96-24368. Changes Selected Rules In Order To Eliminate Fees Previously Adopted by the Commission Pursuant to the Independent Offices Appropriations Act of 1952  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 24, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 49957-49962]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-24368]
    
    
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    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
    
    17 CFR Parts 202, 230, 239, 240, 249, 250, 259, 270, 274, and 275
    
    [Release Nos. 33-7331; 34-37692; 35-26575; IC-22224; IA-1578; File No. 
    S7-14-96]
    RIN 3235-AG79
    
    
    Changes Selected Rules In Order To Eliminate Fees Previously 
    Adopted by the Commission Pursuant to the Independent Offices 
    Appropriations Act of 1952
    
    AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission), in order 
    to eliminate user fees currently adopted under the Independent Offices 
    Appropriations Act of 1952 is changing various rules pertaining to the 
    Securities Act of 1933 (Securities Act), the Securities Exchange Act of 
    1934 (Exchange Act), the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 
    (Public Utility Holding Company Act), the Investment Company Act of 
    1940 (Investment Company Act), and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 
    (Investment Advisers Act). The fees being eliminated were first adopted 
    in 1972 to contribute towards the cost of agency operations. Since that 
    time, however, the amount of fees collected by the Commission has 
    increased dramatically. In 1995, the Commission collected nearly double 
    the amount of fees required to fund the agency's operations. The fees 
    being eliminated represented just two percent of the Commission's total 
    fiscal 1995 fee revenue, but more than one-half of the total number of 
    fee payments processed.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: October 7, 1996.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Henry I. Hoffman, Office of the 
    Comptroller, at (202) 942-0343.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1972, to offset the cost to the 
    government of Commission operations, the Securities and Exchange 
    Commission established through rulemaking a fee schedule for numerous 
    types of applications, statements and reports.1 These regulatory 
    fees, authorized under Title V of the Independent Offices 
    Appropriations Act of 1952 (31 U.S.C. 9701), are commonly referred to 
    as IOAA fees.2
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        \1\ Securities Act, Release No. 5229, January 25, 1972.
        \2\ The Independent Offices Appropriations Act of 1952, 
    specifically 31 U.S.C. 9701, authorizes independent agencies of the 
    federal government to prescribe fees and charges for activities that 
    provide benefits to individuals and businesses. This statute states 
    that ``[i]t is the sense of Congress that each service * * * 
    provided by an agency * * * to a person * * * is to be self-
    sustaining to the extent possible.'' The statute also authorizes the 
    head of each agency to prescribe regulations establishing the charge 
    for a service. Notably, a separate provision of the Exchange Act 
    specifically authorizes the Commission to impose fees authorized by 
    this Act. 15 U.S.C. 78n(g)(4).
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        On May 22, 1996, a proposed rule titled Proposal To Eliminate Fees 
    Previously Adopted by the Commission Pursuant to the Independent 
    Offices Appropriations Act of 1952 was published in the Federal 
    Register. (Vol. 61, No. 100, pages 25601-25604). The proposed rule 
    invited interested parties to submit comments on or before July 8, 
    1996. Three comment letters were received, one each from two mutual 
    fund complexes and one trade association.3 Each response supported
    
    [[Page 49958]]
    
