ii) of Regulation ATS, Rule 
303 further requires the ATS to preserve at least one copy of its 
standards for access to trading, all documents relevant to the ATS's 
decision to grant, deny, or limit access to any person, and all other 
documents made or received by the ATS in the course of complying with 
Rule 301(b)(5) of Regulation ATS. For an ATS subject to the capacity, 
integrity, and security requirements for automated systems under Rule 
301(b)(6) of Regulation ATS, Rule 303 requires an ATS to preserve all 
documents made or received by the ATS related to its compliance, 
including all correspondence, memoranda, papers, books, notices, 
accounts, reports, test scripts, test results, and other similar 
records. As provided in Rule 303(a)(1), ATSs are required to keep all 
of these records, as applicable, for a period of at least three years, 
the first two in an easily accessible place. In addition, Rule 303 
requires ATSs to preserve records of partnership articles, articles of 
incorporation or charter, minute books, stock certificate books, copies 
of reports filed pursuant to Rule 301(b)(2), and records made pursuant 
to Rule 301(b)(5) for the life of the ATS.
    The information contained in the records required to be preserved 
by Rule 303 will be used by examiners and other representatives of the 
Commission, State securities regulatory authorities, and the self-
regulatory organizations to ensure that ATSs are in compliance with 
Regulation ATS as well as other applicable rules and regulations. 
Without the data required by the Rule, regulators would be limited in 
their ability to comply with their statutory obligations, provide for 
the protection of investors, and promote the maintenance of fair and 
orderly markets.
    Respondents consist of ATSs that choose to register as broker-
dealers and comply with the requirements of Regulation ATS. There are 
currently 81 respondents. To comply with the record preservation 
requirements of Rule 303, these respondents will spend approximately 
1,215 hours per year (81 respondents at 15 burden hours/respondent). At 
an average cost per burden hour of $106, the resultant total related 
cost of compliance for these respondents is $128,790 per year (1,215 
burden hours multiplied by $106/hour).
    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 collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will 
be given to comments and suggestions submitted in writing within 60 
days of this publication.
    Please direct your written comments to: Charles Boucher, 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].

    Dated: June 29, 2010.
Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-16841 Filed 7-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P