E5-5725. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, Washington, DC 20549.

Extension:

Rule 10b-17; SEC File No. 270-427; OMB Control No. 3235-0476.

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 10b-17, Untimely announcements of record dates ( 17 CFR 240.10b-17)

Rule 10b-17 requires any issuer of a class of securities publicly traded by the use of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce or of the mails or of any facility of any national securities exchange to give notice of the following actions relating to such class of securities: (1) A dividend; (2) a stock split; or (3) a rights or other subscription offering. Notice shall be (1) given to the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; (2) in accordance with the procedures of the national securities exchange upon which the securities are registered; or (3) may be waived by the Commission.

The information required by Rule 10b-17 is necessary for the execution of the Commission's mandate under the Exchange Act to prevent fraudulent, manipulative, and deceptive acts and practices by broker-dealers. The consequence of not requiring the information collection pursuant to Rule 10b-17 is that sellers who have received distributions as recordholders may dispose of the cash or stock dividends or other rights received as recordholders without knowledge of possible claims of purchasers.

It is estimated that, on an annual basis, there are approximately 29,430 respondents and that each response takes about 10 minutes to complete, thus imposing approximately 4,905 burden hours annually (29,430 × 10 minutes). We believe that the average hourly cost to produce and file a response under the rule is about $50. Therefore, the annual reporting cost burden for complying with this rule is about $245,250 (4,905 × $50).

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 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 R. Corey Booth, Director/Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549.

Dated: October 7, 2005.

Jill M. Peterson,

Assistant Secretary.