    the proposal to eliminate the Commission's IOAA fees. One respondent 
    noted that their experience with the IOAA fees was similar to the 
    Commission's experience, i.e. ``* * * while the aggregate dollar 
    amounts of these fees are relatively insignificant * * * the 
    recordkeeping and processing costs associated with them are 
    disproportionately high * * *.'' 4 Further, the respondent stated 
    that the ``* * * adoption of the proposal would simplify and enhance 
    the efficiency of (its) servicing operations.'' 5 Effective 
    October 7, 1996, the Commission is eliminating each of its current IOAA 
    fees.6 The collection of these fees is no longer appropriate since 
    the amount of revenue currently generated by statutory fees imposed 
    under the securities laws far exceeds the annual cost of Commission 
    operations, and the additional revenue added by the IOAA fees is an 
    insignificant portion of the total revenue received.
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        \3\ The three respondents to the Commission's elimination of 
    IOAA fees were T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. in a June 7, 1996, 
    letter signed by Henry H. Hopkins, Managing Director and Legal 
    Counsel, Federated Investors in a June 27, 1996, letter signed by 
    Jay S. Neuman, Corporate Counsel, and the Investment Company 
    Institute in a June 25, 1996, letter signed by Alexander C. Gavis, 
    Assistant Counsel. These letters are available for public inspection 
    under File S7-14-96 in the Public Reference Room, U.S. Securities 
    and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC. 
    20549.
        \4\ Federated Investors.
        \5\ Id.
        \6\ The Commission's action only eliminates the collection of 
    regulatory fees imposed under the IOAA; it does not affect other 
    fees imposed by statute which are also collected by the Commission. 
    These statutory fees include registration fees collected pursuant to 
    section 6(b) of the Securities Act and section 307(b) of the Trust 
    Indenture Act of 1939, going private fees collected pursuant to 
    section 13 of the Exchange Act, proxy and tender offer fees 
    collected pursuant to section 14 of the Exchange Act, and 
    transaction fees collected pursuant to section 31 of the Exchange 
    Act.
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        In fiscal 1972, the Commission collected $19 million in fees and 
    cost $27 million to operate. IOAA fees represented 12 percent of the 
    total 1972 revenue. In fiscal 1995, the Commission collected $559 
    million in fees and was appropriated $297 million for operating costs. 
    IOAA fees represented just 2 percent of the total 1995 revenue.7
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        \7\ The vast increase in Commission fee revenue between 1972 and 
    1995 has developed from two basic sources. First is a significant 
    increase in the underlying value of the securities on which the 
    statutory fees are based. The underlying value of securities 
    registered with the Commission under section 6(b) of the Securities 
    Act increased from $62 billion to $1.2 trillion from 1972 to 1995. 
    Further, during the same period, the value of shares transacted on 
    the U.S. securities exchanges and subject to a fee under Section 31 
    of the Exchange Act increased from $196 billion to $3 trillion. 
    Second is the increased use of offsetting collections under section 
    6(b) of the Securities Act to fund agency operations since 1990. The 
    amount of offsetting revenue collected under section 6(b) in 1991, 
    the first year fee revenue was used to directly offset Commission 
    funding, was $37 million at a fee rate of \1/40\ of one percent, and 
    in 1995 was $157 million at an increased fee rate of \1/29\ of one 
    percent.
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        This significant difference between the amount of fee revenue 
    collected by the Commission and the amount of its annual funding level 
    has been of continuing concern to Congress. In 1988, the Securities 
    Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban 
    Affairs directed the Commission to study its fee structure and funding 
    status (Commission Fee Study).8
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        \8\ Senate Report 100-105, 100th Cong., 1st Session. In 
    response, the Commission issued findings in a U.S. Securities and 
    Exchange Commission ``Self Funding Study'' (January 1989) and 
    accompanying ``Legislative Proposals and Fee Options'' (January 
    1989).
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        As a result of the Commission Fee Study and continuing 
    Congressional concerns about the level of the Commission's annual fee 
    collections, in 1993 the House passed H.R. 2239, the Securities and 
    Exchange Commission Authorization Act of 1993. One of the stated 
    purposes of this bill was to ``establish a system for the annual 
    adjustment of fees collected by the Commission so that the total amount 
    appropriated to the Commission for any fiscal year will be offset by 
    the amount collected during such fiscal year * * *.'' 9
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        \9\ H.R. 2239, section 31A.(a).
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        Although Congress did not enact H.R. 2239, in 1995, members of the 
    Commission's authorization committee in the Senate stated that the 
    total amount of fees collected annually by the agency far exceed the 
    cost of its regulation and, therefore, should be reduced.10
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        \10\ Letter dated April 6, 1995, from Senator D'Amato, Chairman 
    of the Senate Banking Committee, to Senators Domenici and Exon, 
    respectively Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on 
    the Budget.
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        On March 12, 1996, the House passed H.R. 2972, the Securities and 
    Exchange Commission Authorization Act of 1996. One of this bill's major 
    purposes is ``to reduce over time the rates of fees charged under the 
    Federal securities laws.'' 11 Notably, H.R. 2972 contains a sense 
    of the Congress resolution that the Commission should eliminate its 
    fees imposed under the IOAA.12 The Securities and Exchange 
    Commission Authorization Act of 1996, H.R. 2972, has since been 
    repassed as Title 3 of H.R. 3005, the securities bill that was passed 
    by the House on June 19, 1996. The Senate counterpart to H.R. 3005, S. 
    1815, does not contain the SEC reauthorization bill.
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        \11\ H.R. 2972, section 2(2).
        \12\ Ibid, section 7(1) states that ``the fees authorized by the 
    amendments made by this Act are in lieu of, and not in addition to, 
    any fees that the Securities and Exchange Commission is authorized 
    to impose or collect pursuant to section 9701 of title 31, United 
    States Code* * *.''
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        The Commission is eliminating its IOAA fees for two additional 
    reasons. First, the Commission is committed, consistent with its 
    mission of protecting investors, to eliminating unnecessary regulations 
    imposed on the capital formation process. The Commission has determined 
    that this elimination of its IOAA fees will reduce such burdens but 
    will not harm investors nor the Commission's mission to protect them. 
    Second, the collection of these IOAA fees imposes a disproportionate 
    cost on the Commission. In 1995, IOAA fees represented less than 2% of 
    the total fee revenue collected by the Commission, but more than one-
    half of the total number of fee payments processed by Commission staff, 
    making recordkeeping for these fees disproportionately costly.
    
