02-30039. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the American Stock Exchange LLC Relating to Member Transaction Charges for Exchange-Traded Funds

November 19, 2002.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”),^[1] and Rule 19b-4 ^[2] thereunder, notice is hereby given that on November 4, 2002, the American Stock Exchange LLC (“Exchange” or “Amex”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by Amex. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

Amex proposes to add Treasury 10 FITR ETF, Treasury 5 FITR ETF, Treasury 2 FITR ETF, and Treasury 1 FITR ETF to the list of Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) for which the Exchange pays non-reimbursed fees to third parties (included in Note 4 to the Amex Equity Fee Schedule). The Exchange is also amending Item 9 and Note 4 to the Equity Fee Schedule to add reference to Portfolio Depositary Receipts.

The text of the proposed rule change is available at Amex and at the Commission.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

In its filing with the Commission, Amex included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. Amex has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

The Exchange has included in Note 4 to the Amex Equity Fee Schedule a list of ETFs that are subject to transaction charges set forth in Item 9 to the Equity Fee Schedule relating to ETFs for which the Exchange pays unreimbursed fees to a third party.^[3] The Exchange is adding to this list Treasury 10 FITR ETF, Treasury 5 FITR ETF, Treasury 2 FITR ETF, and Treasury 1 FITR ETF.

The Exchange is also amending Item 9 and Note 4 to the Equity Fee Schedule, as filed in SR-Amex-2002-81, to add reference to Portfolio Depositary Receipts, which was inadvertently omitted from Item 9 and Note 4. As noted in SR-Amex-2002-81, the fees that are the subject of that filing include ETFs, Portfolio Depositary Receipts and Index Fund Shares, for which Amex pays a non-reimbursed fee.

2. Basis

The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6 of the Act,^[4] in general, and with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,^[5] in particular, in that it is designed to provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its members and issuers and other persons using its facilities.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

Amex does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

No comments were solicited nor received with respect to the proposed rule change.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action

The foregoing proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act ^[6] and subparagraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 ^[7] thereunder, because it establishes or changes a due, fee, or other charge. At any time within 60 days of November 4, 2002, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.^[8]

IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Persons making written submissions should file six copies thereof with the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549-0609. Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change, as amended, that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of Amex. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-Amex-2002-90 and should be submitted by December 18, 2002.

For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.^[9]

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  See Exchange Act Release No. 46764 (November 1, 2002), 67 FR 68704 (November 12, 2002) (SR-Amex-2002-81).

4.  15 U.S.C. 78f.

5.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).

6.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).

7.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).

8.  See 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(C).

9.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).