[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 240 (Tuesday, December 15, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78112-78115]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30678]



[[Page 78111]]

Vol. 80

Tuesday,

No. 240

December 15, 2015

Part XXVII





Securities and Exchange Commission





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 240 / Tuesday, December 15, 2015 / 
Unified Agenda  

[[Page 78112]]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

17 CFR Ch. II

[Release Nos. 33-9926, 34-75968, IA-4207, IC-31848, File No. S7-17-15]


Regulatory Flexibility Agenda

AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

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SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange Commission is publishing the 
Chair's agenda of rulemaking actions pursuant to the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (RFA) (Pub. L. 96-354, 94 Stat. 1164) (Sep. 19, 1980). 
The items listed in the Regulatory Flexibility Agenda for fall 2015, 
reflect only the priorities of the Chair of the U.S. Securities and 
Exchange Commission, and do not necessarily reflect the view and 
priorities of any individual Commissioner.
    Information in the agenda was accurate on September 23, 2015, the 
date on which the Commission's staff completed compilation of the data. 
To the extent possible, rulemaking actions by the Commission since that 
date have been reflected in the agenda. The Commission invites 
questions and public comment on the agenda and on the individual agenda 
entries.
    The Commission is now printing in the Federal Register, along with 
our preamble, only those agenda entries for which we have indicated 
that preparation of an RFA analysis is required.
    The Commission's complete RFA agenda will be available online at 
www.reginfo.gov.

DATES: Comments should be received on or before January 14, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/other.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number S7-17-15 on the subject line; or
     Use the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov). Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 
20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File No. S7-17-15. This file number 
should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help us 
process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one 
method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's 
Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/other.shtml). Comments are 
also available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission's 
Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, on 
official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. 
All comments received will be posted without change; we do not edit 
personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit 
only information that you wish to make available publicly.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anne Sullivan, Office of the General 
Counsel, 202-551-5019.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The RFA requires each Federal agency, twice 
each year, to publish in the Federal Register an agenda identifying 
rules that the agency expects to consider in the next 12 months that 
are likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities (5 U.S.C. 602(a)). The RFA specifically 
provides that publication of the agenda does not preclude an agency 
from considering or acting on any matter not included in the agenda and 
that an agency is not required to consider or act on any matter that is 
included in the agenda (5 U.S.C. 602(d)). The Commission may consider 
or act on any matter earlier or later than the estimated date provided 
on the agenda. While the agenda reflects the current intent to complete 
a number of rulemakings in the next year, the precise dates for each 
rulemaking at this point are uncertain. Actions that do not have an 
estimated date are placed in the long-term category; the Commission may 
nevertheless act on items in that category within the next 12 months. 
The agenda includes new entries, entries carried over from prior 
publications, and rulemaking actions that have been completed (or 
withdrawn) since publication of the last agenda.
    The following abbreviations for the acts administered by the 
Commission are used in the agenda:

``Securities Act''-- Securities Act of 1933
``Exchange Act''-- Securities Exchange Act of 1934
``Investment Company Act''-- Investment Company Act of 1940
``Investment Advisers Act''-- Investment Advisers Act of 1940
``Dodd Frank Act''--Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer 
Protection Act
    ``JOBS Act''--Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act'
    The Commission invites public comment on the agenda and on the 
individual agenda entries.

    By the Commission.

    Dated: September 23, 2015.
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.

            Division of Corporation Finance--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
542.......................  Pay Versus Performance....         3235-AL00
543.......................  Crowdfunding..............         3235-AL37
544.......................  Amendments to Regulation           3235-AL46
                             D, Form D and Rule 156
                             Under the Securities Act.
545.......................  Disclosure of Hedging by           3235-AL49
                             Employees, Officers and
                             Directors.
546.......................  Listing Standards for              3235-AK99
                             Recovery of Erroneously
                             Awarded Compensation.
547.......................  Changes to Exchange Act            3235-AL40
                             Registration Requirements
                             to Implement Title V and
                             Title VI of the JOBS Act.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


         Division of Investment Management--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
548.......................  Investment Company                 3235-AL42
                             Reporting Modernization.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 78113]]