    Cost/Benefit Analysis
    
        This elimination of IOAA fees will provide an obvious benefit to 
    persons obligated to pay such fees, i.e., they will no longer have to 
    pay the fees. In addition, the Commission will avoid the costs 
    associated with processing and auditing the collection of such fees; 
    Commission resources spent on those tasks will be reallocated to other 
    mandated tasks. Other costs and benefits are expected to be de minimis.
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        The Commission has prepared a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 
    in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 604 regarding the proposed rule changes. 
    The analysis reiterates the reasons and objectives for the proposed 
    rule changes discussed above in this release. The analysis also 
    describes the legal basis for the proposal and discusses its effect on 
    small entities as defined by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the 
    Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Investment Company Act 
    of 1940, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The rules impose no 
    additional reporting, recordkeeping or other compliance requirements on 
    small businesses, and the Commission believes that there are no 
    overlapping or conflicting federal rules. In addition, the Commission 
    does not believe that any significant alternative to the proposal would 
    both accomplish the stated objectives and minimize any significant 
    impact on small companies. In fact, the alternatives to eliminating the 
    fee would be to maintain or increase the current fees. Neither 
    alternative provides any increased benefit nor is appropriate in the 
    public interest. An Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis was 
    prepared in connection with the proposed rule changes which were 
    published in the Federal Register on May 22, 1996. No comments were 
    received regarding the analysis. A copy of the Final Regulatory
    
    [[Page 49959]]
    
    Flexibility Analysis may be obtained by contacting Henry I. Hoffman, 
    Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of the Comptroller, Room 
    2080, Washington, D.C. 20549.
    
    Effective Date
    
        The final amendments to the Commission's rules shall be effective 
    on October 7, 1996, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure 
    Act, which allows effectiveness in less than 30 days after publication 
    for, inter alia,, ``a substantive rule which grants or recognizes an 
    exemption or relieves a restriction'' and ``as otherwise provided by 
    the agency for good cause found and published with the rule.'' 5 U.S.C. 
    553(d)(1) and (d)(3). The Commission finds good cause for the rules to 
    be effective on October 7, 1996, in order to coordinate the elimination 
    of the user fees with the beginning of the fiscal year.
    
    Statutory Basis
    
        The Commission's authority for this action is 31 U.S.C. 9701 and 15 
    U.S.C. 78n(g)(4).
        The amendments to the Commission's rules, forms and schedules under 
    the Securities Act and amendments to the Commission's rules under the 
    Exchange Act are being adopted pursuant to sections 6, 7, 8, 10 and 
    19(a) of the Securities Act and sections 3, 4, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 
    and 23 of the Exchange Act. The revisions to the Commission's rules and 
    forms under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 are being 
    adopted pursuant to section 20 of the Public Utility Holding Company 
    Act. The revisions to the Commission's rules and forms under the 
    Investment Company Act are being adopted pursuant to sections 8(b) and 
    38(a) under the Investment Company Act, as amended. And the revisions 
    to the Commission's rules and forms under the Investment Advisers Act 
    of 1940 are being adopted pursuant to sections 203(c) and 211(a) of the 
    Investment Advisers Act.
    
