2020-11596. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of FOIA Services, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549-2736

Extension:

Rule 203-3, Form ADV-H, SEC File No. 270-481, OMB Control No. 3235-0538

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) is soliciting comments on the collection of information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) for extension and approval.

The title for the collection of information is “Form ADV-H under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.” Rule 203-3 (17 CFR 275.203-3) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80b) requires that registered advisers requesting either a temporary or continuing hardship exemption submit the request on Form ADV-H. Rule 204-4 (17 CFR 275.204-4) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 requires that exempt reporting advisers requesting a temporary hardship exemption submit the request on Form ADV-H. The purpose of this collection of information is to permit advisers to obtain a hardship exemption to not complete an electronic filing. The temporary hardship exemption that is available to registered advisers under rule 203-3 and exempt reporting advisers under rule 204-4 permits these advisers to make late filings due to unforeseen computer or software problems. The continuing hardship exemption available to registered advisers under rule 203-3 permits advisers to submit all required electronic filings on hard copy for data entry by the operator of the IARD.

The Commission has estimated that compliance with the requirement to complete Form ADV-H imposes a total burden of approximately one hour for an adviser. Based on our experience, we estimate that we will receive fifteen Form ADV-H filings annually from registered investment advisers and one Form ADV-H filing annually from exempt reporting advisers. Based on the 60 minute per respondent estimate, the Commission estimates a total annual burden of 16 hours for this collection of information.

Rule 203-3, rule 204-4, and Form ADV-H do not require recordkeeping or records retention. The collection of information requirements under the rule and form are mandatory. The information collected pursuant to the rule and Form ADV-H consists of filings with the Commission. These filings are not kept confidential. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number.

Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted in writing within 60 days of this publication.

Please direct your written comments to David Bottom, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, C/O Cynthia Roscoe, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549; or send an email to: [e-mail].

Dated: May 26, 2020.

J. Matthew DeLesDernier,

Assistant Secretary.