02-7294. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the Pacific Exchange, Inc. Relating to 30-Second ITS Commitment Expirations

March 19, 2002.

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 February 22, 2002, the Pacific Exchange, Inc. (“PCX” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission” or “SEC”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. 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

The Exchange, through its wholly owned subsidiary PCX Equities, Inc. (“PCXE”), proposes to amend PCXE Rule 7.66(b)(2)(F) to conform to the Seventeenth Amendment of the Intermarket Trading System (“ITS”) Plan, which provides for a 30-second commitment expiration period.^[3]

The text of the proposed rule change is available upon request from Office of the Secretary, the PCX and 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, 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 proposes to amend PCXE Rule 7.66(b)(2)(F) to provide for a 30-second commitment expiration period for orders received through the ITS, consistent with the Seventeenth Amendment to the ITS Plan. The Exchange notes that the 30-second commitment expiration period is a six-month pilot program under the ITS Plan that commenced on January 7, 2002 and would remain available until the last trading day of the sixth full calendar month following such commencement.

Presently, PCXE Rule 7.66(b)(2)(F) provides that the sender of an ITS commitment may designate a time period during which a commitment will be irrevocable following acceptance by the system. The ITS Plan provides for three irrevocable time-period options consisting of 30-seconds (or “T-30s”), one minute and two minutes. Accordingly, PCX proposes to replace the current rule text in PCXE Rule 7.66(b)(2)(F), which states that there are “two” irrevocable time-period options, with the word “three” thereby making the rule text consistent with the ITS Plan.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with section 6(b) ^[4] of the Act in general, and furthers the objectives of section (b)(5) of the Act ^[5] in particular, in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to enhance competition and to protect investors and the public interest.

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

The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 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

Written comments on the proposed rule change were neither solicited nor received.

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

Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not (i) significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, and the Exchange provided the Commission with written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at least five business days prior to the filing date,^[6] it has become effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act ^[7] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.^[8] 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. 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 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 at the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the PCX.

All submissions should refer to File No. SR-PCX-2002-07 and should be submitted by April 17, 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 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 44903 (October 3, 2001), 66 FR 52159 (October 12, 2001) (order approving the Seventeenth Amendment of the ITS Plan). The ITS is a National Market System (“NMS”) plan, which was designed to facilitate intermarket trading in exchange-listed equity securities based on current quotation information emanating from the linked markets. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 19456 (January 27, 1983), 48 FR 4938 (February 3, 1983) (adopting the restated ITS Plan).

4.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

5.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

6.  On January 29, 2002, the PCX submitted a draft proposal and asked the Commission to consider the proposal pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder. 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A), 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). The Commission has agreed to accept the draft proposal as satisfying the 5-day pre-filing requirement pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6). 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

7.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

8.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

9.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).