    List of Subjects
    
    17 CFR Part 202
    
        Administrative practice and procedure, Securities.
    
    17 CFR Parts 230, 270 and 274
    
        Investment companies, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
    Securities.
    
    17 CFR Parts 239, 240, 249, 250, 259 and 275
    
        Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Securities.
    
    Text of Amendments
    
        For the reasons set out in the preamble, Chapter II, Title 17 of 
    the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:
    
    PART 202--INFORMAL AND OTHER PROCEDURES
    
        1. The authority citation for part 202 continues to read in part as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 15 U.S.C 77s, 77t, 78d-1, 78u, 78w, 78ll(d), 79r, 
    79t, 77sss, 77uuu, 80a-37, 80a-41, 80b-9, and 80b-11, unless 
    otherwise noted.
    * * * * *
        2. The first sentence of the introductory text of Sec. 202.3a is 
    revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 202.3a  Instructions for filing fees.
    
        Payment of filing fees specified by the following rules shall be 
    made according to the directions listed in this part: Sec. 230.111 (17 
    CFR 230.111), Sec. 240.0-9 (17 CFR 240-0.9), Sec. 260.7a-10 (17 CFR 
    260.7a-10), and Sec. 270.0-8 (17 CFR 270.0-8).
    * * * * *
        3. The fourth sentence of the introductory text of Sec. 202.3a is 
    revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 202.3a  Instructions for filing fees.
    
        * * * Personal checks cannot be accepted for payment of fees. * * *
    
    PART 230--GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS, SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
    
        4. The authority citation for part 230 continues to read in part as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77b, 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77s, 77sss, 78c, 
    78d, 78l, 78m, 78n, 78o, 78w, 78ll(d), 79t, 80a-8, 80a-29, 80a-30, 
    and 80a-37, unless otherwise noted.
    * * * * *
    
    
    Sec. 230.111  [Amended]
    
        5. By amending Sec. 230.111 by removing the last sentence of 
    paragraph (a).
    
    
    Sec. 230.236  [Amended]
    
        6. By amending Sec. 230.236 by removing the second sentence of 
    paragraph (a) and the last sentence of paragraph (c)(4).
    
    
    Sec. 230.252  [Amended]
    
        7. By amending Sec. 230.252 by removing and reserving paragraph 
    (f).
    
    
    Sec. 230.604  [Amended]
    
        8. Paragraph (a) of Sec. 230.604 is amended by removing the last 
    sentence.
    
    PART 240--GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS, SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 
    1934
    
        9. The authority citation for Part 240 continues to read in part as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77c, 77d, 77g, 77j, 77s, 77eee, 77ggg, 
    77nnn, 77sss, 77ttt, 78c, 78d, 78i, 78j, 78l, 78m, 78n, 78o, 78p, 
    78q, 78s, 78w, 78x, 78ll(d), 79q, 79t, 80a-20, 80a-23, 80a-29, 80a-
    37, 80b-3, 80b-4 and 80b-11, unless otherwise noted.
    * * * * *
        10. By revising Sec. 240.0-9 to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 240.0-9  Payment of fees.
    
        All payment of fees shall be made in cash, certified check or by 
    United States postal money order, bank cashier's check or bank money 
    order payable to the Securities and Exchange Commission, omitting the 
    name or title of any official of the Commission. Payment of fees 
    required by this section shall be made in accordance with the 
    directions set forth in Sec. 202.3a of this chapter.
        11. By amending Sec. 240.0-11 by revising paragraph (c)(1)(ii) to 
    read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 240.0-11  Filing fees for certain acquisitions, dispositions and 
    similar transactions.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) * * *
        (1) * * *
        (ii) Notwithstanding the above, where the acquisition, merger or 
    consolidation is for the sole purpose of changing the registrant's 
    domicile, no filing fee is required to be paid.
    * * * * *
    
    
    Sec. 240.12b-7  [Removed]
    
        12. Section 240.12b-7 is removed.
    
    
    Sec. 240.13a-1  [Amended]
    
        13. By amending Sec. 240.13a-1 by removing the last sentence.
    
    
    Sec. 240.13d-7  [Removed]
    
        14. Section 240.13d-7 is removed.
    
    
    Sec. 240.13d-101  [Amended]
    
        15. By amending Sec. 240.13d-101 by removing the second paragraph 
    on the cover page that appears after the first check box and 
    immediately before the ``Note:''.
    
