01-19376. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by the International Securities Exchange LLC Repealing Listing

July 27, 2001.

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 July 12, 2001, the International Securities Exchange LLC (“Exchange” or “ISE”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. 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 ISE is proposing to repeal its rules providing procedures for the listing of new options.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

In its filing with the Commission, the ISE 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 test of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The ISE 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

The Exchange's application for registration as a national securities exchange included rules governing the listing of new options (“ISE Listing Rules”).^[3] With some modifications, these rules paralleled the Joint-Exchange Options Plan (“JEOP”) that the other options exchanges had filed with the Commission.^[4] These rules became effective upon the ISE's registration as a national securities exchange.^[5] Thereafter, the ISE, together with the four other options exchanges and the Options Clearing Corporation, submitted as Options Listing Procedures Plan (“OLPP”) establishing common listing procedures for the five exchanges.^[6] The Commission recently approved the OLPP,^[7] rendering the ISE Listing Rules obsolete. The purpose of the filing is to repeal the ISE Listing Rules.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act ^[8] in general and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) ^[9] in particular in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, remove impediments to a free and open market and a national market system, and protect investors and the public interest.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

The ISE does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any inappropriate burden on competition.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

No written comments were either solicited or received.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action

Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act^[10] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6)^[11] thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the 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.

A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6)^[12] does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of filing or such shorter time as the Commission may designate if such action in consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. Because the OLPP is now effective and the ISE Listing Rules are not consistent with the OLPP, the ISE requested that the Commission accelerate the implementation of the proposed rule change so that it may take effect without the five-day notice period and prior to the 30 days specified in Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii).^[13] The Commission believes that it is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest and therefore finds good cause to accelerate the operative date of the proposed rule change. Acceleration of the operative date will permit the Exchange to implement the OLPP without undue delay. For these reasons, the Commission finds good cause to designate that the proposal became operative immediately upon filing.^[14]

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. 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 ISE. All submissions should refer to the File No. SR-ISE-2001-21 and should be submitted by August 24, 2001.

For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.¹⁵

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  See Exhibit B to Amendment No. 2 to the ISE's Form 1, filed with the Commission on February 17, 2000.

4.  In September 1991, the Commission approved the JEOP for the selecting, listing, challenging, and arbitrating the eligibility of new standardized equity options filed by the American Stock Exchange LLC (“Amex”), Chicago Board Options Exchange, Inc. (“CBOE”), New York Stock Exchange, Inc., Pacific Exchange, Inc. (“PCX”), and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. (“Phlx”). See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 29698 (September 17, 1991), 56 FR 48594 (September 25, 1991).

5.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 42455 (February 24, 2000); 65 FR 11387 (March 2, 2000).

6.  The Commission directed the Amex, CBOE, PCX, and Phlx to amend the JEOP to eliminate advance notice to other markets of the intention to list a new or existing option; to eliminate any provisions of the JEOP that prevent a market from commencing to list or trade any option listed on another market or an option that another market has expressed an intent to list; and to eliminate any provisions of the JEOP that allow one market to delay the commencement of trading of an option by another market. See Section IV.B.a of the Order Instituting Public Administrative Proceedings Pursuant to Section 19(h)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Making Findings and Imposing Sanctions, Securities Exchange Act Release No. 43268 (September 11, 2000).

7.  Securities Exchange Act Release No. 44521 (July 6, 2001), 66 FR 36809 (July 13, 2001).

8.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

9.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

10.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

11.  17 CFR 240.19-4(f)(6).

12.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

13.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).

14.  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. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

15.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).