           Division of Investment Management--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
549.......................  Reporting of Proxy Votes           3235-AK67
                             on Executive Compensation
                             and Other Matters.
550.......................  Amendments to Form ADV and         3235-AL75
                             Investment Advisers Act
                             Rules.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


           Division of Trading and Markets--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
551.......................  Removal of Certain                 3235-AL14
                             References to Credit
                             Ratings Under the
                             Securities Exchange Act
                             of 1934.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC)

Division of Corporation Finance

Final Rule Stage

542. Pay Versus Performance

    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 111-203, sec 955; 15 U.S.C. 78n
    Abstract: The Commission proposed rules to implement section 953(a) 
of the Dodd Frank Act, which added section 14(i) to the Exchange Act to 
require issuers to disclose information that shows the relationship 
between executive compensation actually paid and the financial 
performance of the issuer.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   05/07/15  80 FR 26330
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/06/15
Final Action........................   10/00/16
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Eduardo Aleman, Division of Corporation Finance, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 
20549, Phone: 202 551-3430, Fax: 202 772-9207.
    RIN: 3235-AL00

543. Crowdfunding

    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.; 15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.; Pub. 
L. 112-108, secs 301 to 305
    Abstract: The Commission adopted rules to implement title III of 
the JOBS Act by prescribing rules governing the offer and sale of 
securities through crowdfunding under new section 4(a)(6) of the 
Securities Act.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   11/05/13  78 FR 66428
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/03/14  .......................
Final Action........................   10/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Timothy White, Division of Trading and Markets, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 
20549, Phone: 202 551-7232.
    Sebastian Gomez Abero, Division of Corporation Finance, Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, Phone: 
202 551-3460.
    RIN: 3235-AL37

544. Amendments to Regulation D, Form D and Rule 156 Under the 
Securities Act

    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.
    Abstract: The Commission proposed rule and form amendments to 
enhance the Commission's ability to evaluate the development of market 
practices in offerings under Rule 506 of Regulation D and address 
concerns that may arise in connection with permitting issuers to engage 
in general solicitation and general advertising under new paragraph (c) 
of Rule 506.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/24/13  78 FR 44806
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/23/13  .......................
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   10/03/13  78 FR 61222
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/04/13  .......................
Final Action........................   10/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Mark Vilardo, Division of Corporation Finance, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F St. NE., Washington, DC 
20549, Phone: 202 551-3500.
    RIN: 3235-AL46

545. Disclosure of Hedging by Employees, Officers and Directors

    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 111-203
    Abstract: The Commission proposed rules to implement section 955 of 
the Dodd Frank Act, which added section 14(j) to the Exchange Act to 
require annual meeting proxy statement disclosure of whether employees 
or members of the board of directors are permitted to engage in 
transactions to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of 
equity securities granted to the employee or board member as 
compensation, or held directly or indirectly by the employee or board 
member.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   02/17/15  80 FR 8486
Final Action........................   10/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Carolyn Sherman, Division of Corporation Finance, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 
20549, Phone: 202 551-3500.
    RIN: 3235-AL49

546. Listing Standards for Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation

    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 111-203, sec 954; 15 U.S.C. 78j-4
    Abstract: The Commission proposed rules to implement section 954 of 
the Dodd Frank Act, which requires the Commission to adopt rules to 
direct national securities exchanges to prohibit the listing of 
securities of issuers that have not developed and implemented a policy 
providing for disclosure of the issuer's policy on incentive-based 
compensation and mandating the clawback of such compensation in certain 
circumstances.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/14/15  80 FR 41144

[[Page 78114]]

 
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/14/15  .......................
Final Action........................   10/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Anne M. Krauskopf, Division of Corporation Finance, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 
20549, Phone: 202 551-3500.
    RIN: 3235-AK99

547. Changes to Exchange Act Registration Requirements To Implement 
Title V and Title VI of the JOBS Act

    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 112-106
    Abstract: The Commission proposed amendments to rules to implement 
titles V (Private Company Flexibility and Growth) and VI (Capital 
Expansion) of the JOBS Act.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/30/14  79 FR 78343
NPRM Comment Period End.............   03/03/15  .......................
Final Action........................   10/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Steven G. Hearne, Division of Corporation Finance, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 
20549, Phone: 202 551-3430.
    RIN: 3235-AL40