    
    Sec. 240.13d-102  [Amended]
    
        16. By amending Sec. 240.13d-102 by removing the first paragraph on 
    the cover page that appears after the ``(CUSIP Number)''.
        17. By amending Sec. 240.14a-6 by revising paragraph (i) to read as 
    follows:
    
    [[Page 49960]]
    
    Sec. 240.14a-6  Filing requirements.
    
    * * * * *
        (i) Fees. At the time of filing the proxy solicitation material, 
    the persons upon whose behalf the solicitation is made, other than 
    investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 
    1940, shall pay to the Commission the following applicable fee:
        (1) For preliminary proxy material involving acquisitions, mergers, 
    spinoffs, consolidations or proposed sales or other dispositions of 
    substantially all the assets of the company, a fee established in 
    accordance with Rule 0-11 (Sec. 240.0-11 of this chapter) shall be 
    paid. No refund shall be given.
        (2) For all other proxy submissions and submissions made pursuant 
    to Sec. 240.14a-6(g), no fee shall be required.
    * * * * *
        18. By amending Sec. 240.14a-101 by revising the cover page to read 
    as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 240.14a-101  Schedule 14A. Information required in proxy 
    statement.
    
    Schedule 14A Information
    
    Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities 
    Exchange Act of 1934
    
    (Amendment No.    )
    
    Filed by the Registrant [  ]
    Filed by a party other than the Registrant [  ]
    Check the appropriate box:
    [  ]  Preliminary Proxy Statement
    [  ]  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by 
    Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
    [  ]  Definitive Proxy Statement
    [  ]  Definitive Additional Materials
    [  ]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-11(c) or 
    Sec. 240.14a-12
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
     (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the 
    Registrant)
    
    Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
    [  ]  No fee required
    [  ]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) 
    and 0-11
        (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction 
    applies:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction 
    computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on 
    which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (5) Total fee paid:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    [  ]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
    [  ]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by 
    Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the 
    offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by 
    registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date 
    of its filing.
        (1) Amount Previously Paid:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (3) Filing Party:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (4) Date Filed:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        Notes. * * *
    * * * * *
    
    
    Sec. 240.14a-101  [Amended]
    
        19. Item 22 of Sec. 240.14a-101 is amended by removing and 
    reserving paragraph (a)(2).
        20. By amending Sec. 240.14c-5 by revising paragraph (g) to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 240.14c-5  Filing Requirements.
    
    * * * * *
        (g) Fees. At the time of filing a preliminary information statement 
    regarding an acquisition, merger, spinoff, consolidation or proposed 
    sale or other disposition of substantially all the assets of the 
    company, the registrant shall pay the Commission a fee, no part of 
    which shall be refunded, established in accordance with Sec. 240.0-11.
    * * * * *
        21. By amending Sec. 240.14c-101 by revising the cover page to read 
    as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 240.14c-101  Schedule 14C. Information required in information 
    statement.
    
    Schedule 14C Information
    
    Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Securities 
    Exchange Act of 1934
    
    (Amendment No.    )
    
    Check the appropriate box:
    [  ]  Preliminary Information Statement
    [  ]  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by 
    Rule 14c-5(d)(2))
    [  ]  Definitive Information Statement
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    (Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)
    
    Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
    [  ]  No fee required
    [  ]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) 
    and 0-11
        (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction 
    applies:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction 
    computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on 
    which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (5) Total fee paid:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    [  ]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
    [  ]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by 
    Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the 
    offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by 
    registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date 
    of its filing.
        (1) Amount Previously Paid:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (3) Filing Party:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        (4) Date Filed:
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        Note * * *
    * * * * *
    
