E6-18953. Self-Regulatory Organizations; American Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Eliminate Certain Licensing Fees

November 2, 2006.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) ^[1] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[2] notice is hereby given that on October 30, 2006, the American Stock Exchange LLC (“Amex” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. Amex has designated this proposal as one establishing or changing a due, fee, or other charge imposed by a self-regulatory organization pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act ^[3] and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) thereunder,^[4] which renders the proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. 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 modify its Options Fee Schedule and its Exchange-Traded Fund (“ETF”) and Trust Issued Receipts Fee Schedule to eliminate certain licensing fees.

The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Internet Web site (http://www.amex.com), at the Exchange's principal office, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange 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. The Exchange 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 is proposing to amend its Options Fee Schedule to eliminate the licensing fee of $0.10 a contract which is currently charged on (1) options on the S&P 500 Index Tracking Stock® (“SPY®”) and (2) options on the Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock® (“QQQQ®”). The Exchange is proposing to retroactively eliminate the licensing fee applicable to the SPY options as of the close of business on September 29, 2006. The Exchange is also proposing to retroactively eliminate the licensing fee applicable to the QQQQ options as of the close of business on October 11, 2006. The Exchange is proposing the termination of these licensing fees because said licensing fees are no longer being imposed on the Amex.^[5]

The Exchange is further proposing to eliminate the licensing fee of $0.10 a contract on the options on the SPDR O-Strip ETF. The Exchange further proposes to modify its Exchange-Traded Fund and Trust Issued Receipts Fee Schedule to eliminate the references to the SPDR O-Strip ETF, which has been delisted. The Exchange asserts that the proposal is equitable as required by Section 6(b)(4) of the Act.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed fee change is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act ^[6] regarding the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its members and other persons using its facilities.

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

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change will not impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

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

No written comments were solicited or 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 ^[7] and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) thereunder ^[8] because it establishes or changes a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, 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.

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

Electronic Comments

• Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/​rules/​sro.shtml); or
• Send an e-mail to [e-mail]. Please include File No. SR-Amex-2006-104 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

• Send paper comments in triplicate to Nancy M. Morris, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, Station Place, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Amex-2006-104. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commissions Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/​rules/​sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change 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 the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of Amex. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-Amex-2006-104 and should be submitted on or before November 30, 2006.

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

Nancy M. Morris,

Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).

4.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).

5.  The Exchange has represented that the licensing agreements for the SPY options and the QQQQ options were eliminated on September 29, 2006 and October 11, 2006, respectively. Email communication from Nyieri Nazarian, Assistant General Counsel, Amex, to Leah Mesfin, Special Counsel, Division of Market Regulation, Commission, on November 1, 2006.

6.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).

7.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).

8.  17 CFR 19b-4(f)(2).

9.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).