E7-1947. Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change Relating to NYSE Regulation, Inc. Policies Regarding Exercise of Power To Fine NYSE Member Organizations and Use of Money Collected ...

January 31, 2007.

On December 6, 2006, the New York Stock Exchange LLC (“Exchange” or “NYSE”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) a proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) ^[1] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[2] to adopt internal procedures for NYSE Regulation, Inc. (“NYSE Regulation”) to assure the proper exercise by NYSE Regulation of its power to fine member organizations of the Exchange and the proper use by NYSE Regulation of the funds so collected. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on December 29, 2006.^[3] The Commission received no comments on the proposal. This order approves the proposed rule change.

The Commission has reviewed carefully the proposed rule change and finds that it is consistent with the requirements of Section 6 of the Act ^[4] and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange.^[5] In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,^[6] which requires that the rules of the exchange provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among the exchange's members and issuers and other persons using its facilities. The Commission also finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,^[7] which requires, among other things, that the rules of the exchange be designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.

The Commission believes that the proposed rule change should help to increase transparency regarding the processes NYSE Regulation has in place to ensure that the power of the Exchange, through NYSE Regulation, to impose fines on its members for disciplinary violations is exercised appropriately, and particularly to guard against the possibility that fines may be assessed to respond to budgetary needs rather than to serve a disciplinary purpose.

It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,^[8] that the proposed rule change (SR-NYSE-2006-109) is approved.

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

Florence E. Harmon,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55003 (December 22, 2006), 71 FR 78497 (“Notice”).

4.  15 U.S.C. 78f.

5.  In approving this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

6.  15 U.S.C 78f(b)(4).

7.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

8.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

9.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).