    
    Sec. 240.15d-11  [Amended]
    
        22. By amending Sec. 240.15d-1 by removing the last sentence.
    
    PART 249--FORMS, SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    
        23. The authority citation for Part 249 continues to read in part 
    as follows:
    
        Authority: 15 U.S.C. 78, et seq., unless otherwise noted;
    * * * * *
    
    
    Sec. 249.240   [Amended]
    
        24. By amending Form 40-F (referenced in Sec. 249.240f) by removing 
    paragraph D.(5) of General Instructions and redesignating paragraphs 
    D.(6), D.(7), D.(8), D.(9) and D.(10) as paragraphs D.(5), D.(6), 
    D.(7), D.(8) and D.(9).
    
        Note: The text of Form 40-F does not appear and this amendment 
    will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations.
    
    [[Page 49961]]
    
    PART 250--GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS, PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING 
    COMPANY ACT OF 1935
    
        25. The authority citation for Part 250 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 15 U.S.C. 79c, 79f(b), 79i(c)(3), 79t, unless 
    otherwise noted.
    
    
    Sec. 250.1   [Amended]
    
        26. Section 250.1 is amended by removing paragraph (d).
    
    
    Sec. 250.94   [Amended]
    
        27. Section 250.94 is amended by removing paragraph (b).
    
    
    Sec. 250.106   [Removed]
    
        28. Section 250.106 is removed and reserved.
    
    
    Sec. 250.107   [Removed]
    
        29. Section 250.107 is removed and reserved.
    
    PART 259--FORMS PRESCRIBED UNDER THE PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY 
    ACT OF 1935
    
        30. The authority citation for Part 259 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 15 U.S.C. 79e, 79f, 79g, 79j, 79l, 79m, 79n, 79q, 
    79t.
    
    
    Sec. 259.404   [Amended]
    
        31. The preamble to the Instructions for Form U-7D (referenced in 
    Sec. 259.404) is revised to read as follows:
    
        Note: The text of Form U-7D does not and this amendment will not 
    appear in the Code of Federal Regulations.
    Form U-7D
    * * * * *
    Instructions
        This form must be filed in triplicate within 30 days after 
    execution of any lease of a utility facility to an operating public-
    utility company. Rules 21 and 22 under the Act govern the 
    specifications. Official Form U-7D and these instructions specify the 
    contents.
    * * * * *
    
    PART 270--RULES AND REGULATIONS, INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
    
        32. The authority citation for Part 270 continues to read in part 
    as follows:
    
        Authority: 15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq., 80a-37, 80a-39 unless 
    otherwise noted;
    * * * * *
    
    
    Sec. 270.0-5   [Amended]
    
        33. Section 270.0-5 is amended by removing paragraph (d).
        34. By revising Sec. 270.0-8 to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 270.0-8   Payment of fees.
    
        All payment of fees shall be made in cash, certified check or by 
    United States postal money order, bank cashier's check or bank money 
    order payable to the Securities and Exchange Commission, omitting the 
    name or title of any official of the Commission. Payment of fees 
    required by this section shall be made in accordance with the 
    directions set forth in Sec. 202.3a of this chapter.
    * * * * *
    
    
    Sec. 270.8b-6   [Removed]
    
        35. Section 270.8b-6 is removed and reserved.
        36. Sec. 270.24f-2 is amended by removing paragraph (a)(3), 
    redesignating paragraph (a)(4) as paragraph (a)(3), and revising newly 
    designated paragraph (a)(3) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 270.24f-2   Registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of an 
    indefinite number of certain investment company securities.
    
