[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 14, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8302-8303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3338]


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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 
20549-0213.

Extension:
    Rule 35d-1; SEC File No. 270-491; OMB Control No. 3235-0548.


[[Page 8303]]


    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 (the ``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 35d-1 (17 CFR 270.35d-1) under the Investment Company Act of 
1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq.) defines as ``materially deceptive and 
misleading'' for purposes of Section 35(d), among other things, a name 
suggesting that a registered investment company or series thereof (a 
``fund'') focuses its investments in a particular type of investment or 
investments, in investments in a particular industry or group of 
industries, or in investments in a particular country or geographic 
region, unless, among other things, the fund adopts a certain 
investment policy. Rule 35d-1 further requires either that the 
investment policy is fundamental or that the fund has adopted a policy 
to provide its shareholders with at least 60 days prior notice of any 
change in the investment policy (``notice to shareholders''). The 
rule's notice to shareholders provision is intended to ensure that when 
shareholders purchase shares in a fund based, at least in part, on its 
name, and with the expectation that it will follow the investment 
policy suggested by that name, they will have sufficient time to decide 
whether to redeem their shares in the event that the fund decides to 
pursue a different investment policy.
    The Commission estimates that there are approximately 8,800 open-
end and closed-end funds that have names that are covered by the rule. 
The Commission estimates that of these 8,800 funds, approximately 29 
will provide prior notice to shareholders pursuant to a policy adopted 
in accordance with this rule per year. The Commission estimates that 
the annual burden associated with the notice to shareholders 
requirement of the rule is 20 hours per response, for an annual total 
of 580 hours per year.
    Estimates of average burden hours are made solely for the purposes 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act and are not derived from a comprehensive 
or even representative survey or study of the costs of Commission rules 
and forms. The collection of information under rule 35d-1 is mandatory. 
The information provided under rule 35d-1 will not be kept 
confidential. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.
    Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
the burden of the 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 Thomas Bayer, Director/Chief 
Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, C/O Remi 
Pavlik-Simon, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, VA 22312; or send an 
email to: [email protected].

    Dated: February 8, 2012.
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-3338 Filed 2-13-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P