04-7672. Agency Information Collection Activities: Notice of Intent To Renew Collection 3038-0049, Procedural Requirements for Requests for Interpretative, No-Action, and Exemptive Letters

AGENCY:

Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on requirements relating to procedures for submitting requests for exemptive, no-action, and interpretative letters.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before June 7, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be mailed to Christopher W. Cummings, Division of Clearing and Intermediary Oversight, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, 1155 21st Street, NW., Washington, DC 20581.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Chrristopher W. Cummings, [phone]; FAX: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA, Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. “Collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A), requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, the CFTC is publishing notice of the proposed collection of information listed below.

With respect to the following collection of information, the CFTC invites comments on:

• Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information will have a practical use;
• The accuracy of the Commission's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
• Ways to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• Ways to minimize the burden of collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Procedural Requirements for Requests for Interpretative, No-Action, and Exemptive Letters, OMB Control Number 3038-0049—Extension

Commission Rule 140.99 requires persons submitting requests for exemptive, no-action, and interpretative letters to provide specific written information, certified as to completeness and accuracy, and to update that information to reflect material changes. The proposed rule was promulgated pursuant to the Commission's rulemaking authority contained in Section 8a(5) of the Commodity Exchange Act, 7 U.S.C. 12a(5) (1994).

The Commission estimates the burden of this collection of information as follows:

Estimated Annual Reporting Burden

17 CFR section	Annual number of respondents	Frequency of response	Total annual responses	Hours per response	Total hours
17 CFR 140.99	350	On occasion	455	7.0	3,185
17 CFR 41.41	60	On occasion	24	0.5	12

There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection.

This estimate is based on the number of requests for such letters in the last three years. Although the burden varies with the type, size, and complexity of the request submitted, such request may involve analytical work and analysis, as well as the work of drafting the request itself.

Dated: March 30, 2004.

Jean A. Webb,

Secretary of the Commission.