    * * * * *
        (a) * * *
        (3) If such registration statement also registers a definite number 
    or amount of securities, there shall be paid to the Commission with 
    respect to such definite amount of securities a registration fee 
    calculated in the manner specified in section 6(b) of the Securities 
    Act of 1933, (15 U.S.C. 77f(b)) and the rules and regulations 
    thereunder.
    * * * * *
    
    
    Sec. 270.30a-1   [Amended]
    
        37. Section 270.30a-1 is amended by removing the third sentence.
    
    
    Sec. 270.30b1-1   [Amended]
    
        38. Section 270.30b1-1 is amended by removing the second sentence.
    
    
    Sec. 270.30b1-3   [Amended]
    
        39. Section 270.30b1-3 is amended by removing the last sentence.
    
    PART 239--FORMS PRESCRIBED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
    
        40. The authority citation for Part 239 continues to read in part 
    as follows:
    
        Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77s, 77sss, 78c, 78l, 
    78m, 78n, 78o(d), 78w(a), 78ll(d), 79e, 79f, 79g, 79j, 79l, 79m, 
    79n, 79q, 79t, 80a-8, 80a-29, 80a-30 and 80a-37, unless otherwise 
    noted.
    * * * * *
    
    PART 274--FORMS PRESCRIBED UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
    
        41. The authority citation for Part 274 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77s, 78c(b), 78l, 78m, 
    78n, 78o(d), 80a-8, 80a-24, and 80a-29, unless otherwise noted.
    
    
    Sec. 239.15A  [Amended]
    
    
    Sec. 274.11A  [Amended]
    
        42. General Instruction B of Form N-1A (referenced in Secs. 239.15A 
    and 274.11A) is amended by removing the second and third sentences.
    
        Note: The text of Form N-1A does not and these amendments will 
    not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations.
    
    
    Sec. 239.14  [Amended]
    
    
    Sec. 274.11a-1  [Amended]
    
        43. General Instruction B of Form N-2 (referenced in Secs. 239.14 
    and 274.11a-1) is amended by removing the second and third sentences.
    
        Note: The text of Form N-2 does not and these amendments will 
    not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations.
    
    
    Sec. 239.17a  [Amended]
    
    
    Sec. 274.11b  [Amended]
    
        44. General Instruction B of Form N-3 (referenced in Secs. 239.17a 
    and 274.11b) is amended by removing the second and third sentences.
    
        Note: The text of Form N-3 does not and these amendments will 
    not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations.
    
    
    Sec. 239.17b  [Amended]
    
    
    Sec. 274.11c  [Amended]
    
        45. General Instruction B of Form N-4 (referenced in Secs. 239.17b 
    and 274.11c) is amended by removing the second and third sentences.
    
        Note: The text of Form N-4 does not and these amendments will 
    not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations.
    
    
    Sec. 249.330  [Amended]
    
    
    Sec. 274.101  [Amended]
    
        46. General Instruction C of Form N-SAR (referenced in 
    Secs. 249.330 and 274.101) is amended by removing the third 
    undesignated paragraph.
    
    
    Sec. 249.330  [Amended]
    
    
    Sec. 274.101  [Amended]
    
        47. General Instruction G of Form N-SAR (referenced in 
    Secs. 249.330 and 274.101) is amended by removing paragraph (5).
    
        Note: The text of Form N-SAR does not and these amendments will 
    not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations.
    
    PART 275--RULES AND REGULATIONS, INVESTMENT ADVISERS ACT OF 1940
    
        48. The authority citation for Part 275 continues to read in part 
    as follows:
    
    
    [[Page 49962]]
    
    
        Authority: 15 U.S.C. 80b-3, 80b-4, 80b-6A, 80b-11, unless 
    otherwise noted.
    * * * * *
    
    
    Sec. 275.0-5  [Amended]
    
        49. Section 275.0-5 is amended by removing paragraph (d) and 
    redesignating paragraph (e) as paragraph (d).
    
    
    Sec. 275.203-3  [Removed]
    
        50. Section 275.203-3 is removed.
    
        Dated: September 17, 1996.
    
        By the Commission.
    Margaret H. McFarland,
    Deputy Secretary.
    [FR Doc. 96-24368 Filed 9-23-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 8010-01-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
10/7/1996
Published:
09/24/1996
Department:
Securities and Exchange Commission
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
96-24368
Dates:
October 7, 1996.
Pages:
49957-49962 (6 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Release Nos. 33-7331, 34-37692, 35-26575, IC-22224, IA-1578, File No. S7-14-96
RINs:
3235-AG79
PDF File:
96-24368.pdf
CFR: (44)
17 CFR 259.404)
17 CFR 230.111
17 CFR 230.236
17 CFR 230.252
17 CFR 230.604
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