E7-8312. Self-Regulatory Organizations; American Stock Exchange LLC; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1 Thereto, To Amend Its Minor Rule Violation Fine Systems

April 26, 2007.

On February 21, 2007, the American Stock Exchange LLC (“Amex” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) ^[1] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[2] a proposed rule change to incorporate violations of Amex Rule 131A—AEMI and Commentary .03 to Amex Rule 958—ANTE into Part 1 of its Minor Rule Violation Fine Systems (“Plan”).^[3] On March 20, 2007, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change. The proposed rule change, as amended, was published for comment in the Federal Register on March 27, 2007.^[4] The Commission received no comments regarding the proposal. The Commission is approving the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1.

The Commission finds that the proposed rule change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities exchange.^[5] In particular, the Commission believes that the proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,^[6] because a rule that is reasonably designed to encourage members to comply with Exchange rules should help the Exchange carry out its supervisory responsibilities and thereby help protect investors and the public interest.

The Commission further believes that the proposal is consistent with Sections 6(b)(1) and 6(b)(6) of the Act,^[7] which require that the rules of an exchange enforce compliance with, and provide appropriate discipline for, violations of Commission and Exchange rules. In addition, because the Plan provides procedural rights to a person fined for any violation of an Exchange rule that is determined to be minor in nature to contest the fine and permits disciplinary proceedings on the matter, the Commission believes that the Plan, as amended by this proposal, provides a fair procedure for the disciplining of members and persons associated with members, consistent with Sections 6(b)(7) and 6(d)(1) of the Act.^[8]

Finally, the Commission finds that the proposal is consistent with the public interest, the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act, as required by Rule 19d-1(c)(2) under the Act,^[9] which governs minor rule violation plans. The Commission believes that the proposed change to the Plan will strengthen the Exchange's ability to carry out its oversight and enforcement responsibilities as a self-regulatory organization in cases where full disciplinary proceedings are unsuitable in view of the minor nature of the particular violation.

In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission in no way minimizes the importance of compliance with Amex rules and all other rules subject to the imposition of fines under the Exchange's Plan. The Commission believes that the violation of any self-regulatory organization's rules, as well as Commission rules, is a serious matter. However, the Plan provides a reasonable means of addressing rule violations that do not rise to the level of requiring formal disciplinary proceedings, while providing greater flexibility in handling certain violations. The Commission expects that Amex will continue to conduct surveillance with due diligence and make a determination based on its findings, on a case-by-case basis, whether a fine of more or less than the recommended amount is appropriate for a violation under the Plan or whether a violation requires formal disciplinary action.

It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act ^[10] and Rule 19d-1(c)(2) under the Act,^[11] that the proposed rule change (SR-Amex-2007-22), as modified by Amendment No. 1, be, and hereby is, approved and declared effective.

For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.^[12]

Florence E. Harmon,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  See Amex Rule 590.

4.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 55500 (March 21, 2007), 72 FR 14314.

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

6.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

7.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1) and 78f(b)(6).

8.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(7) and 78f(d)(1).

9.  17 CFR 240.19d-1(c)(2).

10.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

11.  17 CFR 240.19d-1(c)(2).

12.  See 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12); 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(44).