02-15710. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the Pacific Exchange, Inc. Relating to a One-Year Extension of the Auto-Ex Book Function Pilot Program

June 17, 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 June 4, 2002, the Pacific Exchange, Inc. (“PCX” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by PCX. PCX filed the proposed rule change pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act ^[3] and rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder,^[4] which renders the proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. 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 is proposing to extend the Automatic Execution System (“Auto-Ex”) Book function pilot program for one year. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the PCX and at 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, PCX 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 PCX 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

On June 22, 2001, the Commission approved a one-year pilot program for the operation of the Exchange's Auto-Ex Book function.^[5] The pilot program is currently set to expire on June 22, 2002.

The Auto-Ex Book function permits orders in the Limit Order Book to be executed via the Auto-Ex system when those orders become marketable subject to certain procedures. The function may be used when one or more orders in the Limit Order Book become marketable, as indicated by a locked or crossed market being displayed on the trading floor. When this occurs, the Lead Market Maker may direct the Order Book Official to initiate the Auto-Ex Book function, which will cause marketable orders in the Limit Order Book to be automatically executed against the accounts of market makers who are participating on the Auto-Ex system at the time.

The Exchange is requesting an extension of the pilot program for one year from June 22, 2002 to June 22, 2003. The added time permits the Exchange an opportunity to continue reviewing and evaluating the program. The Auto-Ex book function is operating as intended and provides a service to both customers and members by facilitating the execution of orders in the Limit Order Book. This function is often used in fast markets to provide quicker executions of booked orders thereby maintaining a fair and orderly market. The Exchange believes that this program is operating successfully and without any problems, and on that basis, the Exchange believes that a one-year extension of the program is warranted.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule changes are consistent with section 6(b)^[6] of the Act, in general, and further the objectives of section 6(b)(5),^[7] in particular, in that they are designed to facilitate transactions in securities, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system.

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

The Exchange has designated the foregoing rule change as effecting a change that: (1) Does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (2) does not impose any significant burden on competition; and (3) by its terms does not become operative for 30 days from the date of filing. In addition, the Exchange provided the Commission with written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at least five days prior to the filing date. Accordingly, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act ^[8] and rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.^[9] At any time within 60 days of the filing of such 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.

PCX has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day waiting period, and that the extension become operative on or before June 22, 2002. The Commission believes waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest.^[10] Acceleration of the operative date will permit the Auto-Ex Book function pilot to continue uninterrupted. For these reasons, the Commission designates the proposal to be operative on June 22, 2002.

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 in 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. PCX-2002-29 and should be submitted by July 12, 2002.

For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.^[11]

Jill M. Peterson,

Assistant Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

4.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

5.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 44468 (June 22, 2001), 66 FR 34505 (June 28, 2001).

6.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

7.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

8.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

9.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

10.  For purposes only of accelerating the operative date of this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

11.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).