E5-3865. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, Washington, DC 20549.

Extension:

Rule 17f-2(d); SEC File No. 270-36; OMB Control No. 3235-0028.

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 (“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 for extension and approval.

Rule 17f-2(d) was adopted on March 16, 1976, and was last amended on November 18, 1982. Paragraph (d) of the rule (i) requires that records produced pursuant to the fingerprinting requirements of Section 17(f)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) be maintained, (ii) permits the designated examining authorities of broker-dealers or members of exchanges, under certain circumstances, to store and maintain records required to be kept by this rule, and (iii) permits the required records to be maintained on microfilm.

The general purpose for Rule 17f-2 is: (i) to identify security risk personnel; (ii) to provide criminal record information so that employers can make fully informed employment decisions; and (iii) to deter persons with criminal records from seeking employment or association with covered entities.

Retention of fingerprint records, as required under paragraph (d) of the Rule, enables the Commission or other examining authority to ascertain whether all required persons are being fingerprinted and whether proper procedures regarding fingerprint are being followed. Retention of these records for the term of employment of all personnel plus three years ensures that law enforcement officials will have easy access to fingerprint cards on a timely basis. This in turn acts as an effective deterrent to employee misconduct.

Approximately 9,468 respondents are subject to the recordkeeping requirements of the rule. Each respondent keeps approximately 32 new records per year, which takes approximately 2 minutes per record for the respondent to maintain, for an annual burden of 64 minutes per respondent. All records subject to the rule must be retained for the term of employment plus 3 years. The Commission estimates that the total annual cost to submitting entities is approximately $196,850. This figure reflects estimated costs of labor and storage of records.

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 R. Corey Booth, Director/Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549.

Dated: July 13, 2005.

J. Lynn Taylor,

Assistant Secretary.