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC)

Division of Investment Management

Proposed Rule Stage

548. Investment Company Reporting Modernization

    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77 et seq.; 15 U.S.C. 77aaa et seq.; 15 
U.S.C. 78a et seq.; 15 U.S.C. 80a et seq.; 44 U.S.C. 3506; 44 U.S.C. 
3507
    Abstract: The Commission proposed new rules and forms as well as 
amendments to its rules and forms to modernize the reporting and 
disclosure of information by registered investment companies.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/12/15  80 FR 33590
NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/11/15  .......................
NPRM Comment Period Reopened........   10/12/15  80 FR 62274
NPRM Comment Period Reopened End....   01/13/16  .......................
Final Action........................   10/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Sara Cortes, Division of Investment Management, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 
20549, Phone: 202 551-6781, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 3235-AL42

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC)

Division of Investment Management

Final Rule Stage

549. Reporting of Proxy Votes on Executive Compensation and Other 
Matters

    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 78m; 15 U.S.C. 78w(a); 15 U.S.C. 78mm; 
15 U.S.C. 78x; 15 U.S.C. 80a-8; 15 U.S.C. 80a-29; 15 U.S.C. 80a-30; 15 
U.S.C. 80a-37; 15 U.S.C. 80a-44; Pub. L. 111-203, sec 951
    Abstract: The Commission proposed rule amendments to implement 
section 951 of the Dodd Frank Act. The proposed amendments to rules and 
Form N-PX would require institutional investment managers subject to 
section 13(f) of the Exchange Act to report how they voted on any 
shareholder vote on executive compensation or golden parachutes 
pursuant to sections 14A(a) and (b) of the Exchange Act.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   10/28/10  75 FR 66622
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/18/10  .......................
Final Action........................   10/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Matthew DeLesDernier, Division of Investment 
Management, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549, Phone: 202 551-6792, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 3235-AK67

550.  Amendments to Form ADV and Investment Advisers Act Rules

    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77s(a); 15 U.S.C. 77sss(a); 15 U.S.C. 
78bb(e)(2); 15 U.S.C. 78w(a); 15 U.S.C. 80a-37(a); 15 U.S.C. 80b-
3(c)(1)
    Abstract: The Commission proposed amendments to Form ADV that are 
designed to provide additional information regarding advisers, 
including information about their separately managed account business; 
incorporate a method for private fund adviser entities operating a 
single advisory business to register using a single Form ADV; and make 
clarifying, technical and other amendments to certain Form ADV items 
and instructions. The Commission also proposed amendments to the 
Investment Advisers Act books and records rule and technical amendments 
to several Investment Advisers Act rules to remove transition 
provisions that are no longer necessary.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/12/15  80 FR 33718
NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/11/15  .......................
Final Action........................   10/00/16  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Holly Hunter-Ceci, Division of Investment 
Management, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549, Phone: 202 551-6869, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 3235-AL75

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC)

Division of Trading and Markets

Long-Term Actions

551. Removal of Certain References to Credit Ratings Under the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 111-203, sec 939A
    Abstract: Section 939A of the Dodd Frank Act requires the 
Commission to remove certain references to credit ratings from its 
regulations and to substitute such standards of creditworthiness as the 
Commission determines to be appropriate. The Commission amended certain 
rules and one form under the Exchange Act applicable to broker-dealer 
financial responsibility, and confirmation of transactions. The 
Commission has not yet finalized amendments to certain rules regarding 
the distribution of securities.
    Timetable:

[[Page 78115]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   05/06/11  76 FR 26550
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/05/11  .......................
Final Action........................   01/08/14  79 FR 1522
Final Action Effective..............   07/07/14
                                     -----------------------------------
Next Action Undetermined............           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: John Guidroz, Division of Trading and Markets, 
Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 
20549, Phone: 202 551-6439, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 3235-AL14

[FR Doc. 2015-30678 Filed 12-14-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P