01-19379. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Chane by the Pacific Exchange, Inc. Withdrawing From the Joint-Exchange Options Plan

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 June 27, 2001, the Pacific Exchange, Inc. (“PCX” or “Exchange”) 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 PCX. 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 PCX proposes to withdraw from the Joint-Exchange Options Plan (“JEOP”)^[3] upon Commission approval of the proposed Options Listing Procedures Plan (“OLPP”).^[4]

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 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 maybe 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 Organizaton's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

In January 2001, the options exchanges, including the PCX, submitted a proposed OLPP to replace the JEOP as directed by the Order.^[5] . The JEOP provided joint procedures to facilitate the orderly introduction of new equity options and established a mechanism to ensure that only eligible securities were selected for options trading. The OLPP eliminates various JEOP provisions that the Commission found objectionable, as specified in the Order. Therefore, the PCX has filed the proposed rule change to withdraw from the JEOP, effective as of the date of approval of the OLPP by the Commission. The Commission approved the OLPP on July 6, 2001.^[6]

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act ^[7] in general and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5)^[8] 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 Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition.

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

Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Sigificantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competion; (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate; and the Exchange has given the Commission written notice of its intention to file the proposed rule change at least five business days prior to filing, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act ^[9] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6)^[10] 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, in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

The Exchange has requested that the Commission accelerate the operative date and to waive the fiveday pre-filing requirement so that the proposed rule change may take effect upon approval of the OLPP by the Commission. 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 and to waive the five day pre-filing requirement. Acceleration of the operative date and waiving the pre-filing requirement 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 Commission approval of the OLPP.^[11]

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 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 the File No. SR-PCX-2001-27 and should be submitted by August 24, 2001.

For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.^[12]

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  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., PCX, and Philadel;hia Stock Exchange, Inc. (“Phlx”). See Securities Exchange Act Release no. 29698 (September 17, 1991), 56 FR 48594 (September 25, 1991).

4.  The Commission directed the PCX, Amex, CBOE, and Phlx to amend the JEOP to eliminate advance notice to other markets of theintention 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 b anothermarket. See Section IV.B.a of the Order Institutig 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) (“Order”).

5.  See Exchange Act Release No. 44287 (May 10, 2001), 66 FR 27184 (May 16, 2001).

6.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 4521 (July 6, 2001, 66 FR 36809 (July 13, 2001).

7.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

8.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

9.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

10.  17 CFR 240.19-4(f)(6).

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

12.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).