2021-13508. 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 301 of Regulation ATS

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (“PRA”) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) is soliciting comments on the existing collection of information provided for in Rule 301 of Regulation ATS (17 CFR 242.301) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) (“Exchange Act”). The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) for extension and approval.

Regulation ATS provides a regulatory structure for alternative trading systems. Rule 301 of Regulation ATS contains certain record keeping and reporting requirements, as well as additional obligations that apply only to alternative trading systems with significant volume. The Rule requires all alternative trading systems that wish to comply with Regulation ATS to file an initial operations report on Form ATS. Alternative trading systems are also required to supply updates on Form ATS to the Commission describing material changes to the system, file quarterly transaction reports on Form ATS-R, and file cessation of operations reports on Form ATS. An alternative trading system with significant volume is required to comply with requirements for fair access and systems capacity, integrity, and security. Rule 301 also imposes certain requirements pertaining to written safeguards and procedures to protect subscribers' confidential trading information.

The Commission staff estimates that entities subject to the requirements of Rule 301 will spend a total of approximately 2,687 hours a year to comply with the Rule.

Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's estimates of the burden of the proposed 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.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information under the PRA unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

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: June 21, 2021.

J. Matthew DeLesDernier,

Assistant Secretary.